GambitTales

Six tactics win most chess games — and each one is a character with a story. Learn to see the pin, the fork, and the skewer, then play the move that wins.

Level 1

Train your tactics

Read the board, name the pattern, and play the winning move — the same skill as the iOS app, rebuilt for the browser.

Tactics Trainer Name the tactic, then play the winning move on a real board. A hint appears whenever you get stuck. Basic Checkmates new The first thing every coach teaches: drive the lone king to the edge and mate it — Queen, the two-rook ladder, and Rook. The engine checks every move for the beginner’s stalemate trap. Tactic Motifs new Eight advanced motifs beyond the six core tactics — hanging piece, deflection, trapped piece, and mate in one and two — each taught by the character who lives by it, on real-game combinations. Pattern Detective Quick-fire: look at a position and spot which of the six tactics wins. Build your pattern sense. Tactics Rush new Solve as many tactics as you can in 90 seconds — the puzzles get harder as you go. Beat your best. Puzzle of the Day One fresh tactical puzzle every day — the same one for everyone, no account needed. Free Play Play a full game against the coach — pick your side and difficulty, then put your tactics to work. Review Your Misses The tactics you got wrong come back here — spaced out so they return just as you’re about to forget them.

Learn one tactic at a time

Each tactic is a character who shows you their trick. Pick one to drill just those puzzles.

The Pin — with Sir Pinwell Trap a piece that can’t move without losing something bigger. The Fork — with the Twin Knights One piece attacks two at once — they can’t both escape. The Skewer — with Lady Skewer Force a big piece to move and win the one hiding behind it. The Discovered Attack — with Captain Crossfire Move one piece to unleash an attack from another. The Double Attack — with the Glass Lantern One move, two threats — the opponent can only answer one. The X-Ray — with Veil & Vow Attack straight through a defender to the piece behind it.

Concept Kits 16 kits · 400 questions

Short multiple-choice rounds on the ideas behind the moves — how the pieces move, reading the board and notation, check & checkmate, piece values, the tactics (pin, fork, skewer, discovered & double attacks), checkmate patterns, opening principles, spotting tactics, defense, endgames, pawn play, strategy, and a capstone. A hint appears whenever you get stuck; your progress stays on this device.