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Tactics

The Knight Fork in Practice

How to spot and use knight forks in your games.

18 February 2025 · Tactics · 1 min read

What is a fork?

A fork is when one piece attacks two or more enemy pieces at once. The knight is especially good at forking because it attacks in an unusual pattern.

Classic setup

Look for loose pieces on the same colour complex. A knight landing in the centre can often hit king and queen, or two rooks. Always check if Nc7+ or similar creates a fork.

Takeaway

Before you move, ask: can my knight attack two pieces? Can my opponent's knight fork me? Placeholder post for testing.