IX
File.—Each line of squares stretching from one player’s side of the board to the other is termed a “file,” and appears perpendicular in printed diagrams. Each file is named from the piece which originally stood on its outermost square, as the King’s file, the Queen’s file, the K R’s file, and so on. The lines of squares stretching horizontally across the board are termed “ranks.”
File: Open.—An open file is one unoccupied by pieces or Pawns, and it is a great point that a Rook should be played so as to command such a file. In the diagram on page 289 the K B’s file is “open,” whilst White has doubled his Rooks on the otherwise “open” K Kt’s file.
Fork.—A term originally applied to the attack of a Pawn upon two of the opponent’s men at the same time. It is now, however, so extended as to include the minor pieces when any one of them—more especially the Kt, however—attacks two pieces at the same time.
In the diagram the Black Pawn on Q Kt 4 “forks” the Q and B. If White plays P Q 4 ch, then the P “forks” both K and Q. If the Kt goes to Q 7 ch, it also “forks” K and Q. Similarly if Kt B 3 it “forks” the Q and R, and lastly, if B takes Kt ch, it “forks” K and Q. A “fork” from a Kt on two superior pieces is always dangerous, and often fatal, whilst that from a Pawn is also dangerous.
