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Basic Tactics

The Fork - Pawn Forks

Pawn forks are also relatively common. Examine the board below:

By playing e4! White’s pawn attacks both Black’s Knight and Rook. Black can move one piece to safety, but not both in one turn, and White wins a piece. Click here for a demonstration.

Examine the board below:

White’s pawn forks Black’s Bishop and Knight with 1. d4! Black’s best bet is to play 1… Bxd4, so that after 2. cxd4 Qxd4 Black only loses 1 point of material (remember, according to our point scale, a Bishop is worth 3 pawns). Click here for a demonstration.

Examine the board below:

Can the White pawn fork the Black’s Knight and Queen with d5? Well, kind of, but it’s pointless, since Black’s Queen can respond by simply capturing the White pawn. Click here for a demonstration.

Examine the board below:

Can the White pawn fork Black’s Knight and Rook with c5? Again, kind of, but Black has a saving in-between move with … Rh6+! Black moves the Rook to safety with check, which allows Black to move the Knight to safety after the White King is forced to move. Click here for a demonstration.

Next: Other Forks