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Basic Tactics

The Fork - Knight Forks

Knight forks are one of the more commonly seen forks. Examine the board below:

The White Knight can “fork” the Black King and Queen by playing Nd5+! Black must move the King out of check, and White captures the Queen on the next move. Click here for a demonstration.

Examine the board below:

The White Knight can play Nd5+! With this single move, the White Knight attacks Black’s King, Queen, and Rook. Black must move the King out of check, and White can capture either the Black Queen or Rook. Click here for a demonstration.

Of course, forks needn’t involve an attack on these pieces in particular, nor need it involve checking the enemy King. Replace the Black King in the first diagram with a Black Rook and it’s still a fork. Likewise, replace the Black King in the second diagram with a Black Bishop, and it’s still a fork.

Examine the board below:

Can the White Knight fork the Black’s Knight and Queen with Ne5? Well, kind of, but it’s pointless, since Black’s Knight can simply capture the White Knight. Click here for a demonstration.

Examine the board below:

Can the White Knight fork Black’s Rook and Queen with Nd6? Again, kind of, but Black has a saving in-between move with … Qe2+! Black moves the Queen to safety with check, which allows Black to move the Rook to safety after the White King is forced to move. Click here for a demonstration.

Next: Pawn Forks