Tactics
Have you ever dreamed of having superpowers? Well, tactics are like superpowers for chess players. And the good news is that you can train to get better at using those powers yourself to win more games!
Here is what you need to know about chess tactics:
- What Are Tactics In Chess?
- Basic Chess Tactics
- How To Become A Tactical Ninja Using ChessKid
- Wrapping Up
- Chess Tactics Infographic
- Chess Tactics Video
What Are Tactics In Chess?
In chess, tactics are short bursts of forcing moves that take advantage of the placement of the opponent's pieces to gain an immediate advantage. For example, you can use tactics to win material or to checkmate your opponent.
Take a look at the position below. In a couple of moves, White will have the opportunity to apply a common tactic that takes many beginners by surprise.
White is threatening to take the pawn on f7 with the queen and checkmate their opponent. Black tries to defend the position by playing g6 since it attacks the queen and stops the mate at the same time. However, White can use a tactic to win material:
White played Qxe5+, checking the black king and attacking the unprotected rook on h8. There is no way for Black to get out of check and protect the rook at the same time, so White is now winning!
Basic Chess Tactics
Like other superheroes, a chess player also has many different tactical superpowers. Some of them are more common than others, though. If you want to become a truly powerful player, learning the basic tactics is the way to go!
Pins
A pin happens when you're attacking a player's piece that's aligned with another more critical piece or square. The attacked piece is pinned since moving it would allow you to attack the target behind it, which would be terrible for your opponent.
In the example below, the black rook on g7 pins the g2-pawn to the king. Black can jump in with the knight to start an attack on the king since the white pawn can't move to take it.
Skewers
A skewer is almost the same as a pin. The only difference is that the attacked piece is more important than the target behind it. If you apply a skewer against your opponent, they will be forced to move their piece out of the way and let you attack what's behind it.
The king had to move out of the way and allow White to capture the black queen.
Forks
You apply a fork if you can use one of your pieces to attack more than one of your opponent's pieces at the same time. The example below shows a common knight fork where it attacks the queen and the rook at the same time.
Discovered Attacks
You can apply a discovered attack tactic by moving one of your pieces to get out of the way and reveal the attack of another one of your pieces. In particular, discovered checks are a kind of discovered attack that is incredibly dangerous.
How To Become A Tactical Ninja Using ChessKid
Did you know that you can use ChessKid to train your tactical superpowers? Doing so is much easier (and less painful) than being bitten by a radioactive spider. All you have to do is go to our Puzzles page and keep solving puzzles.
If you get a puzzle right on your first try, your puzzles rating will go up. We will automatically give you a more challenging puzzle to solve. Practice as much as you can so your rating increases, and then show everybody how skilled you are!
Wrapping Up
You now know what chess tactics are and how they can turn you into the most powerful player of all! Head over to our Puzzles page to practice your tactical skills and then put them to good use by playing some chess games.
Chess Tactics Infographic
Here is a new printable for you to guide you forward.
Find more useful Infographics and other chess materials on our Resources page.