What is the difference between a skewer and a pin?

In a pin, the more valuable piece is behind and cannot move because it would expose the piece in front. In a skewer, the more valuable piece is in front and must move, revealing the weaker piece behind it.

Which pieces can perform a skewer?

Skewers are most common with bishops, rooks, and queens because they attack along long lines. A queen can skewer too, but the tactic is especially powerful when a long-range piece targets two aligned enemy pieces.

What is the most common skewer target?

The king is the most common front piece in a skewer, because it must move out of check and often leaves a queen or rook exposed behind it. Skewers against the king are usually very forcing and often win material immediately.

How can I defend against a skewer?

Avoid lining up valuable pieces on the same file, rank, or diagonal when an enemy long-range piece can attack them. If alignment is unavoidable, add a defender, move one piece off the line, or make sure the front piece can move to a square that still protects the piece behind it.

Skewer Chess Puzzles

A skewer is a tactical motif where you attack a more valuable piece, forcing it to move and expose a less valuable piece behind it. It is the opposite of a pin in terms of order: the stronger piece is in front, and when it moves, the piece behind becomes vulnerable. Skewers often happen along files, ranks, diagonals, or long lines created by bishops, rooks, and queens.

To spot a skewer, look for aligned enemy pieces where the front piece cannot stay protected if it moves, especially when the rear piece is the king, queen, or rook. The best skewers usually work because the front piece is overloaded, pinned, or simply unable to keep both pieces safe at once. In your own games, try to place long-range pieces on open lines and aim them at two pieces in a row, since that geometry is what makes the tactic possible.

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Frequently Asked Questions: skewer

What is the difference between a skewer and a pin?: In a pin, the more valuable piece is behind and cannot move because it would expose the piece in front. In a skewer, the more valuable piece is in front and must move, revealing the weaker piece behind it.
Which pieces can perform a skewer?: Skewers are most common with bishops, rooks, and queens because they attack along long lines. A queen can skewer too, but the tactic is especially powerful when a long-range piece targets two aligned enemy pieces.
What is the most common skewer target?: The king is the most common front piece in a skewer, because it must move out of check and often leaves a queen or rook exposed behind it. Skewers against the king are usually very forcing and often win material immediately.
How can I defend against a skewer?: Avoid lining up valuable pieces on the same file, rank, or diagonal when an enemy long-range piece can attack them. If alignment is unavoidable, add a defender, move one piece off the line, or make sure the front piece can move to a square that still protects the piece behind it.