Pawn Fork :
Fork is a technique of attacking two opponent's pieces with one of our pieces. In the next diagram, we have two black knights and white pawn.
The best move for white is move the white pawn to d5 attacking knights at e6 and c6. Here is the diagram after the move
Can You identify a pawn fork in the next diagram ?
When a pawn forks a Knight and a Bishop, the pawn requires a backup. Can you identify the pawn fork here ? Also, identify the backup given by another pawn.
Can you identify a white pawn fork in next diagram ? Is it a valid fork ?
The move D5 seems to be a valid move to fork the Knight and the Bishop. But, the white pawn has no backup or support. So, It is not a valid fork because when the pawn moves to d5, the black bishop can capture the white pawn.
Can you spot a valid pawn fork in the diagram ?
This is a valid pawn fork because the pawn when moves to d5 , it has a support from the bishop at g2 like shown here
Can you spot the pawn fork ? Is it a valid fork ?
Can you identify a fork in the next diagram ?
Can you spot the fork attacking two black pieces ? Is there a backup to support the pawn ?
Yes, it is a valid fork when we move the b2 pawn to b4 square. The a3 pawn is a backup
Identify the fork and Is this a valid fork ? Why and Why not ?
Identify the fork and Is this a valid fork ? Why and Why not ?
Can you identify a pawn fork and say if it is valid or not ?
Advanced pawn fork techniques :
Sometimes, you have to create a situation that is good for you to fork. Most of the time, the opponent may not know you are creating a situation and they lose a power. Here are the some of the examples.
In the above diagram, The white bishop can capture the black bishop at d6, right ? But, the black Knight at c8 can capture the white bishop then, right ? You have the following diagram, and can you spot the fork now ?
Here is another example of fork, can you create a fork ?
Here the white bishop can the black bishop. The black rook will capture the white bishop, creating a fork with a white pawn moving to g3 ash shown
Here is another problem involving pawn forking.
