Two threats in one move
In chess you only get to make one move at a time, and so does your opponent. If a single move attacks two pieces, your opponent can usually save only one of them. That is the whole idea behind the fork: the forking piece sticks out two prongs at once, like a fork.
The fork is strongest when one of the threats is a check. Then your opponent has to deal with the king first, and the other piece falls without further ado.
The knight fork
The knight is the master of the fork. It jumps, so its checks can't be blocked, and it attacks squares the queen, the rook and the bishop don't see. The classic picture is a knight on c7 attacking king and rook at the same time.
When a knight attacks king, queen and rook at once, it is often called a family fork, because the whole family is under threat. A good habit is to always look for squares where a knight can reach two of your pieces at the same time, especially the king and the queen.
The queen forks too
The queen moves in eight directions and can therefore attack two pieces from unexpected angles. Queen forks are often about a check that at the same time hits an unprotected piece at the other end of the board.
The pawn fork
The smallest piece can do the biggest damage. A pawn that attacks two minor pieces almost always wins one of them, because the pawn is worth so little: even if it is captured afterward, you have come out ahead on the trade.
How to find forks
- Look for unprotected pieces. A piece without protection is a target, and two unprotected pieces are an invitation.
- Look for checks. A check that also attacks something else is often a winning fork.
- Count knight squares. Are two enemy pieces placed so that a knight can reach both from the same square? Can your knight get there?
- Don't forget the king. Even the king can fork two unprotected pieces, especially in the endgame.
Forks often turn up together with other motifs. An overloaded piece, or a sacrifice that lures the king to the right square, can set up a fork. Practice more with fork puzzles.
Frequently asked questions
What is a fork in chess?
A move where one piece attacks two or more of the opponent's pieces at once. Usually your opponent can only save one of them, and the other is lost.
Which pieces can fork?
All of them. The knight is the most famous forking piece, but the queen, the rook, the bishop, the king and the pawn can also attack two pieces at the same time.
How do you avoid forks?
Watch out for pieces that are unprotected, or that stand the same distance from an enemy piece, especially the king and queen, which a knight can reach at the same time. Look at your opponent's possible checks before you move.
Updated October 31, 2026