Hello! In this blog, we are going to explore some basic ideas of defending against a double attack.

We have already discussed the basic forms of defense in previous blogs, which are moving away, protecting, capturing, and interposing. Here, we will briefly reiterate those ideas.

In defending against a double attack, different forms of defense are often necessary. Sometimes we can protect both pieces (protecting + protecting), but it’s not always possible. We will see examples of moving away and protecting simultaneously, or interposing and protecting as well.

In addition to the four forms of defending mentioned above, this blog also introduces a fifth form: the counterattack. The counterattack is the most challenging form of defense since it requires a player to focus not only on defense but also on attack. There are several different forms of counterattack, such as targeting the king, material, or a square. We will examine these as well! We will also have a quick look at examples of winning double attacks from the attacker’s perspective!

I have tried my best to select appropriate examples for you and have also added a few test positions. Later, I will add the PGN files so you can practice even more! So let’s begin.


Moving away + interposing

You can defend against a single attack by capturing, protecting, moving away, or interposing. We won’t have to worry about capturing if White could capture the Black queen, as there would no longer be a double attack.

When defending against a double attack, we use two methods. The knight is in danger, but after the move displayed, there is nothing else to worry about. White defends by moving away and interposing.


Moving away + protecting

White defends by moving away and protecting.


Interposing + protecting

White defends by interposing and protecting.


Which defense?

The knight is under attack. Protecting with the b-pawn is too obvious. White still has a second threat: back rank mate. Black should be more careful.


Protecting + protecting

Test yourself with one example.


Counter-attack

So far, the examples have been simple. But now it’s not easy to apply the ideas we’ve seen. Let’s take a look at the counter-attack. One of the threatened pieces goes on the attack itself! The targets are well-known ones: the king, material or a square.

The diagram shows the simplest form: attacking the king.


Counter-attack against material

Counter-attacking against material often works well! The knight attacks the unprotected rook, and White avoids losing the bishop.


Counter-attack against material

Make a counter-attack in defense.


Counter-attack against material

The bishop moves to a protected square where the knight cooperates even while being unprotected.


Counter-attack on a square

Try yourself again.


Advanced method

In the position below, we cannot use any of the methods we have dealt with. This time, White really seems to have lost a piece. Do you see the defense?


Protecting indirectly!


Protecting indirectly

White must protect the bishop indirectly. What to do?


Double attack

Sometimes there are two squares from which you can set up a double attack. Sometimes both work well, but sometimes only one of them leads to a win.

Which temptation must White avoid?


Resisting temptation

When we have two forcing options, we must compare both of them carefully and understand our weaknesses properly too. The temptation doesn’t work here because of the king on c1.


The white king has moved

Which double attack is correct?


Summing up

How do you defend against a double attack? The following methods were dealt with:

  • Combining the basic methods of moving away, protecting or interposing. e.g. moving away + protecting, interposing + protecting, but also protecting + protecting.
  • The counter-attack. One of the pieces attacks a target, the choice being the king, material or a square.
  • Indirect protection. A threatened piece is protected indirectly, so that the opponent would do better not to take that piece.

When executing double attacks, we should always be aware of the opponent’s defense.


The end

That is the end of the lesson on defending against a double attack. I will upload some exercises in PGNs and will write another blog on defending against a pin soon.

Good luck with your games! See you again!

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