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Double Attack: Two Threats, One Move
The Double Attack is the most common way to win material in chess. By making a single move that creates two simultaneous threats, you overload your opponent's defenses. Since they can usually only address one problem at a time, the other threat crashes through. Learn to spot the loose pieces and geometric patterns that make this tactic possible.
⚔️ Fork insight: The double attack is the most common way to win material. Opponents can't defend two things at once. Train your eyes to spot loose targets and strike with a double attack.
Double Attack Examples
The following positions illustrate double attacks, where a single move creates two simultaneous threats. Because the opponent can usually respond to only one, double attacks often lead directly to material gain.
1. The Royal Fork
Difficulty: Basic
1.Ne7+
Double attack on king and queen. This is the classic "Family Fork" pattern.
Double attack on king and queen. This is the classic "Family Fork" pattern.
2. Opening Trap
Ruy Lopez Variation
4...Qd4!
In this Ruy Lopez line, Black equalizes with 1...Qd4 (relative to diagram), forking the Knight on e5 and the pawn on e4.
In this Ruy Lopez line, Black equalizes with 1...Qd4 (relative to diagram), forking the Knight on e5 and the pawn on e4.
3. Tarrasch's Decoy
Hausler vs. Tarrasch
1...Rh1+!
2.Kxh1 Qxh3+ 3.Nh2 Ng3+ and white resigned as his Q is lost. Note that other lines like ...Nf4+ also win.
2.Kxh1 Qxh3+ 3.Nh2 Ng3+ and white resigned as his Q is lost. Note that other lines like ...Nf4+ also win.
4. Central Fork
Uhlmann vs. Schwartz
1.Nd5!
Black resigned due to e.g. 1...exd5 2.Bxf6 threatening both Bxe7 and Qh7 mate.
Black resigned due to e.g. 1...exd5 2.Bxf6 threatening both Bxe7 and Qh7 mate.
5. The f7 Strike
De Veauce vs. Cafferty
1.Nxf7!
Wins at least the exchange as after 1...Kxf7 2.Bg6+ the black Q is lost via discovered attack.
Wins at least the exchange as after 1...Kxf7 2.Bg6+ the black Q is lost via discovered attack.
6. The Melee
Anglo-Saxon vs. SteveCS
1...Nxf2!
2.Kxf2?! ...Rxc2+ 3.Kg1 Rxg2+. The key moves are ...Nxf2 and ...Rxc2+, exposing the King to double attacks.
2.Kxf2?! ...Rxc2+ 3.Kg1 Rxg2+. The key moves are ...Nxf2 and ...Rxc2+, exposing the King to double attacks.
7. Topalov's Fork
Nikolic vs. Topalov
1...Ne5!
White resigned as he cannot meet both of the threats ...Nxf3 and ...Qxh3.
White resigned as he cannot meet both of the threats ...Nxf3 and ...Qxh3.
8. Blackburne's Attack
Anon vs. Blackburne
1...Rxg2+!
2.Kh1 ...Rxh2+ 3.Kxh2 ...Rh6+ leading to mate. The double attack on g2 forces the King into the open.
2.Kh1 ...Rxh2+ 3.Kxh2 ...Rh6+ leading to mate. The double attack on g2 forces the King into the open.
9. Queen's Fork
Svenn vs. Kinnmark
1.Qf5!
Threatens both Qxd7 and Qxh7 mate. If 1...Qxf5 then 2.Nf7# (Smothered Mate).
Threatens both Qxd7 and Qxh7 mate. If 1...Qxf5 then 2.Nf7# (Smothered Mate).
10. The Quiet Move
Maric vs. Gligoric
1...Rb3!!
After 1...Rxc3 2.Rxf5, Black plays ...Rb3!! attacking the Queen and threatening back-rank mate. White resigned.
After 1...Rxc3 2.Rxf5, Black plays ...Rb3!! attacking the Queen and threatening back-rank mate. White resigned.
11. Pawn Fork Setup
Marzolo vs. Langrock
1.a3!
Wins a piece as 1...Ba5 is answered by 2.Qb3+ forking K and B.
Wins a piece as 1...Ba5 is answered by 2.Qb3+ forking K and B.
12. Tal's Sacrifice
Tal vs. Timman
1.Rxe5!
1...fxe5 2.Ng5 Bf6 3.Nxe6 and black resigned. The Knight on e6 forks Queen and Bishop, and further material loss is inevitable.
1...fxe5 2.Ng5 Bf6 3.Nxe6 and black resigned. The Knight on e6 forks Queen and Bishop, and further material loss is inevitable.
13. Mate & Material
Flohr vs. Thomas
1.Qf5!
Threatens both Qxc5 and Qc8 mate. 1...Rc7 2.Qf8+ led to mate.
Threatens both Qxc5 and Qc8 mate. 1...Rc7 2.Qf8+ led to mate.
14. Restricting the King
Hebden vs. Moser
1.Rd1!
1...Qe6 2.Rd6 Bxd6 3.Ng5+. The move Rd1 prepared the double attack by controlling the d-file.
1...Qe6 2.Rd6 Bxd6 3.Ng5+. The move Rd1 prepared the double attack by controlling the d-file.
15. Pawn Fork
Anand vs. Adams
1.b5!
1...Nxc3 2.Qd3 g6 3.Bxc3 and white will win either B or N.
1...Nxc3 2.Qd3 g6 3.Bxc3 and white will win either B or N.
16. Kasparov's Web
Kasparov vs. Ligterink
1.Nb6!
1...Bxe4 2.Bxe4 Ra7 3.Nc8! This threatens both 4.Nxa7 and 4.Rxb8. 4.Qf5 also threatens both Qxc8 and Qxh7+ wins.
1...Bxe4 2.Bxe4 Ra7 3.Nc8! This threatens both 4.Nxa7 and 4.Rxb8. 4.Qf5 also threatens both Qxc8 and Qxh7+ wins.
⚡ Chess Tactics Guide – Stop Missing Winning Moves (0–1600)
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.
⚠ Stop Hanging Pieces – The Loose Pieces Drop Off Guide (0–1600)
This page is part of the Stop Hanging Pieces – The Loose Pieces Drop Off Guide (0–1600) — Tired of losing pieces for free? Learn the simple 5-second safety scan that prevents hanging pieces, stops avoidable blunders, and builds reliable board awareness in every position.
Also part of: Essential Chess Glossary