Chess
A tactic is a trick that wins material, or even gives checkmate, in just a move or two. Most beginner games aren't lost because of a bad opening or a bad plan. They're lost because someone missed a tactic, or missed their own chance to play one. Here are the 16 most common ones, with diagrams and practice puzzles. When you're done, go hunt for them when you play chess online.
What is a tactic?
An ordinary move slowly improves your position. A tactic gets you something right now. Most tactics run on the same idea: give your opponent two threats at once. He can only deal with one.
Say your knight attacks the king and a rook at the same time. The king has to move, so the rook is lost. That's called a fork, and it's the most common tactic of all.
One piece attacks two targets
- ForkOne move attacks two pieces, and your opponent can only save one. The most common, most useful tactic.
- SkewerThe front piece is worth more, so it has to move when attacked, and the piece behind gets taken. A pin turned inside out.
- X-rayAn enemy piece stands on your rook, bishop or queen's line. The moment it moves, the line behind it opens.
- Double CheckTwo pieces check together. You can't block both or take both, so the king has to run. The strongest check there is.
Freezing an enemy piece
- PinA piece stands in front of the king or queen, and if it moves, the piece behind gets taken. A pinned piece is half dead.
- OverloadingOne enemy piece is guarding two things at once. Make it deal with one, and the other falls.
- InterferenceYour opponent guards a square along a line. Drop a piece into the middle of that line, and the protection is cut.
Move one piece, open a line
- Discovered AttackThe front piece steps aside, and the rook, bishop or queen behind it hits the target. One move, two threats.
- ClearanceYour own piece is blocking the best line or square. Give it away or move it aside so the piece behind can get in.
- BatteryQueen and bishop on one diagonal, or two rooks (or queen and rook) stacked on one file. The front piece charges in, the back piece covers it.
- WindmillRook and bishop team up, alternating a discovered check and a direct rook check. It spins like a windmill, grabbing a piece every turn.
Luring pieces away or into place
- DecoyGive up a piece to force the enemy king or queen onto a square where it gets forked or mated.
- DeflectionOne enemy piece is guarding an important square. Force it to leave, and that square falls.
- SacrificeHand your opponent a piece on purpose, and get checkmate, more material back, or a strong attack in return.
Tricks of timing
- ZwischenzugYour opponent expects you to recapture, but you play something stronger first, usually a check. Grab the profit, then take back.
- DesperadoWhen a piece can't be saved, let it grab whatever it can before it gets taken.
How to practice tactics
- Before every move, look at checks, captures and threats, for both you and your opponent. Many tactics hide inside those three kinds of moves.
- When you see two pieces that nobody is guarding, ask whether you can attack both at once.
- Solve lots of puzzles. Every article ends with practice puzzles. The answers are hidden, so think first.
- Use them in real games. When you play the computer, look for chances on purpose. If you lose, take back moves and see what you missed.
Tactics often end in checkmate. The common mating patterns have their own section.
FAQ
What's the difference between tactics and strategy?
Tactics are tricks that win something within a move or two, like a fork or a pin. Strategy is the long-term plan, like your pawn structure or putting pieces on good squares. Beginners improve fastest by practicing tactics first.
Which tactic should a beginner learn first?
Start with the fork and the pin. They come up the most, and they're the easiest to spot in your own games.
Want more practice? Open free online chess and play the computer. Looking for other lessons? Head back to the chess home page.