TACTICS

DOUBLE ATTACK

Double attack is a tactical procedure where two opposing pieces are attacked at the same time.

1.Qd4 and Queen threatens checkmate on g7 or h8 as well as taking the knight from a7.

In this position in the Sicilian defense, after the moves 1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.Nf3 e5 White cannot capture the black pawn on e5 because of Qa5, with the loss of the knight.

1.Qc3+ Kh7 2.Qe1 with double attack on the rook on h4 and the bishop on e6.

1.Rxd7 Qxd7 2.Nxf6+ and the Black loses the Queen.

1.Bxf6! gxf6 2.Nxf6+ with check and attack at black Queen.

1…Nxd4 2.exd4 e4 with an attack on the Bishop and Knight.

1.Nxe5 Rxe5 2.f4

2. THE BREAKTHROUGH ATTACK

The breakthrough attack is done by moving a piece to open the way for another piece to attack. It is an extremely dangerous tactical procedure that unites the strength of two pieces for attack.

1.Nf6!

1…Nxd3 Rxh7#

1…gxf6 Qxh7#

1…Rd1!

2.Rxd1 Qxf3

2.Qxc6 Rxe1#

1.Qxf6 gxf6 2.Rg4+ and White gains a knight.

1.Bd5!

1…Bxd5 2.Rxf8+ Bg8 3.Rxg8#

1…Rxf2 2.Qg8#

1…Qxd5 2.Rxf8+ Qg8 3.Rxg8#

1… Rxd5 2.Rxf8#

1…Qe7 2.Rxf8+ Qxf8 3.Rxf8#

1…Rd8 2.Rxf8+ Rxf8 3.Rxf8#

3. DOUBLE CHECK

Double check is a very powerful weapon because no piece can get in the way and no capture can remove the check.

1…Qg2+ 2.Kxg2 Nf4++! 3.Kg1 Nh3#.

1.Qd8+ Kxd8 2.Bg5++

2…Ke8 3.Rd8#

2…Kc7 3.Bd8#

1.Nh6++ Kf8/h8 2.Rg8#

4. TYING

By tying, we mean the involvement of three pieces aiming at an opposing piece whose defense is interposed with another opposing piece.

1.Rxh6 gxh6 2.Rg1 and Black loses the Queen.

1…Rxa3 2.bxa3 Qxd2.

1.Rxf4 exf4 2.Bh8 followed by checkmate with the Queen to g7.

5. RONTGEN ATTACK

This tactical procedure is done by attacking through the body of an opponent’s piece.

1.Rh6+

1…Kf5 2.Rh5+

1…Kf7 2.Rh8 Rxa7 3.Rh7+

1.Rc8!

1…Rxc8 2.Qe7 Qc6 3.d8Q+

1…Qxd7 2.Qf8+ followed by checkmate.

6. INTERCEPTION

Interception involves isolating a part of the chess board, thus interrupting the action of important opposing pieces.

Here White is planning to isolate the Black Queen from the King’s defense, then to move it into checkmate position.

1.Ne6+ fxe6 2. Qf8+ Kc7 3.Qxe7+ Kb8 4.Rh8+ Bc8 5.Rxc8+ Kxc8 6.Ba6+ Kb8 7.Qb7#

1.Rd5!!

1…Rxd5 2.Qf6#

1…Qxd5 2.Qxd8#

1.Be8!!

1…Rxe8 2.Qxf8+ Rxf8 3.Rxf8#

1…Qe7 2.Qxf8+ Qxf8 3.Rxf8#

7. DEFLECTION

The deflection is intended to send away an opponent’s defending piece.

Here White aims to deflect the black Queen from the defense of the pawn on h4.

1.Rb8

1…Qxb8 2.Qxh4 and then checkmate with the Queen on h7.

1.axb4 Qxa1+ 2.Kd2 Qxh1 3.Qxc6+ bxc6 4.Ba6#

1.Qxb4

1…Rxb4 2.Rc8+ Ng8 3.Rxg8 Kxg8 4.Re8#

1…Re8 2.Qxe7 Qxe7 3.Rxe7 Rxe7 4.Rc8#

8. DIRECTING

Directing is a tactical procedure by which certain pieces of the opponent are led to certain squares where they are captured or a checkmate or material advantage is obtained.