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The knight fork: two targets at once

Name: __________________________ Date: __________________

Read the side to move where shown. Use a board if it helps, and explain your answer before checking the solutions.

White to move. Find a knight move that checks the king and attacks the rook. White to move.
White to move. Find a knight move that checks the king and attacks the rook. White to move.

  1. White Kf3, Nc1; Black Kd2, Rc5. Find White’s checking fork.

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  2. Which two black pieces are attacked after Nb3+?

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  3. After 1...Kd3, what completes the idea?

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  4. Is every move attacking two pieces automatically good?

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Final check

Ask what makes a checking fork more forcing than a fork without check.

Answers: The knight fork: two targets at once

  1. White Kf3, Nc1; Black Kd2, Rc5. Find White’s checking fork.

    1. Nb3+.

  2. Which two black pieces are attacked after Nb3+?

    The king on d2 and rook on c5.

  3. After 1...Kd3, what completes the idea?

    2. Nxc5, capturing the rook.

  4. Is every move attacking two pieces automatically good?

    No. Check legality, whether the attacking piece can be captured, and the opponent’s strongest reply.

Teaching note

Some pupils stop after the checking move. Ask what the combination has actually won so far. Others choose a knight fork square that is immediately capturable: test that defence.