10 Basic Chess Tactics
Chess Tactics
1) Fork
In chess, a fork is a tactic where a single piece attacks two or more enemy pieces at the same time, putting the opponent in a difficult situation where they must choose which piece to save or risk losing both.
2) Pin
In chess, a pin is a tactic where a piece is immobilized or "pinned" to its current position because moving it would expose a more valuable piece behind it to capture. The opponent's piece that is creating the pin is usually of lesser value than the piece being pinned.
3) Skewer
In chess, a skewer is a tactic similar to a pin, but the roles of the attacked and attacking pieces are reversed. In a skewer, a player attacks a valuable piece, forcing it to move, and revealing a less valuable piece behind it that can be captured on the next move.
4) Double Attack
In chess, a double attack is a tactic where a single move attacks two of the opponent's pieces at the same time. The pieces attacked could be of equal or different value. The opponent is then forced to choose which piece to save, and whichever one they don't save will be captured on the next move.
5) Discovered Attack
In chess, a discovered attack is a tactic where a piece is moved, revealing an attack by another piece behind it. The moved piece is called the "discovering piece," while the piece behind it that makes the attack is called the "discovered piece." The discovered attack can put the opponent's pieces or king under attack and lead to a material advantage for the player who executes the tactic.
Discovered attacks are powerful tactics because they allow a player to attack the opponent with two pieces at the same time, often forcing the opponent to lose material or make a move that weakens their position. Discovered attacks can be used to create forks, double attacks, or other tactical maneuvers.
6) X-ray Attack
In chess, an X-ray attack is a tactical maneuver where a piece indirectly attacks an enemy piece by lining up with it along a straight line, while the piece in between is of lesser value. The piece that creates the X-ray attack can then move or be removed, revealing the attacked piece to a direct attack from another piece.
X-ray attacks are powerful tactics because they can create threats to valuable pieces that the opponent may not be aware of, often forcing them to respond to multiple threats at once. They can also be used to prepare other tactical maneuvers, such as forks, double attacks, or discovered attacks.
7) Interference
In chess, interference is a tactic where a player disrupts the coordination between two or more of the opponent's pieces, by interposing a piece between them, blocking their line of communication or forcing them to move, and thereby creating a tactical advantage.
Interference is a powerful tactic because it can disrupt the opponent's plans and force them to make concessions, such as losing material or weakening their position. Interference can also be used in combination with other tactical maneuvers, such as double attacks, forks, and pins, to create more complex tactical situations.
8) Deflection
In chess, deflection is a tactical maneuver where a player diverts an opponent's piece from a square or position that it needs to protect or control. The objective of deflection is to create a weakness or opening in the opponent's position that can be exploited later.
Deflection is a powerful tactic because it can force the opponent to make a move that weakens their position or opens up new opportunities for the attacking player. Deflection can be used in combination with other tactical maneuvers, such as forks, double attacks, and discovered attacks, to create more complex tactical situations.
9) Back Rank Mate
Back rank mate is a common checkmate pattern that can occur in chess when a player's king is trapped on the back rank of their own side of the board and is unable to escape because of its own pieces
Back rank mates can be a common threat in the endgame and are an important tactical to be aware of in chess. Players must be careful not to leave their king vulnerable to this type of checkmate pattern.
10) Under Promotion
Underpromotion is a chess tactic where a player promotes a pawn to a piece other than a queen when it reaches the opposite end of the board. Typically, players promote their pawns to queens, as they are the most powerful piece. However, underpromotion involves promoting a pawn to a knight, bishop, or rook instead.
Underpromotion is a rare and advanced tactic that can catch opponents off guard and create unexpected threats. It is also a sign of a strong player who can recognize the best move, rather than simply promoting to the most powerful piece out of habit.
These are the 10 basic tactics you should know to improve your chess rating.
