How to Get Better at Chess: Essential Middlegame Tactics
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When you have just learned how each piece moves, it is common to survive the opening only to be lost about what to aim for in the middlegame. The first step in how to get better at chess is learning the fundamental tactics used to exploit weaknesses and win material. Here, we look at three tactics every beginner should master first.
How to Aim for a Fork: Threatening Two Targets with 1 Piece
A fork is a tactic where 1 piece attacks 2 or more enemy pieces at the same time. Since an opponent can move only 1 piece on their turn, they are forced to give up an undefended or less valuable piece.
Figure 1 as text
White: King e1, Queen d1, Rook a1 h1, Bishop c1 f1, Knight c7 g1, Pawn a2 b2 c2 d2 e2 f2 g2 h2
Black: King e8, Queen h4, Rook a8 h8, Bishop c8 f8, Knight b8 g8, Pawn a7 b7 d7 f7 g7 h7 e5
To move: Black
Last move: b5→c7
Highlighted squares: c7 (focus), e8 (bad), a8 (bad)
FEN: rnb1kbnr/ppNp1ppp/8/4p3/7q/8/PPPPPPPP/R1BQKBNR b KQkq - 0 3
In this position, White advances a knight to c7 to target Black's king and rook at the same time. The knight leaping to c7 delivers check to the king on e8 while attacking the rook on a8. Black must respond by moving the king out of check, allowing White to capture the rook on a8 on the very next turn.
Forks can be delivered not only by knights, but also by pawns, queens, and bishops. Knights are particularly tricky because their ability to jump over pieces often catches opponents off guard. Build the habit of surveying the board to see if high-value enemy pieces sit on squares within reach of your knight's control.
The Basic Structure of a Pin: Freezing an Enemy Piece
A pin uses a line-moving piece (bishop, rook, or queen) to immobilize an opponent's piece along a line of sight leading to a more valuable piece behind it. The degree to which that piece is pinned depends on the value of the piece behind it.
Figure 2 as text
White: King e1, Queen d1, Rook a1 h1, Bishop g5 f1, Knight b1 g1, Pawn d4 a2 b2 c2 e2 f2 g2 h2
Black: King e8, Queen d8, Rook a8 h8, Bishop c8 f8, Knight b8 f6, Pawn a7 b7 c7 d7 f7 g7 h7 e6
To move: White
Last move: e7→e6
Highlighted squares: g5 (focus), f6 (bad), d8 (bad)
FEN: rnbqkb1r/pppp1ppp/4pn2/6B1/3P4/8/PPP1PPPP/RN1QKBNR w KQkq - 0 3
In this diagram, White attacks Black's knight on f6 with a bishop on g5. Black's queen on d8 sits directly behind the knight on f6. If Black moves the knight on f6 to another square, White's bishop captures the queen behind it on d8. Because moving the front piece incurs huge losses, it is effectively immobilized—a state known as a pin.
There are 2 main types of pins. If the piece behind is the king, moving the pinned piece is an illegal move, creating an absolute pin. If the rear piece is another unit such as a queen, moving it is legal but costly, creating a relative pin.
| Type | Piece Behind | Movement of Front Piece |
|---|---|---|
| Absolute Pin | King | Cannot move by the rules |
| Relative Pin | Queen or rook | Can move, but loses heavy material |
A pinned piece also loses its ability to protect other friendly units. Once you spot a pin, applying further pressure on that piece with pawns or other units makes for an effective attack.
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Master learned tactics by practicing them directly on the board. The AI calculates locally on your device, letting you play full games even without an internet signal.
Skewers: Forcing a Valuable Piece Aside to Hit the One Behind
A skewer resembles a pin, but targets an alignment where the more valuable piece is in front and the less valuable piece is behind. The leading major piece must flee the attack, allowing the piece behind it to be captured.
For example, imagine White's rook delivers check to Black's king, with Black's queen resting directly behind the king on that same line. Black has no choice but to move the king. Once the king steps aside, White's rook takes the exposed queen down that line.
To set up a skewer, watch for moments when the enemy king and queen line up along a bishop's diagonal or a rook's rank or file. Skewers also appear frequently in rook endgames, so pay close attention to king and piece alignments.
How to Practice and Execute Tactics in Real Games
Understanding forks, pins, and skewers conceptually is not enough; you must spot them in real games. The fastest route to mastery is playing matches against an AI on your phone and reviewing positions after each game.
Chess: Emperor Napoleon offers 6 difficulty levels from novice to elite, making it ideal for testing basic tactics. Because the AI thinks on-device, you can complete games offline, and step backward through the game score 1 move at a time to review afterward.
- Look for undefended pieces: Any piece lacking protection is a prime target for a fork.
- Watch for aligned major pieces: Kings and queens lined up along ranks, files, or diagonals invite pins and skewers.
- Review misses after each game: Use review features to find positions where tactical opportunities were missed.
Checking these key points with every move naturally develops tactical awareness to seize an advantage in the middlegame.
Frequently asked questions
What is the key difference between a fork and a pin?
The difference lies in whether the targets sit on separate squares or along a single line. A fork attacks 2 different squares at once with 1 piece, whereas a pin targets 2 aligned pieces along a rank, file, or diagonal.
How do you distinguish between a pin and a skewer?
Look at the value of the front piece. In a pin, the front piece is less valuable and cannot easily step aside. In a skewer, the front piece is more valuable and must flee, leaving the piece behind vulnerable.
What is the benefit of practicing tactics against an AI?
You can examine the board calmly without time pressure. Review piece control and straight-line alignments at your own pace, and step back from the first move after the game to inspect tactical outcomes.
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Step into Napoleon's shoes across 50 battles in Chess: Emperor Napoleon. Free to play with optional in-app purchases.