Pitfalls: Double attack (1)
Fancy an ice cream? Chessto has one for you. Two even! If you have the choice, which one do you choose? Do you go for the ice cream drawing (left) or do you choose the real ice cream (right)? The second one, isn't it?
Something similar happens in this lesson. Except that it's not about ice cream, but about double attacks.
There are always two possibilities: one is the right solution, the other is a pitfall. In the double attack pitfall, the opponent can defend both pieces in one move. For example, by moving away, protecting, capturing or blocking.
Take a look at the example.
This is a double attack that is of no use.
The correct double attack is sometimes a bit harder to find. But when you play it, the opponent can only save one piece.
Gotcha! Next, you capture the other piece.
To avoid falling into pitfalls, ask yourself these questions:
- Are you attacking two things at the same time?
Yes: You have found a double attack, go to 2
No: It's not a double attack, keep looking
- Can the opponent find a clever defense?
Yes: Whoops, you almost fell into the pitfall. Look further
No: Gotcha! Er.... Are you certain? Go to 3
- Make sure your solution is correct
Find the other double attack as well.
Is this indeed a save double attack? Then your answer is correct: make the move.
What do you have to do?
Win material with a double attack. Make sure the other player can't defend both of his pieces.
White has two options for a double attack with his queen. Try to find them.
It looks good for the queen to go to e5. That's a nice double attack on the rook and the king, right?
Well... no.
Black has a sharp defense: he moves his rook to f6 (Rd6-f6). The rooks moves out of the attack and manages to block the check at the same time.
We have found the double attack dupe.
Think again. Can you spot the double attack that does work?
Gotcha!
White moves the queen to e7 (Qe3-e7). This is also a double attack on the rook and the king. But this time, Black can only get out of check.
White wins a rook!
