Raking bishops - chess motif

Raking bishops

Definition

Raking bishops is a tactical and strategic motif where both of your bishops operate on long, open diagonals in parallel, “raking” across the board to create overlapping threats. Because the bishops cover both color complexes and often point at the enemy king, they generate mating nets, decisive pins, and material gains. In commentary you may hear “raking bishops of death,” highlighting how dangerous a free-flowing bishop pair can be.

How it is used in chess

• King attacks: Aim your bishops toward the enemy castled king (e.g., Bc4/Bb2 at f7/g7 or …Bc5/…Bb7 at f2/g2) to create continuous mating threats and force concessions.
• Line opening: Use pawn breaks and sacrifices to clear files and diagonals so the bishops can fully “rake” the board.
• Coordination: Combine raking bishops with a queen or rook battery on an open file to overload defenders.
• Endgame squeeze: In open endgames, the bishop pair often dominates, restricting the opponent’s pieces and pawns.

Strategic significance

• Power of the pair: The motif showcases why the Two bishops (the Bishop pair) are prized in open positions.
• Fianchetto synergy: Single or double Fianchetto setups frequently yield long raking diagonals (e.g., Bb2/Bg2 or …Bb7/…Bg7).
• Board control and safety: Raking bishops impose long-range control and support King safety by suppressing counterplay.
• Justifying sacrifices: Strong diagonals can justify a Positional sacrifice or Exchange sac to open lines permanently.

Tactical patterns and synergies to know

• Diagonal pressure with a Battery (often queen + bishop), amplified by the second bishop to overload defenders around f7/f2 and g7/g2.
• X-ray and Skewer: Long diagonals allow hidden pressure; once a blocker moves, material falls.
• Deflection and Decoy: Luring a key defender off a diagonal unleashes the bishops.
• Line clearance: Pawn or piece sacrifices that vacate diagonals often unlock the bishops’ full potential.
• Compare to crossing-diagonal mates like Boden's mate to understand parallel vs. intersecting bishop themes.

Example position: model “raking bishops” pressure

White’s bishops on c4 and b2 rake the sensitive f7 and g7 squares near the Black king. Even without a forced tactic, Black is under constant long-diagonal pressure.

Example mini-line: breaking open lines for the bishops

This short training snippet (English/Hypermodern structure) shows how central breaks and development can activate raking bishops toward f7 and g7.

After White’s breaks (notably d4), the bishops on b2 and g2 can become raking powerhouses once more lines open.

Openings where raking bishops frequently appear

• Sicilian Dragon/Accelerated Dragon: …Bg7 combined with …Bb7/…Bc5; White often aims Bc4/Bb3 against f7/g7 in Yugoslav-type structures. See Sicilian Defense.
• King’s Indian structures: Both sides can fianchetto; diagonals toward the enemy king are critical. See King's Indian Defense.
• English/Catalan systems: Double-fianchetto (Bb2 + Bg2) is common and harmonious for raking diagonals. See English Opening.
• Grünfeld/Modern: Hypermodern control of the center often yields open long diagonals.

Practical tips

• Open the board: Use timely pawn breaks (c4/c5, f4/f5, b4/b5) to clear diagonals.
• Trade the right pieces: Favor exchanges that remove enemy knights and the opposing-squared bishop that blocks your lines.
• Be bold if justified: Consider a thematic Vacating sacrifice or Exchange sac if it permanently opens key diagonals near the king.
• Prophylaxis: If your opponent is close to achieving raking bishops, blunt them with pawn chains and blockaders on key dark/light squares.
• Stay tactical: With raking bishops, checks on long diagonals, sudden X-ray shots, or a well-timed Deflection can decide the game.

Related concepts

• Bishop pair and Two bishops
• Battery, X-ray, Skewer, Pin
• Fianchetto, Double fianchetto
• Line clearance, Deflection, Decoy
• Contrast with Boden's mate (crossing diagonals)

Interesting facts and anecdotes

Commentators love the phrase “raking bishops” because it captures both the geometry and psychology of the bishop pair: the opponent feels under siege even before tactics land. Classic Romantic-era attacking games highlighted the theme, and modern engines value the pair highly once lines can be opened safely. As a rule of thumb, if both bishops point at the king and your pawn breaks are ready, your initiative and practical chances skyrocket.

Train the pattern (tactics demo)

A short, Dragon-flavored snippet where White’s bishops on c4 and b3 rake f7 and g7 after standard development.

Even without a forced finish, the bishops aim at f7/g7 while central tension builds—prime conditions for the raking bishops motif.