|
|
Welcome back. Perhaps you'd like to tell me what you'd like me to call you this lesson.
|
|
Do you understand all about ATTACKING and DEFENDING then, kiddo?  Yes: I got 100% in the Really Hard Exam. I don't understand ATTACKING and DEFENDING |
|
|
All soldiers need weapons when they're fighting in a battle. How would you like to learn how to use some Really Dangerous Weapons? Sweet! I love using weapons! My dad says only bad people use weapons |
|
First of all, look at this position. The WHITE ROOK is ATTACKING the BLACK PAWN on c5. The BLACK PAWN on b6 is DEFENDING his friend on c5. So: The WHITE ROOK is the ATTACKER The BLACK PAWN on c5 is the TARGET The BLACK PAWN on b6 is the DEFENDER 
|
|
Now look at this. The WHITE ROOK is also ATTACKING the BLACK PAWN on f7. This PAWN is NOT DEFENDED. So this ATTACK is also a THREAT. An ATTACK is where a piece COULD capture an enemy piece. A THREAT is where a piece WANTS TO capture an enemy piece. The WHITE ROOK is ATTACKING the PAWN on c5 and THREATENING the PAWN on f7.
|
|
|
If you THREATEN an enemy soldier what usually happens? Usually, your enemy either RUNS AWAY or gets a friend to DEFEND him. But if you had a weapon that could THREATEN TWO enemies at the same time what would happen? Because you can only move one piece at a time, only one of them would be able to run away or defend himself, and then you'd be able to CAPTURE the other one.
|
|
If you THREATEN two (or more) enemy soldiers at the same time in DIFFERENT directions this is the weapon you use. It's called a FORK. Not a knife. Not a spoon. A FORK!
|
|
Here's what a FORK looks like on a chessboard. In this position White can move his ROOK from d3 to d7. On d7 he will THREATEN both BLACK PAWNS. If the PAWN on b7 moves White will be able to CAPTURE the PAWN on g7. And if the PAWN on g7 moves White will be able to CAPTURE the PAWN on b7.
|
|
PAWNS can use FORKS as well. Take a look at this. If the PAWN on d2 moves to d4 he THREATENS both BLACK ROOKS. If the ROOK on c5 moves White will CAPTURE the ROOK on e5. And if the ROOK on e5 moves he will CAPTURE the ROOK on c5. PAWNS may be slow and weak, but they have the power to take on two ROOKS at the same time.
|
|
A very similar weapon to the FORK is the SKEWER. A FORK THREATENS two or more enemy soldiers in DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS. A SKEWER THREATENS two or more enemy soldiers in THE SAME DIRECTION.
|
|
If you've played some ROOK COMBAT games against me you might remember this position. Maybe you found the best way for White to start. If you move your ROOK from h1 to h7 you SKEWER all five BLACK PAWNS. You'll be able to capture a few of them before Black gets a PAWN near the end of the board.
|
|
|
That's the end of the lesson, kiddo.
Once I'm sure you understand FORKS and SKEWERS you can take on FISHY BOBBER at some CAPTURE THE FLAG battles with ROOKS and PAWNS. But before that there's another REALLY HARD EXAM! Awesome! I love using weapons! Can I repeat the lesson first? I'll do it later - I have to go now I'm too young to get a weapons licence. |