Shogi glossary
Skewer
Japanese: 田楽刺し
In shogi, a skewer (dengaku-zashi, 'skewered tofu') attacks a valuable piece standing in front of another piece on the same line. When the front piece moves away, the piece behind it is captured.
Attacking a piece so that when it moves, the piece behind it on the same line is captured.
How a skewer works
The attacker needs a straight line: a file for a lance or rook, a diagonal for a bishop. The front piece must be the one the opponent values most, so it is forced to move. Example: White's rook stands on 5d with a gold behind it on 5b. A lance dropped on 5e, protected by a Black gold on 5f, attacks the rook. If the rook steps aside, the lance takes the gold; if the rook takes the lance, the gold recaptures.
Why the lance is the classic skewering piece
A lance is cheap, worth about 3, and can be dropped anywhere on a file except the last rank. Drop it at a distance so the front piece cannot simply capture it.
Bishop skewers through the king are especially strong: a check along a diagonal forces the king off the line, and the bishop then takes whatever stood behind it.
Try it · from “Skewers and Pins”
Drop the lance to skewer the rook and the gold.
FAQ
What is the difference between a skewer and a pin?
They are mirror images. In a skewer the more valuable piece is in front and must move. In a pin the more valuable piece is behind, so the front piece cannot move at all.
How do you defend against a skewer?
Capture the skewering piece if it is unprotected, block the line by interposing a piece, or move the front piece to a square from which it still guards the piece behind.
I don't do defense. Hope you brought a castle!
Learn it by playing
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