Chessity logo Player
Play now

Special attacks: discovered check (1)

This lesson is about discovered checks. You have already seen one, when we were defending against mate. A discovered check is a very powerful tool. Even strong players fear it.

In a discovered check, two pieces are lined up and the front piece steps aside. In doing so the back piece gives check.

In this lesson you are going to use a discovered check in which the front piece also attacks a piece. That makes it a double attack!

To understand how this works, it is best to see it in action. Have a look at the example.


What do you have to do?

Use a discovered check to win points. The back piece’s attack is a check, the front piece attacks another enemy piece.


Three pieces are lined up in a straight line: rook, knight and king.
White can attack the queen with the knight.
With the knight away from the line, the rook checks the king.

The white knight can choose.
Following the red arrow is not smart. Black escapes check by taking the knight.
The knight should follow the green arrrow to be safe. Black must get out of check. He loses his queen.
Well done, White!