Skewer — the X-ray attack through valuable pieces
Learn how to attack through pieces to win material, and the difference between a pin and a skewer.
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What is a Skewer?
A skewer in chess is a tactical motif where a more valuable piece is attacked, forcing it to move aside and exposing a less valuable (or equally valuable) piece behind it to capture. It is the opposite of a pin.
A Brief History
The skewer has been a fundamental tactical concept since the modern rules of chess were established. It relies on the linear movement of the Queen, Rook, and Bishop.
The Three Conditions
A line-piece is attacking
The attack must be delivered by a Queen, Rook, or Bishop along a straight line (rank, file, or diagonal).
The front piece is more valuable
The piece being attacked directly must be more valuable than the piece behind it (or the king), forcing it to move.
A target lies behind
There must be another piece on the same line behind the primary target, which will be captured when the front piece moves.
How It Works — Step by Step
What is a Skewer?
White's bishop on b3 attacks the black queen on d5 — and behind the queen, on the same diagonal, sits the rook on f7. The queen must move out of the attack, and then Bxf7 collects the rook. A skewer strikes through the more valuable piece first.
The Endgame Skewer
White plays Rh8+! The check forces the black king off the eighth rank — and once it steps away, it no longer protects the rook on a8: Rxa8 wins it. King-and-rook skewers like this one decide countless endgames.
Diagonal Skewer
White plays Bf3+! The bishop checks the king on d5 along the long diagonal — and X-rays straight through to the rook on h1. The king must step aside, and Bxh1 collects the rook.
Skewer vs Pin
Here the MORE valuable piece is in front: the bishop attacks the queen on d6, which must flee and surrender the rook on c7 behind it — a skewer. If the rook stood in front shielding the queen instead, it would be a pin. Front piece more valuable: skewer. Front piece less valuable: pin.
Common Misconceptions
A skewer is the same as a pin.
A skewer is the REVERSE of a pin. In a pin, the LESS valuable piece is in front, unable to move. In a skewer, the MORE valuable piece is in front, forced to move.
Only the Queen can skewer.
Rooks and Bishops are also excellent at skewering. Any piece that moves in straight lines can deliver a skewer.
Skewers only happen in the middlegame.
Skewers are extremely common in the endgame, especially when a newly promoted Queen skewers the enemy King and Rook.
Can You Spot It?
Test yourself with these positions
Find the Skewer
It's White's turn. Find the winning skewer.
The classic endgame skewer
White to move and win the black rook.
concepts.skewer.sections.puzzles
concepts.skewer.sections.puzzlesSubtitle
Find the winning skewer.
Find the skewer.
Skewers in Your Openings
These openings frequently produce skewer opportunities
Sicilian Defense
Open lines in the Sicilian frequently create opportunities for skewers on the c-file or long diagonals.
View opening pageRuy Lopez
The Spanish bishop on b5 often creates early pins, but later in the game, open files can lead to deadly rook skewers.
View opening pageQueen's Gambit Declined
The Carlsbad structure can lead to open c-files where queens and rooks can be skewered.
Famous Skewer Games
The famous Opera Game features multiple tactical motifs, but Morphy's ability to line up pieces for deadly pins and potential skewers is legendary.
Capablanca demonstrated perfect piece coordination, eventually using linear attacks to overwhelm Lasker.
Tal's aggressive play often created chaos where skewers and pins were decisive.
Tips for Club Players
Always look for your opponent's king and queen on the same line (rank, file, or diagonal).
If your pieces are lined up, they are vulnerable to a skewer.
A skewer is an X-ray attack. You are attacking 'through' the first piece.
To defend against a skewer, try to move the front piece with a check or a bigger threat (a zwischenzug!).
Endgames are full of skewers. Never put your king and rook on the same rank or file if your opponent has a rook.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about skewers
A skewer in chess is a tactical motif where a more valuable piece is attacked, forcing it to move aside and exposing a less valuable (or equally valuable) piece behind it to capture.
They are opposites. In a pin, a LESS valuable piece is in front of a MORE valuable piece, preventing the front piece from moving. In a skewer, the MORE valuable piece is in front, FORCING it to move and sacrifice the piece behind it.
To escape a skewer, you need an intermediate move (zwischenzug). For example, move the front piece while delivering a check or attacking an even more valuable piece. Alternatively, interpose a piece, or counter-attack!
No. Skewers require linear movement. Only Queens, Rooks, and Bishops can perform skewers.
Yes, skewers are one of the most common and powerful tactical motifs in chess, occurring frequently in both middlegames and endgames.
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