What is check in chess?
A free lesson from My Chess Family for children learning chess. Read it together, try each question on a real board, or print it out.
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What is check?
When a piece attacks the king, we say "check!"
A king in check must get out of check straight away.
Try it 1. New position. Which black piece is giving check? Point to it.
Show the answer
b3
Try it 2. Here's another one. Now you give check! Attack the black king with your rook.
Show the answer
Ra8+ or Re1+
Try it 3. Here's a new position. Give check with your knight!
Show the answer
Nd6+ or Nf6+
Try it 4. What do we say when the king is attacked? A: CheckB: CatchC: Stop
Show the answer
A: Check
Get out of check
There are three ways out of check. Move the king, block the line, or capture the attacker.
Try it 5. Your king is in check. Move him to a safe square!
Show the answer
Kd1 or Kd2 or Kf1 or Kf2
Try it 6. New position. Block the check! Put your knight in the way.
Show the answer
Nb1 or Nf1
Try it 7. Here's another one. Capture the piece that is giving check!
Show the answer
Bxh5
Well done! Always look out for check, and always get out of it.
Next: What is checkmate?
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