Tactical motifs
Skewer
Like a pin in reverse — the valuable piece is in front and must move.
What is the skewer?
A skewer attacks a valuable piece along a line; when that piece steps aside, the less valuable piece behind it is captured. Think of it as a pin turned around: the big target is in front instead of behind.
Why the skewer matters
Skewers win material outright and are especially deadly in the endgame, where a single check on an exposed king can cost a whole rook or queen sitting behind it. Many "lost" endgames are actually won by a quiet skewer the side ahead never saw.
How to use it to win
Look for enemy royalty or heavy pieces on the same rank, file or diagonal with nothing in between. A check that forces the front piece to move is the most common trigger — give the check, then collect what was hiding behind.
Try an example puzzle
A real skewer puzzle from the app. Black to move — find the idea, then reveal the line.
4 
Show solution
1. ... Bxa4+ 2. Ka3 Bxd1
Drill the skewer on thousands of real puzzles, matched to your rating.