Tactical motifs · Advanced
discovered attack
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The idea
One of your pieces steps aside, and the long-range piece behind it starts attacking immediately. One move produces two threats: one from the piece that was revealed, one from the piece that moved away.
The tactic is treacherous because the moving piece can even step into danger and still come out ahead — the opponent is busy with the other threat.
How it looks
A knight stands in front of your rook. The knight jumps and attacks the queen, while the rook opens fire on the king. Your opponent must save the king — and loses the queen.
How to spot it
Check your long-range pieces: is one of your own pieces standing in the way? If so, think about where that piece could usefully go.
The key sign: the attack appears on the same move. The line opens and the threat already exists — nothing has to wait.
A special case: double check
If both pieces give check at once, it is a double check. You cannot block it and you cannot capture the checking piece: the king has to move. That is why double check often ends in mate even when the opponent is far ahead in material.
Often confused with
Clearance. There too a piece steps off a line, but no attack appears at once — the line is needed for the next move.