Discovered attack

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This article uses algebraic notation to describe chess moves.

In chess, a discovered attack is an attack revealed when one piece moves out of the way of another.[1] Discovered attacks can be extremely powerful, as the piece moved can make a threat independently of the piece it reveals. Like many chess tactics, they succeed because the opponent is unable to meet two threats at once. While typically the consequence of a discovered attack is the gain of material, they do not have to do this to be effective; the tactic can be used merely to gain a tempo.[2]

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[edit] Types

When the moving piece gives check to the opponent's king, the maneuver is often described as a discovered attack with check. When the discovered attack is itself a check, it is called a discovered check. If both pieces give check, a double check results.

Discovered attacks - especially checks - can win material when the moving piece captures an opposing piece nominally protected by another opposing piece. If the opponent deals with the discovered attack (obligatory if it is a check), the attacking player will have time to return the moving piece out of harm's way. This scenario is often referred to as a discovered attack (or check) with capture.

When the moving piece moves to a square from which it threatens to inflict checkmate on the next move, the tactic is called a discovered attack with mate threat.

[edit] Example

Image:chess zhor 26.png
Image:chess zver 26.png a8 rd b8 c8 bd d8 e8 kd f8 bd g8 nd h8 rd Image:chess zver 26.png
a7 pd b7 pd c7 d7 e7 f7 pd g7 pd h7 pd
a6 b6 c6 d6 e6 pd f6 g6 h6
a5 b5 xx c5 d5 pd e5 pl f5 g5 h5
a4 b4 c4 d4 qd e4 f4 g4 h4
a3 b3 c3 d3 bl e3 f3 g3 h3
a2 pl b2 pl c2 d2 e2 f2 pl g2 pl h2 pl
a1 rl b1 nl c1 bl d1 ql e1 kl f1 g1 h1 rl
Image:chess zhor 26.png
Position after 6. ... Qxd4. 7. Bb5+ (×) wins Black's queen with a discovered attack with check.

The diagram illustrates a trap in the Advance Variation of the French Defence, based on a discovered attack. If after 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 cxd4 5.cxd4 Qb6 6.Bd3, Black mistakenly attempts to win White's d4 pawn with 6. ... Qxd4?? (diagram), White can play 7.Bb5+, a discovered attack (of Black's queen with White's queen) with check. Whatever Black replies, White can follow up with 8.Qxd4.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Discovered Attack Article at Chesscorner.com
  2. ^ More detailed tutorial at MarkLowery.net

[edit] External links