Pitfalls: Double attack (2)
In every exercise in this lesson, White can make a double attack in two ways. One works, but the other is a pitfall. It's up to you to find the correct double attack!
Black uses a counter-attack in this lesson to escape the double attack.
Take a look at the example to see how this works.
To avoid falling into the pitfall, , 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 defend by means of a counter-attack?
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 by means of a counter-attack.
White has two options for a double attack with the queen. In both situations, the double attack is aimed at Black's rook and knight.
Can you find the squares where White's queen makes a double attack?
The queen can move to either f4 or c3 for a double attack.
But Qf3-f4 (red arrow) is not good. It is easy for Black to save both his pieces.
How? By making sure that White does not have time to capture.
He gives check with the rook (Re5-e1+).
The white queen cannot capture the rook, nor can she take the knight now: White must get out of check first.
This gives Black the chance to save the knight.
A double attack with the queen on c3 does work.
The queen guards the e1 square and disallows Black to defend.
