Editing Cross-check (chess) (section)

In [[chess]], a '''cross-check''' (or '''counter-check''') is a [[Chess tactics|tactic]] in which a [[check (chess)|check]] is played in response to a check, especially when the original check is blocked by a [[chess piece|piece]] that itself either delivers check or reveals a [[discovered check]] from another piece. Sometimes the term is extended to cover cases in which the [[King (chess)|king]] moves out of check and reveals a [[discovered check]] from another piece (this is also known as a ''royal check''); it does not generally apply to cases where the original checking piece is captured.

The cross-check is an essential tactic in winning some [[chess endgame|endgames]] such as those with two [[queen (chess)|queens]] versus one, or a [[queen and pawn versus queen endgame|queen and pawn versus a queen]].  In these cases, the defense usually tries for a [[perpetual check]] and sometimes the stronger side can stop it only by a cross-check.
{{algebraic notation|pos=tocleft}}