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The skewer

Hit the front, win the back.

A skewer is like a fork along a straight line. You attack a valuable piece (often the king with a check); when it is forced to step aside, you capture the piece that was lined up behind it.

Rooks, bishops, and queens skewer — any piece that attacks along a line. Look for an enemy king and a juicy piece sharing a rank, file, or diagonal.

  • Skewer = attack the front piece; win the one behind it.
  • A check is the perfect skewer — the king must move.
  • Watch for king + piece on the same line.
King and rook share the a-file: check the king, then take the rook behind it.

In a skewer, what makes the back piece fall?

Answer the question to keep going!