Skewers is lesson 1 of 8 in Pins and skewers, a tactics course suited to players rated around 1400 (club players). A skewer is a pin turned round: attack the more valuable piece, and when it steps aside, 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
Black to move: win material with a skewer. (6 positions)
White to move: win material with a skewer.
Worked examples
Black to move: win material with a skewer. 1...Re8+ 2.Kd5 Rxe1. The rook on e8 hit the king; when it stepped aside, the rook on e1 behind it fell. You win the rook on e1 and come out 5 points ahead.
Black to move: win material with a skewer. 1...Rf1+ 2.Kd2 Rxa1. The rook on f1 hit the king; when it stepped aside, the rook on a1 behind it fell. You win the rook on a1 and come out 5 points ahead.
chessGM