There are two kinds of elementary attack. One when a single man attacks two or more hostile men at the same time; the other when more men are brought up to attack an opposing man than can be mustered for defense. The beginner, as a rule, makes attacks with the sole aim of driving away a hostile piece; it is clear that these attempts will in most cases be futile as they generally allow the attacked piece to move to another square just as or perhaps more favorable. The advantage of attacking two men at once is evident in that probably only one of them can be saved. The advantage of bringing up more men for attack than can be gathered for defense is not less obvious, but will be found more difficult to carry out. Using both methods of attack in conjunction is the secret of the successful cooperation of the men.
In the following diagrams simple illustrations are shown of elementary cases of such attacks. These positions often occur in games of beginners on account of their placing the men on unfavorable squares. In studying them the eye of the beginner will become accustomed to dangerous formations of the pieces and he will be able to foresee similar threats in his games.
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8 | #R | | | | #K | | #Kt| #R |
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7 | #P | #B | #P | | #B | #P | #P | #P |
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6 | | #P | #Kt| #P | | #Q | | |
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5 | | | | | #P | | | |
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4 | | | ^B | | ^P | | | |
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3 | | | ^Kt| ^P | ^B | ^Kt| | |
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2 | ^P | ^P | ^P | | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
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1 | ^R | | | ^Q | | ^R | ^K | |
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a b c d e f g h
DIAGRAM 20.
This is especially true of the mating positions which are discussed below in connection with attacks instituted by the Queen in the middle of the game. It is these attacks to which the beginner at an early stage of the game falls victim in ninety out of a hundred cases when playing against an experienced opponent.
In the position of Diagram 20 White on the move wins the exchange and thereby practically the game by playing (1) Kt-d5. With this move he attacks the Queen and at the same time the Pawn c7. Black, in order not to lose the Queen, must move her, but he cannot move her so that she will protect the Pawn c7.
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8 | #R | #Kt| #B | | #K | #B | | #R |
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7 | #P | #P | #P | | | #P | #P | #P |
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6 | | | | | | #Q | | |
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5 | | | | | #P | | | |
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4 | | | | | ^P | | | |
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3 | | | ^Kt| | | | | |
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2 | ^P | ^P | ^P | | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
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1 | ^R | | | ^Q | ^K | ^B | ^Kt| ^R |
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a b c d e f g h
DIAGRAM 21.
On the next move White will, therefore, take the Pawn calling Check and at the same time attacking the Rook a8. The King must move and the Knight takes the Rook.
Quite frequently a similar attack with the Knight is likely to win the Queen if the opponent is not familiar with situations of that kind. If in the position of Diagram 21 White plays (1) Kt- d5, Black must protect the Pawn c7 by Q-d8 or Q-d6, but not by Q- c6; for in the latter case White would continue with (2) B-b5, Qxb5; (3) Ktxc7+ and (4) Ktxb5.