A tactical motif where moving one piece reveals an attack by another piece, often leading to a powerful threat.
Introduction
A discovered attack in chess is a powerful tactical motif where one piece moves, uncovering an attack from another piece behind it. This tactic can lead to devastating consequences, as the opponent may struggle to defend against two threats at once.
What makes a discovered attack so dangerous? How can you set up and execute it in your own games? And what are some famous examples? This article explores the mechanics, variations, and strategic applications of the discovered attack.
1. What Is a Discovered Attack?
A discovered attack occurs when a piece moves, revealing an attack from another piece that was previously blocked.
✔ The moving piece does not make the direct attack but allows the piece behind it to do so.
✔ If the discovered attack is also a check, it is called a discovered check.
✔ This tactic can force the opponent into a losing position by creating multiple threats.
✅ Example of a Basic Discovered Attack:
- White has a bishop on b2 and a knight on d4.
- White moves the knight, revealing an attack from the bishop on Black’s queen.
2. Types of Discovered Attacks
2.1 Simple Discovered Attack
- A piece moves, uncovering an attack from a second piece.
✅ Example:
- White has a bishop on c1 and a knight on d4.
- White plays Nd4-b5, uncovering a bishop attack on Black’s rook on a8.
2.2 Discovered Check
- A discovered check occurs when the uncovered attack is a check against the opponent’s king.
- The moving piece is free to attack another piece while delivering check.
✅ Example:
- White plays Nd5+, revealing a check from a bishop on b2.
- The knight also captures a valuable piece at the same time.
2.3 Double Check
- A double check happens when both the moving piece and the discovered piece deliver check simultaneously.
- This is one of the most powerful attacks because the king must move—blocking or capturing one attacking piece is not an option.
✅ Example:
- White has a rook on e1 and a bishop on c4.
- White plays Nd6++, delivering check from the knight and the bishop simultaneously.
3. Why Are Discovered Attacks So Powerful?
✔ Creates Multiple Threats → The opponent has to deal with two attacks at once.
✔ Leads to Forced Wins → A well-timed discovered attack can win material or deliver checkmate.
✔ Works in All Phases of the Game → Can be used in openings, middlegames, and endgames.
✅ Example of a Winning Discovered Attack:
- White has a bishop on b2 and a rook on e1.
- White plays Nd5!, attacking Black’s queen and uncovering a bishop attack on Black’s king.
- Black loses the queen due to the double threat.
4. How to Set Up a Discovered Attack
4.1 Align Your Pieces
- Place one attacking piece behind another, so moving the front piece unleashes the attack.
- Look for long-range pieces like bishops, rooks, and queens for maximum effect.
4.2 Force Your Opponent into a Vulnerable Position
- Pin pieces to limit movement, making the discovered attack more effective.
- Use tempo moves to force the opponent’s pieces into bad squares.
4.3 Choose the Right Time to Strike
- A discovered attack is most effective when it forces the opponent into a losing position.
- Ensure the piece you move creates an additional threat.
✅ Example:
- White has a bishop on g2 and a rook on e1.
- White plays Nd5, uncovering a bishop attack on Black’s queen while attacking a knight.
5. Famous Games Featuring Discovered Attacks
5.1 Morphy’s Opera Game (1858)
- Paul Morphy used a discovered attack with his bishop to force a decisive checkmate.
✅ Final Move:
- White moved a knight, unleashing a deadly discovered attack leading to checkmate.
5.2 Fischer vs. Spassky (1972 World Championship)
- Fischer used a discovered attack in the middlegame to gain a material advantage.
5.3 Kasparov vs. Karpov (1985 World Championship)
- Kasparov used a double check (a discovered attack and check at the same time) to force Karpov’s king into the open.
6. How to Practice Discovered Attacks
✔ Solve Chess Puzzles → Look for patterns involving hidden piece alignments.
✔ Analyze Grandmaster Games → Study how top players set up and execute discovered attacks.
✔ Play Slow Games → In rapid or classical games, focus on finding tactical motifs like discovered attacks.
✔ Use Chess Engines → Analyze your games to find missed discovered attack opportunities.
7. How to Defend Against Discovered Attacks
✔ Be Aware of Opponent’s Piece Alignments → If your opponent has a bishop, rook, or queen behind another piece, look for possible discovered attacks.
✔ Avoid Pinning Your Own Pieces → Pinned pieces cannot move, making them vulnerable to discovered attacks.
✔ Keep Your King Safe → Ensure your king is not aligned with an opponent’s long-range piece.
✔ Neutralize the Threat Before It Happens → If your opponent is setting up a discovered attack, try to disrupt their plans before they execute it.
✅ Example:
- Black notices White’s bishop on b2 and knight on d4.
- Instead of allowing Nd5, Black plays …c6, blocking the knight’s movement.
8. Conclusion
The discovered attack is one of the most powerful tactical weapons in chess, capable of winning material, forcing checkmate, or gaining the initiative. Mastering this tactic will increase your ability to spot winning combinations and improve your overall chess vision.
✔ Use long-range pieces (bishops, rooks, queens) to set up discovered attacks.
✔ Look for double threats, including discovered checks and double checks.
✔ Time your discovered attacks correctly to maximize their impact.
✔ Defend against them by avoiding unnecessary piece alignments.
By studying and practicing discovered attacks, you will develop a sharper tactical eye and become a stronger, more dangerous chess player!
