Introduction

  • Tactics: Forks
  • Beginner
  • 15-20 minutes

Learning Objectives

Students should understand how to fork their opponent

Materials

Demo board

Hand outs

Resources

Chessville
http://www.chessville.com/instruction/instr_begin_basic_tactics_fork_intro.htm

Douglas Weber - Chess
http://commhum.mccneb.edu/dweber/Chess/2CH-lesson/Ch_hints_2.htm#10.%20DOUBLE%20ATTACKS/FORKS

Mark Lowery’s Exciting World of Chess
http://www.markalowery.net/Chess/Tactics_Strategy/Forks/forksindex.html

Rockford Chess Instructional Materials (Getting out of Check)
http://www.rockfordchess.org/instruction/

The Magic Theater
http://chessdryad.com/education/magictheater/index.htm

Teaching and Learning Sequence

  • Introduction:

Set up the board in a position that will produce a fork on the next move. Ask whether anyone knows what a fork is. If some know, challenge them to find the fork and then explain so that everyone understands. In order for the fork to be effective in winning material, the opponent should not be capable of taking your forking piece. Examples of forks may be found at the Chessville site.

  • Lesson Development:

1.       Using examples from Douglas Weber’s site show how White can fork two of Black’s pieces.

2.       Beginning students should look out for knight forks. Several examples can be found at the Chessville site.

3.       Sometimes you can force a fork if you plan ahead. Go over the first two examples from Mark Lowrey’s site

  • Closure:

Distribute Knight Fork worksheets for students to work on.

Study Sheets / Future Review:

Students may look at additional interactive forced forks at Mark Lowrey’s site or view the online Flash animations at Chessdryad.com