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Skewer

A skewer is a pin in reverse. The valuable piece stands in front, and a weaker piece stands behind it.

A rook skewer wins a queen

The rook moves to e1 and gives check to the king on e5. The queen on e7 stands behind the king on the same file. The king moves to d6, and the rook captures the queen.

FEN: 8/4q3/8/4k3/8/8/8/R5K1 w - - 0 1

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

A bishop skewer wins a queen

The bishop moves from a3 to b2 and gives check to the king on d4. The queen on f6 stands behind the king on the same diagonal. The king moves to c5, and the bishop captures the queen.

FEN: 8/8/5q2/8/3k4/B7/8/6K1 w - - 0 1

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

Key points

  • A skewer attacks a valuable piece first.
  • The valuable piece must move away.
  • When it moves, the piece behind it is exposed.
  • The attacker then captures the exposed piece.
  • Kings are the usual front piece, because a check must be answered.
  • Queens are the usual front piece when no check is given.
  • A skewer wins material when the back piece cannot also escape.

Try it Yourself

Edit the code, then press Run.

Running is simulated · Rust Playground

Exercise

White to move. Which move starts the skewer of the king on e5 and the queen on e8?