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Discovered + Deflection Combinations

A discovered attack and a deflection combine when one move does two jobs. The discovered check forces the king away, and the moving piece captures the deflected target.

A discovered check wins a queen

The bishop moves from e2 to c4 and uncovers a rook check on the king on e8. The king moves to f8, and the bishop captures the queen on d5. The check deflected the king, and the bishop took the queen.

FEN: 4k3/8/8/3q4/8/8/4B3/4R1K1 w - - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 . . . . k . . . 8
7 . . . . . . . . 7
6 . . . . . . . . 6
5 . . . q . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . B . . . 2
1 . . . . R . K . 1
  a b c d e f g h

A discovered check wins a queen on the wing

The bishop moves from e2 to f3 and uncovers a rook check on the king on e8. The king moves to d8, and the bishop captures the queen on g4. The check forced the king away, and the bishop took the queen.

FEN: 4k3/8/8/8/6q1/8/4B3/4R2K w - - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 . . . . k . . . 8
7 . . . . . . . . 7
6 . . . . . . . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . q . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . B . . . 2
1 . . . . R . . K 1
  a b c d e f g h

Key points

  • A discovered check forces the king to move.
  • The king's move can deflect it from defending a piece.
  • The moving piece can capture that piece next.
  • A discovered attack can also deflect a defender.
  • A combination is two tactics in one sequence.
  • A combination works when the opponent cannot answer both threats.
  • Calculate the combination to the capture, not just to the check.

Try it Yourself

Edit the code, then press Run.

Running is simulated · Rust Playground

Exercise

White to move. Which bishop move combines a discovered check with an attack on the queen on d5?