Kadas Opening Skewer in Chess
The kadas opening skewer is a tactical motif that arises from the Kadas Opening (often reached via 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Be7 5.Bg5). A skewer happens when one piece is lined up so that moving or capturing forces the opponent’s more valuable piece to move, while the attacker stays on the same line. In this motif, the defining feature is the Kadas-style piece alignment that pins a target along a diagonal or file, enabling a follow-up win of material.
To spot the kadas opening skewer, look for moments when your bishop/queen (or another long-range piece) gains a clear line through an enemy piece to a higher-value piece behind it. In Kadas positions, this often appears after you develop and place a piece so that an opponent’s central or kingside defender sits directly “in front” of a more valuable target. Use it by forcing the skewer with a move that attacks the front piece—then immediately capture the back piece (or win it with tempo) before the opponent can break the line.
Frequently Asked Questions: kadas opening skewer
- What exactly makes it a “kadas opening skewer” instead of a normal skewer?
- It’s the skewer that specifically comes from Kadas Opening piece placement—typically involving the long-range piece lines created by the Kadas setup, where the front piece blocks a direct attack on a more valuable piece behind it.
- Which pieces usually participate in the kadas opening skewer?
- Most commonly a bishop or queen provides the skewer line, with the opponent’s piece in front acting as the “shield” and a higher-value piece behind it becoming the skewer target.
- How can I create the skewer in my games from a Kadas position?
- Aim to complete development so your long-range piece has an open line to the opponent’s formation, then play a forcing move that attacks the front piece on that line. The goal is to keep the line intact long enough to capture the back piece with tempo.
- What’s the best defense against a kadas opening skewer?
- Break the line before it becomes decisive: move the front piece away from the skewer, interpose a piece on the line, or trade the skewer attacker when possible. Also watch for the moment the line opens—if you see the alignment, address it immediately rather than waiting for the capture.