apex64 Coach

Discovered Attack

What it is

A discovered attack unveils the power of a rear piece by moving the piece in front of it. Because the moving piece can also make its own threat, you create two attacks in a single move — a double threat the opponent usually cannot parry.

When to use it

Use it whenever one of your pieces masks a line piece (rook, bishop or queen) aimed at an enemy target. The front piece is free to attack, capture, or occupy a strong square while the discovery does damage.

How to use it

Find the masked line and the target behind it, then move the front piece to a square where it makes its own threat. The opponent can only answer one of the two attacks — you collect on the other.

Worked examples

Watch the coach play the tactic from real master games.