Double check
In the context of chess, a double check is a double attack on a King. One piece moves to check the opponent's King while simultaneously revealing a discovered check from another piece.[1]
Double checks are especially powerful, as the checked King is forced to flee to another square. Capturing the checking piece or interposing another piece in front of it's all well and good at stopping a single check, but can't stop two at once.[2]
References
- "When the King is directly attacked by an adverse man, the move is called simply check; when the Piece or Pawn moved does not itself attack the King, but unmasks another which does, it is called a discovered check; and when both the man moved and the one unmasked attack the King, they are said to give double check." Chess: Theory and Practice Howard Staunton, 1876, pp. 48—49
- "Of all the different kinds of discovered check, the double check is the most dangerous and the most menacing. For here the 'discovering' piece not only uncovers a check; by moving, it gives a direct check. This is the most drastic situation that ever confronts a King; for in the case of double check, capture or interposition is impossible. The only way to answer a double check is by moving the King." 1001 Winning Chess Sacrifices and Combinations Fred Reinfeld, 1955, ISBN 0-87980-111-5, p. 83
Chess terms: Attacking | Capturing | Check | Discovered check | Double check | Forking | Interposing | Line piece | Material | Pinning | Protection | Reply | Skewering
