Forcing move

A forcing move makes the opponent address an immediate consequence and therefore restricts the available replies. A check is the clearest case: the next move must end the attack on the king. A capture or concrete threat can also be forcing when ignoring it would cause a serious loss.

Forcing does not mean that only one reply exists. A check may allow several defenses, and a capture may be ignored if the opponent has a stronger counterattack. The point is that the set of reasonable replies becomes small, making calculation of variations, imagined move sequences, easier and more reliable.

These moves are often examined early when forming candidate moves, especially through the checks, captures, threats scan. A forcing move is not necessarily good, however. It may lead to an inferior position, lose material, meaning pieces or pawns, or drive the opponent toward a favorable defense.

Accurate analysis also searches for the opponent's forcing replies, such as a check against your king or a capture inserted before answering the original threat.