What Is a Double Check in Chess? Explained for Kids

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A double check is when the king is in check from two pieces at the same time. It is one of the most powerful moves in chess, because it takes away two of the three normal ways out of check.

Why double check is so strong

Normally there are three ways to get out of check: move the king, block the attack, or capture the attacking piece. Against a double check:

• Blocking does not work, because you can block only one line in one move.
• Capturing does not work, because you can capture only one of the two attackers.
• The only way out is to move the king.

If the king has no safe square, a double check is checkmate, even if every other piece is still on the board.

How a double check happens

A double check always comes from a discovered attack: one piece moves out of a line and gives check itself, and the piece behind it gives check too.

In the diagram above, the white knight has just jumped to d6. It checks the king on e8, and by moving out of the way it also opened the e-file, so the rook on e1 checks the king as well. Black can only move the king.

How to look for double checks

• Find a long-range piece of yours pointing at the enemy king, blocked by one of your own pieces.
• Look for a square where the blocking piece can also give check when it moves.
• Knights are especially good at this, because their checks are hard to block anyway.

For parents

Show your child a double check and ask them to find all the ways out. When they discover that only a king move works, they understand why strong players look for this pattern.