Glossary · Chess
Forced move
A move that is the only reply avoiding an immediate and decisive loss, or the only legal move.
A move is forced when every alternative loses at once. This happens when the king is in check with one escape, or when any other reply allows mate or a decisive material gain. A forcing move leaves the opponent only forced replies, and best defence follows a sequence of forced moves.
edition v3.0 · 2026slug forced-moveFR Coup forcé
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