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Double Check

A double check is check from two pieces at once. The king must move, because no single block or capture stops both checks.

Knight and bishop double check

The knight on b7 blocks the bishop on a6. The knight jumps to d6. It gives check to the king on e8. The bishop also gives check along the newly opened diagonal. The king must move.

FEN: 4k3/1N6/B7/8/8/8/8/6K1 w - - 0 1

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

Rook and bishop double check

The rook moves from d2 to d6. It gives check to the king on h6 along the rank. The bishop on c1 also gives check along the newly opened diagonal. The king must move.

FEN: 8/8/7k/8/8/8/3R4/2B3K1 w - - 0 1

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

Key points

  • A double check checks the king with two pieces.
  • One check comes from the moving piece.
  • The other check is a discovered check.
  • A block cannot stop two checks on different lines.
  • Capturing one checking piece still leaves the other check.
  • The king must move to a safe square.
  • Double checks often win material or force a mate.

Try it Yourself

Edit the code, then press Run.

Running is simulated · Rust Playground

Exercise

White to move. Which move gives a double check to the king on e8?