Tactical motifs
The building blocks of every combination. Forks, pins, skewers and their cousins win material out of nowhere — the moment you spot the shape, you spot the win.
Fork
One piece attacks two or more targets at once; the opponent saves only one.
Read more →Pin
A piece cannot move because a more valuable one sits behind it.
Read more →Skewer
Like a pin in reverse — the valuable piece is in front and must move.
Read more →Discovered attack
Moving one piece unveils an attack from the piece behind it.
Read more →Double check
Two pieces give check at once — the king is forced to move.
Read more →Sacrifice
Give up material now to win more — or to mate — later.
Read more →Trapped piece
A piece has no safe squares; surround it and win it.
Read more →Hanging piece
An enemy piece is undefended — simply take it.
Read more →Advanced pawn
A pawn deep in enemy territory, often one step from queening.
Read more →Removing the defender
Capture or trade the piece that guards your real target.
Read more →Attacking f2 / f7
The weakest square in the opening — guarded only by the king.
Read more →Kingside attack
Storming a king that castled on the kingside.
Read more →Queenside attack
Hunting a king that castled on the queenside.
Read more →Exposed king
A king stripped of defenders — a magnet for tactics.
Read more →Put these into practice on thousands of adaptive puzzles.