Chess Skewer Attack:
Part of the Chess Tactics Guide

Skewer Types: Relative Skewer | Absolute Skewer

Chess Tactics Guide
Chess Skewer Attack
[Introduction]

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Chess Tactics Teaser - Skewer AttackThe aim of the Skewer Attack is to threaten a more-valuable piece into moving, so you can capture a less-valuable piece, which is in a direct line, behind the piece being attacked at the front.

The main target of a Skewer Attack is usually NOT the Piece at the front, but the Pawn or Piece behind - the one that's being shielded by the more-valuable Piece.

Skewer Attacks are performed by any of the three long-range pieces:

  • Bishop
  • Rook
  • Queen

Skewer Attacks may be Absolute, whereby the attack is against the enemy King, which stands in front of any Piece or Pawn. Or, it may be Relative, whereby the more-valuable Piece isn't the King, but stands in front of a less-valuable Piece or Pawn.

Below, you can watch a series of mocked-up Skewer Attacks, for each of the three pieces, with both a Relative and Absolute alternative ...

Chess Skewer Attack Index

Relative Skewer Attacks
These include attacks where their victim is a more-valuable Piece, which has been positioned in front of a less-valuable Pawn or Piece. However, being a Relative Skewer, the more-valuable Piece does not include the enemy King. See one Relative Skewer example played by each applicable Piece, respectively ...

  1. Relative Bishop Skewer (page 2)
    Relative Skewer Attack, Teaser, Bishop Skewer Attack Example.The Skewer Attack: White's Bc2 against Black's Re4, which stands inline, in front of Nh7.

  2. Relative Rook Skewer (page 3)
    Relative Skewer Attack, Teaser, Rook Skewer Attack Example.The Skewer Attack: White's Rf3 against Black's Bf5, which stands inline, in front of Nf8.

  3. Relative Queen Skewer (page 4)
    Relative Skewer Attack, Teaser, Queen Skewer Attack Example.The Skewer Attack: White's Qe4 against Black's Rd5, which stands inline, in front of Ra8.

Absolute Skewer Attacks
These include attacks where their victim is the enemy King, which has been positioned in front any adverse Pawn or Piece. See one Absolute Skewer example played by each applicable Piece, respectively ...

  1. Absolute Bishop Skewer (page 2)
    Absolute Skewer Attack, Teaser, Bishop Skewer Attack Example.The Skewer Attack: White's Bb3+ against Black's King (Kd5), which stands diagonally in front of Rg8.

    Being in check, in this situation, the King would have to move, letting the Rg8 be captured.

  2. Absolute Rook Skewer (page 3)
    Absolute Skewer Attack, Teaser, Rook Skewer Attack Example.The Skewer Attack: White's Rf3+ against Black's King (Kf5), which stands in front of Nf8.

    Being in check, in this situation, the King would have to move, letting the Ng8 be captured.

  3. Absolute Queen Skewer (page 4)
    Absolute Skewer Attack, Teaser, Queen Skewer Attack Example.The Skewer Attack: White's Qa8+ against Black's King (Kc6), which stands in front of Qe4.

    Being in check, in this situation, the King would have to move, letting the Qe4 be captured.

Pin Types: Relative Skewer | Absolute Skewer
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