apex64 Coach
Discovered Check
What it is
A discovered check is a discovered attack where the unmasked piece gives check. Because the opponent must answer the check immediately, the piece that moved away is completely free to capture material or seize a decisive square.
When to use it
Use it when a piece of yours is blocking a rook, bishop or queen that would otherwise check the enemy king — the front piece can then grab anything with impunity.
How to use it
Identify the masking piece and the check it hides, then move it to the most damaging square — capturing the biggest piece or forking, since the opponent is forced to deal with the check first.
Worked examples
Watch the coach play the tactic from real master games.