Chess tactics
What Is a Fork in Chess?
A fork is a single move that attacks two or more enemy pieces at the same time. The opponent can usually save only one of them, so the forking side wins the other.
Examples
1. Nc7+ Kd7 2. Nxa8
The knight jumps to c7, checking the king on e8 and attacking the rook on a8. Black has to answer the check, and the knight takes the rook.
1. e5 Nd5 2. exd6
A pawn fork. The pawn on e5 attacks both knights, and a pawn is worth far less than either one. Black saves one knight and loses the other.
How a fork works
A fork gives the opponent two problems and only one move to solve them. If one of the attacked pieces is the king, the fork is even stronger, because the check has to be answered first and the other piece is simply taken.
A fork only wins material when the attacked pieces are worth more than the forking piece or are undefended. A knight that forks two defended pawns wins nothing, while a knight that forks a king and a rook wins the exchange or more.
Which pieces fork best
Knights are the most famous forkers because they jump and attack in a pattern the other pieces cannot block. A knight fork that hits the king, the queen, and a rook at once is called a family fork.
Every piece can fork. Pawns fork two pieces diagonally in front of them, queens fork along any line, and even kings fork in the endgame. The cheaper the forking piece, the more a fork tends to win.
How to spot a fork
Look for enemy pieces that sit a knight's jump apart, on the same rank, file, or diagonal, or two squares apart on a rank in front of your pawns. Then ask whether one of your pieces can reach the square that hits both.
Loose pieces, meaning pieces with no defender, and an exposed king are the usual targets. Checks are worth checking first: a fork that comes with check leaves the opponent no time to save the second piece.
How to avoid being forked
Keep your king and your valuable pieces off squares that a single enemy piece can hit together, and keep your pieces defended. Before each move, look at the squares the opponent's knights can reach next turn.
Common questions
What is a royal fork in chess?
A royal fork attacks the king and the queen at the same time. Because the king has to get out of check, the queen is lost for the forking piece.
Is a fork the same as a double attack?
A fork is one kind of double attack: one piece attacks two targets. A double attack can also come from two different pieces, for example when a move uncovers a second attacker.
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