Lesson 9 of 20 · Tactics · 7 min

Silver and Knight Tricks

Silvers and knights attack squares other pieces cannot reach, and the split silver and knight fork win material from quiet-looking positions.

Drop a split silver to attack two pieces from behind.
Jump a knight to fork two pieces at once.
Mate in one with a knight drop that cannot be blocked.

The silver attacks diagonally backward as well as forward. Dropped between two enemy pieces, it can hit both from behind. This is the split silver (wariuchi no gin).

Rook and gold side by side on the second rank are a common target for the split silver. Check that the silver cannot simply be captured.

🔒 2 more cards and 2 more practice positions continue in the app.

Try the first practice

Opponentno pieces in hand

You

Practice 1 of 1

Use the split silver to attack the rook and the gold.

Remember: The silver hits backward diagonals, so drop it between two pieces. The knight jumps and cannot be blocked—perfect for forks and mates, but it cannot retreat.