Discovered Attack Chess Tactics

Q: What is the Windmill tactic?

The Windmill is a devastating tactic featuring a series of discovered checks. The attacker repeatedly checks the King, forcing it to move back and forth, allowing the checking piece to capture material with discovered attacks on every other move.

Q: What is a Double Check?

A Double Check occurs when two different pieces check the King simultaneously. This usually happens when a piece moves to give check, discovering a second check from a piece behind it. The King MUST move, as it cannot capture or block two pieces at once.

A Discovered Attack occurs when you move a piece out of the way, revealing a line of attack from a piece standing behind it (usually a Queen, Rook, or Bishop). It is one of the most dangerous tactics in chess because you can create two simultaneous threats with a single move.

Famous Historical Examples

1. The "Windmill" (Torre vs. Lasker)

Moscow, 1925

White to move (26. Rxg7+!)
Carlos Torre sacrificed his Queen to reach this position. He plays 26. Rxg7+. The King is forced to h8. Then, White plays Rxf7+, discovering check from the Bishop on f6. This pattern repeats, allowing the Rook to sweep the 7th rank clean.

2. The Double Check (Reti vs. Tartakower)

Vienna, 1910

White to move (10. Bg5+!)
A stunning miniature. White plays 10. Bg5+! (Double Check). The King is attacked by the Bishop on g5 and the Rook on d1. The King must move to c7 or e8, leading to mate in one (Bd8# or Rd8#).

3. Petrosian's Sham Sacrifice

Petrosian vs. Matanovic (1959)

White to move (22. Nb6!)
Petrosian played 22. Nb6!, jumping the Knight out of the way to discover an attack by the Rook on c1 against the Black Queen. This "sham sacrifice" leads to a winning position.

Tactical Patterns & Traps

4. The French Defense Trap

Common Opening Pitfall

White to move (9. Bb5+!)
Black greedily grabbed the pawn on d4 with the Queen. White punishes this with 9. Bb5+!. The Bishop moves out of the way with check, allowing the White Queen to capture the exposed Black Queen on d4 next move.

5. Duras vs. Cohn (1907)

Carlsbad Tournament

White to move (41. c4+!)
White plays 41. c4+!. The pawn gives check, forcing the King to move. This deflection opens the long diagonal for the White Queen (f6) to strike the Black Rook on b2.

6. Gelfand vs. Balashov (1987)

Minsk

White to move (33. e4!)
White plays 33. e4!. This pawn thrust attacks the Black rook and also x-ray defends c1 if the rook moves - which means the bishop is no longer pinned.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Double Check?

A Double Check (like in Reti vs. Tartakower) occurs when the piece moving out of the way also gives check. This means the King is attacked by two pieces at once. It is arguably the most forcing move in chess because the King must move; he cannot block two lines or capture two pieces simultaneously.

What is the Windmill tactic?

The Windmill (or "See-Saw") is a sequence where a player uses a series of discovered checks to win massive material. The most famous example is Torre vs. Lasker, where a Rook and Bishop battery destroyed the opponent's position.

What pieces can perform a Discovered Attack?

The "rear" piece (the one being revealed) must be a long-range piece: a Queen, Rook, or Bishop. The "front" piece (the one moving out of the way) can be any piece, including the King or a Pawn.

Discovered Attack: The Art of the "Ambush"