--- title: "Pawn fork in chess" url: "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/pawn-fork.md" canonical_url: "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/pawn-fork" last_updated: "2026-11-07" type: "reference" summary: "A pawn fork is a pawn move that attacks two enemy pieces at once, one on each of the two diagonal squares ahead of the pawn, so only one of them can escape." related: ["https://georgelichess.com/glossary/fork.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/knight-fork.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/royal-fork.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/double-attack.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/tactics.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary.md"] --- # Pawn fork in chess > **For AI agents:** the complete index of GeorgeLiChess pages is [llms.txt](https://georgelichess.com/llms.txt). Every page is also served as markdown at its URL plus .md. A pawn fork is a pawn move that attacks two enemy pieces at once, one on each of the two diagonal squares ahead of the pawn, so only one of them can escape. A pawn fork is a pawn move that attacks two enemy pieces at once, one on each of the two diagonal squares ahead of the pawn, so only one of them can escape. A pawn attacks the two [squares](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/square.md) diagonally in front of it. When enemy pieces stand on both of those squares, a single pawn move can attack them together. Because even a [knight](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/knight.md) is worth more than a pawn, the pawn fork wins material almost every time, and the pawn is often safe because the forked pieces cannot hit it. Pawn forks usually come from a push forward, and they work best when the pawn lands on a square that the targets do not control. Look at the pawn's new square before you push, and ask which enemy pieces cannot [capture](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/capture.md) it. A pawn fork often hits two knights, [two bishops](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/bishop-pair.md) or a bishop and a knight, because those are the pieces that tend to stand on neighboring [diagonal](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/diagonal.md) squares. To defend, watch for two of your pieces standing on the two squares an enemy pawn would attack after one step. Knights on d6 and f6 are exposed to a pawn on e4, which can step to e5. Avoid putting two pieces where one pawn move can attack them, or make sure you can take the pawn after it arrives. In the diagram White to move plays e5. The pawn attacks the knights on d6 and f6 at once. Neither knight can take it, so Black can save only one, and White captures the other with the pawn. ## Example position White to move plays e5. The pawn attacks the knights on d6 and f6 and cannot be captured, so Black saves only one and White wins the other, for example with exd6. Position (FEN): `6k1/8/3n1n2/8/4P3/8/8/6K1 w - - 0 1` A neighboring idea is [Fork](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/fork.md). A fork is a move that leaves one of your pieces threatening two enemy pieces together. Compare it with [Royal fork](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/royal-fork.md). A royal fork is a fork that attacks the enemy king and queen at the same time, most often with a knight, so the king must move and the queen is lost. It sits close to [Attraction](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/attraction.md). Attraction is a tactic that draws the enemy king or queen onto a square where it can be checked, forked or mated, usually by offering a piece that cannot safely be refused. Knowing "Pawn fork" helps most once you can spot it in a real game. A [first lesson](https://georgelichess.com/book/first-lesson.md) with George Li starts from your own games and finds the tactics you keep missing. ## Related terms - [Fork](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/fork.md) - [Knight fork](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/knight-fork.md) - [Royal fork](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/royal-fork.md) - [Double attack](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/double-attack.md) ## Guides that go further - [How to choose a chess coach](https://georgelichess.com/how-to-choose-a-chess-coach.md): What to decide first, the questions to ask, what a first lesson should show and the red flags to avoid. - [How much does chess coaching cost?](https://georgelichess.com/chess-coaching-cost.md): Published rates for private, group and subscription chess coaching, with the source and the date of each. - [The first lesson](https://georgelichess.com/book/first-lesson.md): A game review, a read on your level and a written study plan from George Li. [Book your first lesson](https://georgelichess.com/book.md) and George Li reviews your games and builds a study plan around them. Questions about lessons: write to hello@georgelichess.com. ## Related - [Fork in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/fork.md) - [Knight fork in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/knight-fork.md) - [Royal fork in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/royal-fork.md) - [Double attack in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/double-attack.md) - [Chess terms: Tactics and combinations](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/tactics.md) - [Chess terms glossary: plain definitions](https://georgelichess.com/glossary.md)