Fundamentals 6
Basic Attacks

Checks, captures and threats

Start every move by asking what changed after the opponent’s last move. Then scan checks, captures and threats for both sides. Checks demand a legal response. Captures change material immediately. Threats promise something on the next move, so the opponent may have time to answer.

An attack simply means a piece controls a square occupied by an enemy piece. It does not mean you should capture. A threat is urgent only when it creates a useful consequence: winning material, delivering mate or forcing a damaging concession.

Look at the opponent’s forcing moves before your own plan. The fastest way to spoil an attack is to ignore a check or a hanging piece.

Find a useful target

A loose piece is undefended. A piece can also be tactically vulnerable when it is defended only once, pinned to the king or protected by an overloaded defender that has two jobs.

Kings are the most important targets. Open lines and weak squares around a king can matter more than a pawn. But do not attack the king merely because it looks exciting. Count how many pieces can join and whether the centre can open against your own king.

Other useful targets include queens, trapped pieces, backward pawns and key defenders. Pick the target that your pieces can reach safely.

Count attackers and defenders

For a contested square, count every legal attacker and defender. A pinned piece may not be able to recapture. A distant sliding piece counts only if the path is clear.

Numbers alone are not enough. Consider piece values and capture order. Trading a queen first for a defended pawn is bad even when you have more attackers. Usually start exchanges with the least valuable suitable attacker, then recalculate after every capture because lines can open and defenders can disappear.

Build the attack

Bring another piece toward the target, open a line with a pawn break or remove an important defender. Improving your worst-placed piece is often stronger than making a hopeful sacrifice.

When attacking a king, keep your own king safe and avoid sending every piece away from defence. If the opponent can simplify with a queen trade, decide whether your attack survives the exchange.

A good attack usually grows from active pieces and a real weakness. If you cannot name the target or the next useful piece, improve your position instead of pushing another pawn.

Common attacking mistakes

• Seeing only your own threat and missing the opponent’s check.
• Capturing because a piece is attacked without counting recaptures.
• Attacking with the queen alone while the other pieces watch.
• Opening lines near your own king.
• Sacrificing because a position “looks dangerous” without calculating a concrete result.

Use this sentence before committing: “My target is ___. I attack it ___ times, it is defended ___ times, and their strongest reply is ___.”

Practice and memory card

1. What should you scan before making a plan?
2. Does attacking a piece mean you should capture it?
3. Why can a pinned defender sometimes be left out of the count?
4. Name two ways to strengthen an attack.