Attack | Chess Glossary

Attack

Definition

An attack in chess is any coordinated attempt to create threats—often against the enemy king, but also against key pieces, squares, or structures. In casual and online slang, players say they are “going for the attack” or “sending it” when launching a direct offensive, sometimes with a bold Sac to rip open lines. You’ll also hear phrases like “caveman attack,” “king hunt,” or “push Harry” when a pawn storm with the h-pawn is involved (see Harry and Pawn storm).

Usage

Players and commentators use “attack” to describe plans such as a kingside assault after opposite‑side castling, a central breakthrough, or pressure on a file or diagonal. In live commentary, chat, and bullet/blitz settings, “Attack!” often signals a decisive switch from buildup to forcing play.

• “White has a kingside attack after O-O-O; g4–g5 is coming.”
• “Black’s counterattack on the c-file distracts White from the mating net.”
• “All-in attack: rook lift to h3 and sac on h7!”

Strategic significance

Strong attacks usually arise from advantages in time, space, and piece activity (the Initiative). Classic preconditions include a lead in development, open lines toward the king, and weakened light or dark squares. Good attackers coordinate every piece, target defenders, and calculate forcing sequences that end in checkmate or decisive material gains.

• Time: faster development and mobilization.
• Space: room for piece maneuvers and pawn storms.
• Targets: weak squares, a drafty king, pinned or Overworked defenders.
• Forcing moves: checks, captures, and threats that restrict the opponent’s replies.

Common attacking motifs and patterns

• Piece coordination: Battery (Q+R or Q+B) and Rook lift.
• Line-opening: pawn breaks and the Central break.
• Tactical themes: Discovery, Discovered check, Double check, Pin, Skewer, Fork, X-ray.
• Sacrifices: Exchange sac, Queen sac, intuitive or speculative Sac to shatter a king’s shelter.
• Mating patterns: Greek gift (Bxh7+/Bxh2+), Smothered mate, Back rank mate, Windmill.
• Assault types: Pawn storm leading to a King hunt.

How to launch a sound attack (practical checklist)

1. Mobilize: complete development; bring more attackers than there are defenders.
2. Open lines: prepare a pawn break or sacrifice to open files/diagonals toward the king.
3. Target and overload: remove defenders with exchanges or deflections.
4. Calculate forcing lines: prioritize checks, captures, and threats.
5. Improve the worst-placed piece: every tempo matters in an attack.
6. Finish the job: convert to mate or decisive material, or smoothly transition if the defense holds.

Defending and counterattacking

Good defense uses Prophylaxis and timely counterplay. Trade attacking pieces, return material to eliminate threats, and hit back in the center or on the other wing. If your opponent overextends, tactics like Deflection, Interference, and counter-sacrifices can turn the tables.

Examples

Classic attacking miniature: Morphy’s famous “Opera Game” (Morphy vs. Duke Karl/Count Isouard, Paris Opera, 1858). Watch how rapid development, a rook lift idea, and line-opening tactics cascade into mate:

Moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Bg4 4. dxe5 Bxf3 5. Qxf3 dxe5 6. Bc4 Nf6 7. Qb3 Qe7 8. Nc3 c6 9. Bg5 b5 10. Nxb5! cxb5 11. Bxb5+ Nbd7 12. O-O-O Rd8 13. Rxd7! Rxd7 14. Rd1 Qe6 15. Bxd7+ Nxd7 16. Qb8+! Nxb8 17. Rd8#

Greek gift theme (Bxh7+) leading to a direct king hunt—common in the French and Caro–Kann structures:

Sample line: 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. Bd3 O-O 7. h4 c5 8. Bxh7+! Kxh7 9. Qh5+ Kg8 10. Nf3

Historical and modern context

Attacking play defined the Romantic era (Anderssen, Morphy) and took on new depth with Mikhail Tal’s intuitive sacrifices and Garry Kasparov’s dynamic initiative. Engines (Stockfish, AlphaZero, Leela) revealed both spectacular attacking resources and defensive ideas, raising the bar for soundness in sacrificial play. Many brilliancies still win “Brilliancy prize” awards.

Famous attacking showcases include the “Immortal Game” (Anderssen vs. Kieseritzky, 1851), “Opera Game” (Morphy, 1858), “Game of the Century” (Byrne vs. Fischer, 1956), and Kasparov vs. Topalov (Wijk aan Zee, 1999).

Tips and common pitfalls

• Bring all your pieces: a lone queen attack usually fails.
• Open lines first; then sacrifice if the follow-up is forced.
• Don’t attack from a worse position—fix your structure and king safety.
• Avoid “hope chess” and the “Patzer gives a check” mindset; calculate concrete lines.
• If the attack stalls, switch fronts or simplify to a Technical win.
• Online blitz/bullet: attacks are practical weapons, but watch for Mouse Slips and Flagging battles.

Related terms

• Attacking themes: King hunt, Pawn storm, Battery, Discovery, Windmill.
• Sacrifices: Sac, Exchange sac, Queen sac.
• Positional foundations: Initiative, Open file, Outpost, Weak square, King safety.
• Countermeasures: Prophylaxis, Counterplay, Fortress.

Quick takeaway

A great attack blends preparation and calculation: improve your worst piece, open lines at the right moment, outnumber the defenders, and finish with a forcing sequence. Study classics, drill tactical patterns, and practice converting initiative into checkmate or material—core skills for confident attacking chess.