A skewer is an attack on a valuable piece that, when it moves away, exposes a less valuable piece behind it on the same line. It is a pin turned round.
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Start0/3
Most skewers start with a check. The king must step off the line, and whatever stood behind it is lost.
How to do it
- 1Find the enemy king or queen on a line with another piece behind it.
- 2Attack the front piece with a bishop, rook or queen, with check if you can.
- 3When it steps aside, take the piece behind.
For your level
Check the king with your rook. The king must move. Take the piece behind it.
Check you have it
Pitch it for:
Question 1 of 2
Find the strongest move in this position and play it.
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Play your move on the board.
Question 2 of 2
Find the strongest move in this position and play it.
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Play your move on the board.
Common mistakes
- Skewering onto a defended piece, so the trade wins nothing.
- Forgetting that the front piece may be able to capture the attacker.
Questions
- What is the difference between a pin and a skewer?
- Both attack two pieces on one line. In a pin the bigger piece is behind, so the front one is stuck. In a skewer the bigger piece is in front, so it moves and exposes the one behind.
- Which pieces can skewer?
- Bishops, rooks and queens, because only they attack along lines. Kings, knights and pawns cannot.