Chess Tactic: Pawn Fork

Mikhail Tal vs. Yakov Isaevich Neishtadt
URS, 1955; 1-0

Chess Lesson

One of the most common tactic in chess is the double attack. This takes place when one piece attacks two or more pieces at the same time. When we think of a fork, what usually comes in mind is a Knight Fork. Players often take for granted the power of the pawn to give a fork that results in material gain.

In this game, we see how a pawn guarding the castled King can give a fatal fork to win the game.

Tal vs. Neishtadt (after 37. g5+; final position) 1-0

An example of a pawn fork that wins the game