Exercise 9.1Find the move
White to move
Give check with the rook.
9
Chess from Zero · Kapilash Chess Academy
Check!
When the king is attacked
In this lesson you will learn
- What check means
- Three ways to get out of check
- How to give check
Every board on this page is live. Move the pieces by tapping or dragging, click any move in the lines to see that position, and press ↺ to start again.
9.1 What is check?
When a piece attacks the enemy king, the king is in check. Players often say “check!” when they do it. A king in check must get out of check on the very next move. No other move is allowed.
9.2 Three ways out of check
- Move the king to a safe square.
- Block the check: put a piece between the king and the attacker.
- Capture the piece that is giving check.
A check by a knight cannot be blocked, because the knight jumps. A check by a pawn cannot be blocked either.
Diagram 9.1White to move
Diagram 9.1 · Block the check
The black rook on a1 checks the white king along the first rank. The king cannot move: f1 and h1 are also on the rank.
Block the check.
The bishop goes back to f1 (♗f1) or to b1 (♗b1) and stands between the rook and the king. The check is blocked.
Diagram 9.2White to move
Diagram 9.2 · Escape with the king
The rook on g8 checks the king along the g-file.
Get out of check.
The king steps off the g-file: ♔f1 or ♔h1. The knight could also block on g3 or g7. Every legal move ends the check, because the rules never let you leave your king in check.
9.3 Giving check
Giving check is often useful: your opponent must answer it, so you decide what happens next. But a check is not always the best move. Check only when it helps you.
Remember
- Check means the king is attacked.
- You must get out of check at once: move the king, block, or capture the checking piece.
- Knight and pawn checks cannot be blocked.
- You may never make a move that puts or leaves your own king in check.
Exercises · Lesson 9
Give check, or get your king out of check. When your king is in check you must deal with it at once.
Give check
Exercise 9.2Find the move
White to move
Give check with the bishop.
Exercise 9.3Find the move
White to move
Give check with the knight.
Exercise 9.4Find the move
White to move
Give check with the pawn.
Get out of check
Exercise 9.5Find the move
White to move
Get out of check by capturing the checking piece.
Exercise 9.6Find the move
White to move
Get out of check. The king cannot move, so block or capture.
Exercise 9.7Find the move
White to move
Get out of check.
Exercise 9.8Find the move
White to move
The knight gives check. Get out of check.
Check or not?
Exercise 9.9Question
White to move
Is the white king in check?
Exercise 9.10Question
White to move
Is the white king in check?
Exercise 9.11Question
White to move
Is the white king in check?