Tactical pattern library
Train the pattern.
Train the pattern.
Spot the move.
Choose a motif and solve positions built around it. Focused repetition turns tactical ideas into instinct.
- Themes
- 62
- Categories
- 6
- Theme drills
- 6.3M
Browse by category
5 themes
Tactics
0 themesCore combinations that win material and seize the initiative.
Fork
Attack two or more pieces simultaneously
Pin
Restrict a piece from moving because it would expose a more valuable piece
Skewer
Attack a valuable piece that must move, exposing a piece behind it
Discovered Attack
Move one piece to reveal an attack from another
Discovered Check
Move a piece aside to deliver check with the piece behind it
Double Check
Deliver check with two pieces simultaneously
Sacrifice
Give up material for a tactical advantage
Deflection
Force a defending piece away from its duty
Attraction
Lure a piece to a square where it can be exploited
Overloaded Piece
Capture or divert a piece that is defending more than it can cover
Hanging Piece
Capture an undefended piece
Trapped Piece
Win a piece that has no safe squares
Zwischenzug
Play an intermediate move before the expected recapture
Clearance
Move a piece to open a line or square for another
Interference
Block a line of defense by placing a piece in the way
X-Ray Attack
Attack through another piece
Zugzwang
Put the opponent in a position where any move worsens their position
Quiet Move
A subtle non-capturing move that creates a decisive threat
Defensive Move
A move that defends against a threat while improving position
Attacking f2 / f7
Strike at the weakest square in the opponent's camp
Checkmate
0 themesFinishing patterns, from direct mates to named mating nets.
Mate in 1
Find checkmate in one move
Mate in 2
Find checkmate in two moves
Mate in 3+
Find checkmate in three or more moves
Back Rank Mate
Checkmate on the first or eighth rank
Smothered Mate
Checkmate by a knight where the king is trapped by its own pieces
Arabian Mate
Checkmate with rook and knight
Anastasia Mate
Checkmate with rook and knight against a king on the edge
Boden Mate
Checkmate with two bishops on criss-crossing diagonals
Double Bishop Mate
Checkmate using two bishops
Dovetail Mate
Queen mate where the king's escape squares are blocked by its own pieces
Hook Mate
Checkmate with rook, knight, and pawn pattern
Pillsbury Mate
Checkmate with rook and bishop against a castled king
Opera Mate
Checkmate with rook and bishop on the back rank
Epaulette Mate
Checkmate where the king is boxed in by its own rooks
Corner Mate
Checkmate with rook and knight against a king in the corner
Swallowtail Mate
Queen mate where the king's only flight squares are self-blocked
Triangle Mate
Queen and supporting piece mate in a triangular pattern
Morphy Mate
Checkmate with bishop and rook against a fianchettoed king
Blind Swine Mate
Checkmate with two rooks on the seventh rank
Kill Box Mate
Rook and queen mate boxing the king into a 3x3 square
Vukovic Mate
Checkmate with rook and knight supported against the edge
Balestra Mate
Checkmate with queen and bishop cutting off every escape
Pawn Play
5 themesPromotions, advanced pawns, castling and special pawn ideas.
King Safety
0 themesRecognize exposed kings and build attacks on either wing.
Game Phase
0 themesTrain the patterns that define openings, middlegames and endgames.
Opening Tactics
Tactical puzzles from the opening phase
Middlegame Tactics
Tactical puzzles from the middlegame phase
Endgame Technique
Apply endgame principles to convert advantages
Rook Endgame
Endgames with rooks and pawns
Pawn Endgame
Endgames decided by pawns and kings alone
Bishop Endgame
Endgames with bishops and pawns
Knight Endgame
Endgames with knights and pawns
Queen Endgame
Endgames with queens and pawns
Queen & Rook Endgame
Endgames with queens and rooks on the board
Outcome
0 themesFind moves that convert, equalize or create a decisive advantage.
No matching themes
Try a broader chess term or browse every category.