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In chess, a double check is a check delivered by two pieces simultaneously. In chess notation, it is most always represented the same way as a single check ("+"), but is sometimes symbolized by "++" (however, "++" is also sometimes used to denote checkmate).
This article uses algebraic notation to describe chess moves.Discussion
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The most common form of double check involves one piece moving to deliver check and a revealed discovered check at the same time from a piece behind. (Such a check is an inherent part of the type of smothered mate known as Philidor's legacy.) The only possible replies to a double check are king moves, since capturing the checking piece is not an option since there are two of them (unless it is the king that captures, which in the process moves out of check by the other piece), and interposition is likewise impossible as there are two lines of attack to block.
In exceptional circumstances, it is possible for the moved piece not to participate in the double check. The only way for this to happen in orthodox chess is by way of an en passant pawn capture. In the position shown at right, Black has just played 1...g7–g5. White replies 2.hxg6 e.p.++. This is a double check even though the pawn that White just moved does not give check. Rather, one check is given by the rook, the other by the bishop; the former is discovered by the movement of the capturing pawn, the latter by the removal of the captured pawn. Such a double check is extremely rare in practical play, but is sometimes found in problems.
Réti–Tartakower, 1910| a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | ||
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Aron Nimzowitsch wrote that, "Even the laziest king flees wildly in the face of a double check." Because the only possible response to a double check is a king move, the double check is often an important tactical motif. A famous example is Réti–Tartakower, Vienna 1910, which arose after 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nf6 5.Qd3 e5?! 6.dxe5 Qa5+ 7.Bd2 Qxe5 8.0-0-0! Nxe4?? 9.Qd8+!! (sacrificing a queen in order to set up a double check) Kxd8 10.Bg5++ and White mates after 10...Ke8 11.Rd8# or 10...Kc7 11.Bd8#
A double check was also seen in the celebrated Evergreen Game, Anderssen–Dufresne, 1852. From the diagram at right, Anderssen won with 20.Rxe7+! Nxe7 21.Qxd7+!! (a queen sacrifice to set up a deadly double check) Kxd7 22.Bf5++ Ke8 (or 22...Kc6 23.Bd7#) 23.Bd7+ Kf8 24.Bxe7#
Variants and triple check
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In chess with variant rules or fairy pieces, other ways of delivering a double check may be possible. Triple, quadruple and even quintuple checks may also be possible, for example in the position shown, after Black plays 1...d5, White plays 2.exd6 e.p. quintuple check (the moa is a non-leaping knight which first takes a diagonal step, then an orthogonal one). After the en passant capture, both moas, the rook, the grasshopper and the bishop check the black king.
In xiangqi, a Chinese version of chess, triple check and even quadruple check is possible even without using fairy chess pieces, as in the following examples:
      Triple check: Red moves his horse from e5 to d7, giving check and exposing a double check from chariot and cannon. |
Quadruple check : Red moved his chariot from f9 to e9 which suddenly uncovers two checks from the horses, makes a check of its own, and makes a platform for the cannon at e7 to give yet another check. |
References
- ^ Hooper, David (1992), The Oxford Companion to Chess (second ed.), Oxford University Press, p. 113, ISBN 0-19-866164-9
{{citation}}:|first2=missing|last2=(help) - ^ Golombek, Harry (1977), Golombek's Encyclopedia of Chess, Crown Publishing, p. 88, ISBN 0-517-53146-1
- Tim Just and Daniel Burg, 2003, U.S. Chess Federation's Official Rules of Chess, 5th ed., ISBN 978-0-8129-2, p. 218
- Nimzowitsch, Aron (1947), My System (second ed.), David McKay, p. 130, ISBN 0-679-14025-5
- Chernev, Irving (1955), 1000 Best Short Games of Chess, Simon and Schuster, p. 18
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