Pattern recognition in chess fork

In chess, top players usually say that there are some tactical patterns which one should be
able easily to recognize to become a strong player. Thats true indeed. For instance, there is a
quote from a famous player:
The chief factor in chess skill is the storing of patterns in the mind, and the recognition of
such patterns in actual play.
- C.J.S. Purdy

One good way of learning chess is to build a vocabulary of patterns to help us find the best
moves on the board. The practice is like using flashcards to improve ones mathematical
skills or language vocabulary.

True, the young chess players development starts with the growth of his/her tactical
thinking, as most chess games are won through employing tactics. Tactics help you think
ahead to recognize patterns and calculate to see how these patterns can work in your games.
Today, well discuss a particular pattern forks!
What is a fork?

This is a tactic that any piece can deliver whereby a single move makes two separate threats
at the same time one of the most common tactical devices in chess.
Let me show you some examples:
Pieces in action
Diagram 1

Black to move
1. Although its Blacks turn, he cant keep his extra rook in the game. Whites last move e3e4 forces one of the attacked units to be captured next move. This is how a humble pawn
gets into action.
Diagram 2

Black to move
2. The knight fork is perhaps the most deadly form of double attack. Note that both enemy
pieces stand on the light-coloured square thats a warning sign to remember. White wins
by capturing the queen after Black moves out of check (no way to interpose a knight check).
Diagram 3

White to move

3. The above example shows the wonder of the bishop when the diagonals of its own colour
are open. Black wins, as White cannot defend both threats a check on the king and an
attack against the undefended rook.
Diagram 4

Black to move
4. The mighty rook attacks the loose minor pieces simultaneously along the fifth rank.
White should win here, as theres no means to save both units in one move.
Diagram 5

Black to move
The queen is star of double attacks, as she can move in any diagonal direction, vertically
(along a file) and horizontally (along a rank) in a wide-open board. She controls a large
number of squares when unobstructed by other pieces and will snatch the black rook on
Whites turn.
Diagram 6

Black to move

6. The king forks enemy pieces on adjacent squares and saves the day. Black can save his
knight by moving it to g3 but will leave the bishop unprotected; and so White captures next
move with no mating forces left its a draw.
A fork is considered one of the fundamentals of all tactics, as it allows a player to impose
his/her will on the opponent who cant make two moves in a row to parry simultaneous
threats.
Now, lets see if you can recognize such patterns on your own.
Try it yourself
Exercise 1: Level Easy

White to move
Exercise 2: Level Medium

White to move
Exercise 3: Level Hard

Black to move
After calculating all possible variations, you can check the answers here: http://chessteacher.com/chess-tactics-forks/

Bonus
Pieces and pebbles This chess drill will help you notice and create forks (or double
attacks) instantly.

You will be using pebbles to mark all squares that will simultaneously attack both knights
(see diagram above as a sample), using the power of the pieces that act on a line (diagonal,
rank and file).
The exercise will continue by moving the knights towards the centre of the board and finishes
upon touching all the squares once (32 for each knight) or when the knights intersect at midboard.