A skewer uses a line attack to force or encourage a valuable front piece away, exposing something behind it.
What to do
Identify the line, the first target and what lies farther along it. Calculate whether the front piece can move with check, capture the attacker or protect the rear target.
A mistake to avoid
An attractive alignment is not enough. The opponent may have a forcing reply that interrupts the planned capture.
A detail worth checking
Include the attacker’s own king safety in the calculation. A line tactic that wins material in isolation may fail if the opponent has a stronger forcing move elsewhere.
Try this practical check
Set up a verified skewer puzzle and list all checks available to the defender before choosing the attacking move. Compare the final material, not just the first tempo.
Related reading
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