Forks (or Double Attacks)
One of the most basic tactics is the fork (it is sometimes called the double attack).
In it’s most simple form a piece attacks two other pieces and they cannot be both defended.
In this example the white rook on c1 moves to c4, attacking the bishop and the knight at the same time. Black cannot save both pieces.
Any piece (or pawn) can potentially fork two other pieces. Even the king can manage it!
Here the white king can move to b3, attacking both knights and one of them will be lost.
The most tricky piece for forks is the knight. Because of its unusual move, beginners (and most amateur players!) can miss fork possibilities.
Here moving the white knight to f1 attacks both queen and rook, so White will win material.
As with all tactics, practicing puzzles with forks will help develop pattern recognition, so that players can see such opportunities in their own games.
Puzzle Sheets on Forks
I will be slowly adding to these to cover different types of forks - Kevin
Pawn Forks - Puzzle Sheet - Beginner
Pawn Forks - Puzzle Sheet - Intermediate