Chess Tactics, Explained on Real Boards

Every pattern below is explained with detector-verified positions: what it is, why it works, the squares to watch, and how to train it out of your own games. No puzzle-site fluff, no memorizing solutions to positions you will never see again.

• ForkTwo threats from one move, and only one reply to answer them.
• Knight ForkOne jump, two targets, and nothing between them to block.
• PinFreeze a piece against what stands behind it, then take what it was guarding.
• SkewerThe pin reversed: the valuable piece in front, the loot behind it.
• Discovered AttackMove one piece, and the piece hiding behind it does the damage.
• Back-Rank MateThe pawns that shield your king are the same pawns that seal the exits.
• Hanging PieceAttacked, undefended, and one count away from being free.
• Double AttackTwo threats in one move, and only one of them can be answered.
• ZwischenzugThe recapture can wait. The check cannot.
• DeflectionEvery defender has a job. Deflection makes it choose.

Not sure which pattern is costing you games? The free scout report reads your recent games and names it.