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Tactic

Double Check

A special discovered attack where both the moving piece and the revealed piece give check at the exact same time.

Starting position

The Setup

White's rook is lined up on the same file as the black king, but the white knight is currently blocking the path.

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Move sequences and interactive tour paths for Double Check

Starting Position (FEN): 4k3/ppp2ppp/8/8/4N3/8/PPP2PPP/4R1K1 w - - 0 1

The Double Check

  • The Setup - White's rook is lined up on the same file as the black king, but the white knight is currently blocking the path.
  • Nf6+: The Double Check - White moves the knight, creating a discovered check from the rook — but the knight ALSO lands on a square where it gives check. The black king is attacked by two pieces at once.
  • Kd8: Forced King Move - In a normal check, you can capture the attacker or block the attack. But in a double check, it's impossible to block or capture both pieces at once. The king MUST move.
  • Re8#: Checkmate - The rook slides up to deliver checkmate, perfectly supported by the knight that just moved. The ultimate power of the double check is how completely paralyzing it is for the defense.
For experienced players

Double check is widely considered the most forcing tactic in chess. Because the king is forced to move, double checks are frequently used in mating nets to drag the enemy king out into the open or force it onto a fatal square.

See also:Discovered attack·Smothered Mate

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