Attack
Also known as:offensive
An offensive in a chess game, the most decisive way to reach your goal. Its success depends on many positional factors:
- an advantage in the center or control of the central squares
- a more active placement of the pieces
- superior force in the sector of the board under attack
- weak points in the opponent's position, among other factors
In other words, an attack does not arise spontaneously — it is the result of a carefully thought-out strategic plan.
Attack on the king
The targets of an attack can vary, but the chief one is the enemy king. Among attacks on the king, the following types stand out:
| Type of attack | Features |
|---|---|
| Same-side castling | With kings castled on the same side, the play is usually with pieces |
| Opposite-side castling | A pawn storm is usually used to break up the king's cover |
| Against a king stuck in the center | This kind of attack arises when a poorly played opening leaves the king unable to find shelter on a flank |
Other kinds of attack
The targets of a flank attack are weak pawns and vulnerable points in the opponent's camp that pieces can occupy to advantage. Seizing open and half-open files with the rooks also matters greatly for finishing an attack successfully.
One typical kind of flank attack often seen in modern tournament practice is the so-called "minority attack".
Of course, these are not all the types of attack. Several are covered in the entries "Pawn structure" and "Pawn storm," while the means of reaching the goal, closely tied to a successful attack, are covered in the entry "Tactics."