This is the 18039th most frequent Russian word.
фору
Advantage or handicap (in the context of sports or competition).
In this sentence, 'фору' refers to giving someone a starting advantage or handicap in a competition.
Я дал ему фору в шахматах, чтобы у него был шанс выиграть.
I gave him a handicap in chess so he would have a chance to win.
Here, 'фору' is used to indicate an advantageous condition given to balance an unequal situation.
Чтобы уравнять шансы, сопернику предоставляют фору.
To equalize the chances, the opponent is given an advantage.
In this context, 'фору' implies taking an advantage or being ahead in a figurative sense.