What is Skewer in chess?
Like a pin in reverse: a valuable piece is attacked and must move, exposing a piece behind it.
Skewers usually win material because the more valuable piece is in front and has to step aside, leaving the piece behind it to be captured.
Spot skewer in your own games
Free. Chess2EZ finds the patterns you keep missing and explains each in plain English.
Analyze my games →More chess terms
- Discovered attackMoving one piece unveils an attack from another piece behind it.
- Double checkTwo pieces give check at the same time via a discovered attack.
- Double attackOne move creates two threats that the opponent cannot both stop.
- Zwischenzug (in-between move)An unexpected move inserted before the 'expected' recapture.
- DeflectionForcing a defending piece away from the square or piece it protects.
- DecoyLuring an enemy piece (often the king) to a bad square.