Tactical motifs · Easy
skewer
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The idea
A pin turned inside out. The valuable piece stands in front, the cheaper one behind. The front piece is forced to move, and then the one behind it is taken.
The name says it: two enemy pieces are skewered on a single line, and the attack runs through both.
How it looks
A bishop gives check along the diagonal. The king stands in front, the queen right behind it on the same diagonal. The king has to move, and the bishop takes the queen.
It works along files and ranks too: a rook checks the king, and a queen or rook stands behind the king.
How to spot it
Look for two enemy pieces on one line where the front one is worth more than the one behind. It works best when the king is in front: he has to move, he has no choice.
Check your own position too: have your king and queen lined up? That is an invitation to a skewer.
Often confused with
A pin. Look at who stands behind. More valuable — pin. Less valuable — skewer.