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Chess Skewers – Powerful Tactical Motif
A skewer is a powerful tactical motif often described as a "reverse pin." It occurs when you attack a valuable piece, forcing it to move and exposing a target behind it. Unlike a pin, the more valuable piece is in front, making the skewer a deadly geometric weapon for winning material in the middlegame and endgame.
🍢 X-Ray insight: A skewer is a reverse pin that forces a heavy piece to run. It wins material by X-raying through the target. Master this geometric weapon to slice through your opponent's defenses.
The Skewer Concept: You attack a more valuable piece first (often the King or Queen).
When it is forced to move, it exposes a less valuable (or undefended) piece behind it.
Think of it as a "Reverse Pin."
Think of it as a "Reverse Pin."
Skewer Examples
A skewer is a tactical motif where a more valuable piece is attacked first and forced to move, exposing a less valuable piece behind it. Unlike a pin, the front piece cannot stay in place and must step aside, allowing material to be won. The examples below show how skewers are created and how they are converted into concrete gains.
1. Powerful passed pawn
De Boer vs van Mil
1. Rxd8+
Qxd8 2. Qxf6 Qxf6 3. Bg5 (or 1.Qxf6 Qxf6 2.Bg5) 1-0
Qxd8 2. Qxf6 Qxf6 3. Bg5 (or 1.Qxf6 Qxf6 2.Bg5) 1-0
2. Pleasing geometry
Mecking vs Tan
1. Bxf7+
Kxf7 2.Rxc7+, Qxc7 3. Qh7+
Kxf7 2.Rxc7+, Qxc7 3. Qh7+
3. Ivanchuk vs. Mamedyarov
Ivanchuk vs Mamedyarov
1...Bc5+!
2.Kd3 (2.Qxc5 Qg1+ wins the queen) 2...Qf3+ 3.Kd2 Be3+ {and white resigned because of inevitable mate e.g.} 4.Ke1 Qf2+ 5.Kd1 Qd2 mate
2.Kd3 (2.Qxc5 Qg1+ wins the queen) 2...Qf3+ 3.Kd2 Be3+ {and white resigned because of inevitable mate e.g.} 4.Ke1 Qf2+ 5.Kd1 Qd2 mate
4. King on walkabout
Romanishin vs Dorfman
1. Bg5+
Kxg5 2. Nxf7+ wins the Q
Kxg5 2. Nxf7+ wins the Q
5. Szaudler vs. Omuralijev
Szaudler vs Omuralijev
1.d6
{fork} Bxd6 2.Qd2 {skewer - wins either B or N}
{fork} Bxd6 2.Qd2 {skewer - wins either B or N}
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