🍢 Practice Skewer puzzles
Attack a valuable piece so that moving it exposes a lesser one behind.
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About Skewer
A skewer is a pin turned inside out. A long-range piece attacks a valuable enemy piece; when that piece steps aside, a less valuable piece standing behind it on the same line is captured. Skewers strike along ranks, files and diagonals and are especially deadly against a king — check the king, and the piece behind falls. Skewers frequently decide endgames, where exposed kings and rooks line up on open files and diagonals. These {count} skewer puzzles sharpen your eye for lined-up targets and the checks that pry them apart.
Frequently asked questions
What is a skewer in chess?
A skewer attacks a valuable piece and forces it to move, allowing you to capture a less valuable piece lined up behind it. It is essentially a reverse pin.
What is the difference between a pin and a skewer?
In a pin the less valuable piece is in front; in a skewer the more valuable piece is in front and is forced to move, exposing the piece behind.
Which pieces can skewer?
Only long-range pieces — bishops, rooks and queens — can skewer, because the tactic works along an open line.
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