What is check in chess?

Basics

Check

Definition

Check is a condition in chess where a player's king is under direct attack by an opponent's piece. The player whose king is in check must immediately escape the threat by moving the king, blocking the attack, or capturing the attacking piece. Failure to escape check is not allowed.

When a player places the opponent's king in check, the opponent must respond to the threat on their very next move. There are exactly three ways to deal with check: move the king to a safe square, interpose a piece between the attacker and the king, or capture the attacking piece.

Check is a powerful tool in chess because it forces the opponent to react, often disrupting their plans. A series of checks can win tempo, gain material, or drive the opposing king into a mating net. Discovered checks and double checks are especially dangerous because they limit the defender's options.

In notation, check is indicated by a plus sign (+) after the move. While giving check is not always advantageous, strong players use it strategically to maintain the initiative and create tactical opportunities.

Related terms

CheckmateCheckmate occurs when a player's king is in check and there is no legal move to escape the attack. The game ends immediately when checkmate is delivered, and the player who delivers it wins. Checkmate is the ultimate objective of a chess game.Double CheckDouble check is a special form of discovered attack where both the moving piece and the uncovered piece give check to the opponent's king simultaneously. The only way to escape a double check is to move the king, since blocking or capturing can only address one of the two checks.Discovered AttackA discovered attack is a tactic where a piece moves out of the way, revealing an attack from another piece behind it on the same line. The moving piece can simultaneously create its own threat, making it extremely difficult for the opponent to handle both attacks at once.StalemateStalemate is a position in chess where the player whose turn it is to move has no legal moves available but is not in check. The game immediately ends in a draw when stalemate occurs, regardless of the material balance on the board.

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