Chess Skewer Puzzles
Attack a valuable piece on a line so that it must move, then take what stands behind it. Every position comes from a real game.
What is a skewer puzzle?
A skewer puzzle is a pin in reverse. You attack a valuable piece, usually the king or queen, along a rank, file or diagonal. When it steps out of the way, the less valuable piece behind it on the same line is lost. Skewers with check are the most common, because the king has no choice but to move. New to the idea? Read the skewer lesson first, then come back to practise.
The 25 puzzles on this page
Every position is taken from a real game in the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Puzzle ratings range from 745 to 2344, with a median of 1299. Ratings describe how hard the puzzle is, not your playing strength.
| Group | Puzzles | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 11 | 44% |
| Intermediate | 5 | 20% |
| Advanced | 9 | 36% |
| Opening | 1 | 4% |
| Middlegame | 8 | 32% |
| Endgame | 16 | 64% |
How to solve skewer puzzles
- Look for two enemy pieces on the same rank, file or diagonal, with the more valuable one in front.
- Check first: a skewer through the king forces the king to move and leaves the piece behind it hanging.
- Count what you win. A skewer that loses your attacking piece to a recapture may not win anything.
- In endgames, look for rook skewers along the edge of the board; they decide many rook-and-pawn endings.
Use a hint only after you have a candidate move. If you needed the solution, retry the puzzle later from memory; that is when the pattern sticks.
Frequently asked questions
What is a skewer in chess?
A skewer is an attack on a valuable piece that forces it to move, exposing a less valuable piece behind it on the same line, which is then captured.
What is the difference between a skewer and a pin?
In a skewer the more valuable piece is in front and must move. In a pin the less valuable piece is in front and cannot move without exposing the piece behind it.
Which pieces can skewer?
Only line pieces: the bishop, rook and queen. Knights, pawns and kings cannot skewer.
More puzzles
Fork puzzles · Pin puzzles · Mate in 3 puzzles · Discovered attack puzzles · Sacrifice puzzles · Deflection puzzles · Mate in 2 · Hard puzzles · All 720 puzzles. Found a tactic in your own game? Check it on the analysis board.