Skewers is lesson 2 of 7 in Real-game tactics 2: Forks, pins and skewers, a tactics course suited to players rated around 800 (beginners). A skewer is a pin the other way round: attack a valuable piece, and when it moves, take what stood behind it. It has 7 interactive exercises: 7 calculated lines from real positions. You play every move on a board and get feedback straight away. The lesson is free.
What you practise
White to move: mate in 2.
White to move: win material with a skewer. (3 positions)
Black to move: mate in 2. (3 positions)
Worked examples
White to move: mate in 2. 1.Qxf6+ Kxe8 2.Rxd8#. The king was trapped on the back rank behind its own pawns. Mate in 2.
White to move: win material with a skewer. 1.Qh8+ Kxf7 2.Qxd8. The king had to move, and the queen behind it was lost. You win the queen on d8 and come out 8 points ahead.
More in Real-game tactics 2: Forks, pins and skewers
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