The Double Attack

Since chessmen can move in more than one direction, they can also attack more than one piece at a time. I will diagram each piece or pawn and show their attacking capabilities.

  Diagram 62

Diagram 62 shows how a Rook can move from f2-f7 and check the King. The Rook is also attacking the Knight. Once the Black King moves, the Rook will then capture the Knight.

  Diagram 63

Bishops have a similar ability. But their double attacking capability comes on the diagonals. Looking at Diagram 63, we can see a menacing Bishop eyeing two targets at once.

  Diagram 64

Diagram 64 shows a family fork. This occurs when a Knight attacks a King with check, and also attacks the Queen and a Rook. For beginners, the Knight is both the most feared and most aggressive piece. This is due to its hopping around the board and jumping over other pieces. The Pawn’s strength comes from its ability to diagonally capture, like the Bishop, but only one square away. Diagram 65 demonstrates this idea clearly.

  Diagram 65

The "d" Pawn is attacking the King with check and the Queen at the same time. If the Black King were to move away, the Queen would then be captured. If the Queen were to capture the "d" Pawn, the "e" Pawn would then capture the Queen.

  Diagram 66

Diagram 66 shows the power of the Queen. She can destroy an army from a distance. She attacks the "a" Pawn, the Rook, and the Knight at the same time.

  Diagram 67

The King is limited by only moving one square at a time. So, Diagram 67 shows how the King finishes off the opponent with some hand to hand combat.