Tactics are the lifeblood of chess. While strategy is your long-term plan, tactics are the short-term tricks that actually win pieces.
If you master these four patterns, you will stop blundering and start spotting winning opportunities in almost every game.
The "Big 4" Tactical Patterns
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1. The Fork
A Fork happens when one of your pieces attacks two (or more) of your opponent's pieces at the same time.
The Knight attacks King and Queen. The King moves, the Queen falls.
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2. The Pin
A Pin happens when a piece cannot move because a more valuable piece (like the King) is standing behind it.
The Black Knight cannot move because the White Bishop would take the King.
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3. The Skewer
A Skewer is a "reverse pin." You attack a valuable piece, forcing it to move away, which exposes a piece behind it.
The Black King is checked and must move. The White Rook will then take the Queen.
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4. Discovered Attack
A Discovery happens when you move one piece out of the way, unleashing an attack from a piece standing behind it.
The White Knight moves to check, revealing the White Rook's attack on the Black Queen!
Ready to Master These?
Pattern recognition comes from repetition. You can try random puzzles, or take a structured course to learn them all.
This page is part of the Beginner Chess Guide — A structured step-by-step learning path for new players covering chess rules, tactics, safe openings, and practical improvement.
This page is part of the Chess Tactics Guide – Stop Missing Winning Moves (0–1600) — Most games under 1400 are decided by simple tactics. Learn how to spot forks, pins, skewers, discovered attacks, deflections, and mating threats before your opponent does — and stop losing winning positions to missed opportunities.