Skewer

A skewer is a tactic in which an attacker forces a more valuable enemy piece to move along a shared rank, file, or diagonal, thereby exposing a less valuable piece behind it to capture.

Category
Tactics
Difficulty
Beginner
Also known as
reverse pin, x-ray attack

A skewer is a tactic in which a long-range piece attacks two enemy pieces aligned on the same rank, file, or diagonal. The more valuable piece stands in front. When forced to move, it exposes the less valuable piece behind it to capture.

The attacker gains material because the front piece cannot remain on the line without being taken. The rear piece is then lost on the next move unless it can be protected or the attacker can be captured in return.

Skewers become especially forcing when the king occupies the front square. The check compels the king to step aside or capture the attacker, usually handing the attacker the piece that was hiding behind it.

Rooks and queens produce most skewers along open files and ranks. Bishops create them on diagonals. Spotting the pattern requires checking whether any two enemy pieces share a line with one of your long-range pieces attacking from behind the higher-value target.

Frequently asked questions

What is a skewer in chess?
A skewer is a tactic where a long-range piece attacks two enemy units on the same line, forcing the more valuable front piece to move and exposing the less valuable piece behind it to capture.
How does a skewer differ from a pin?
In a skewer the front piece must move and loses the piece behind it, whereas a pin usually keeps the front piece from moving to avoid exposing the more valuable piece behind.
Why are king skewers especially strong?
When the king stands in front, the check forces it to move or capture, typically handing the attacker the piece hidden behind it on the next move.
Which pieces create skewers and on which lines?
Rooks and queens produce skewers on ranks and files while bishops create them on diagonals; the attacker must stand behind the higher-value target.

See also

  • Battery — A battery consists of two or more same-colour pieces aligned on a file, rank or diagonal, with the stronger piece behind, so the front unit can move to unleash the rear piece’s concentrated pressure.
  • Deflection — Deflection is a tactic that forces an opposing piece to abandon a key square or defensive duty, exposing a weakness the attacker can immediately exploit.
  • Discovered Attack — A discovered attack occurs when one piece moves off a line and uncovers an attack from a second piece standing behind it on the same rank, file or diagonal.
  • Fork — A fork is a tactic in which one piece attacks two or more enemy pieces at once, usually winning material because only one threat can be met on the next move.
  • Pin — A pin occurs when a long-range piece attacks an enemy unit that shields a more valuable piece or the king on the same line, leaving the attacked unit immobilised.
  • X-Ray Attack — An X-ray attack occurs when a piece attacks through an opposing piece to threaten a more valuable target behind it on the same rank, file or diagonal.

Referenced by

  • X-Ray — An X-ray is a tactical motif where a piece attacks through an enemy unit to control or threaten a square or piece behind it, akin to a skewer.

Written by Chesswick.

Reviewed by Maria Russell.

Published
Last updated

About the reviewer

Maria Russell

Maria didn't grow up dreaming of chess. She grew up dreaming of getting through bedtime without a meltdown, and chess just happened to be the thing that worked.

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