Forced move

A forced move is a reply whose choice is extremely restricted. In the strictest sense, it is the only legal move. For example, a player in check may have only one legal way to keep the king safe.

In practical usage, a move is also called forced when other legal choices exist but all allow mate, a decisive loss in piece and pawn value, or some other immediate and clearly unacceptable result. This second meaning depends on analysis: if an alternative thought to lose is actually viable, the move was not truly forced.

One forced reply may begin a forced sequence and lead to a forced win or forced draw. It should not be confused with a forcing move. A forcing move creates a threat and restricts the opponent’s replies; a forced move is the restricted reply the opponent must find.