Chess tactics
Skewer
A skewer is a pin in reverse: the valuable piece is in front, and when it moves the piece behind it falls.
What it is
A skewer attacks a valuable piece along a line with a less valuable one behind it. The front piece must move — usually because it is the king and the move is forced — and whatever was hiding behind it is captured. Skewers win material far more reliably than pins, because pins only freeze while skewers actually collect.
How to spot one
- Enemy king and rook on the same rank, file or diagonal with nothing in between.
- A queen that can be checked along a line that also contains a rook.
- Endgames with the enemy king on an open board — most rook-endgame wins are a skewer at heart.
- Any forcing check that leaves a piece exposed once the king steps aside.
A worked example
Rook and king lined up on a file or rank with a check available is the whole pattern. Give the check, the king must move, and the piece behind it is taken next move.