Skewer
The reverse of a pin. The more valuable piece is in front and is attacked, and when it steps aside, the piece behind it is captured. Bishops, rooks and queens deliver skewers along lines.
How to spot it
The same geometry as a pin, the other way round: the valuable piece stands in front and must move, and the piece behind it is taken. Look for a king or queen on the same line as another piece, and a check or an attack along that line.
A worked example
1.Rh8+ skewers the king and queen along the back rank. When the king steps off the rank, the queen on a8 falls.
Why it works
A skewer is forcing when the front piece is the king, because the king has to get out of check and can't shield the piece behind it. Rooks on open files and bishops on long diagonals produce most skewers, often in endgames when the kings have come out.
How to defend against it
Avoid lining your king up with your queen or rook on an open line, especially the back rank and the long diagonals. When you must, keep a blocking piece handy, or make sure the piece behind is protected so that the skewer only wins a trade.
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