Defending against a double attack : Chess basics

Defense against a double attack

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

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

In defending against a double attack, different forms of defense are necessary most of the time.

we can protect both pieces to each other(protecting+protecting) sometimes, but it's not always possible, so we will see an example of moving away and protecting at the same time or interposing+ protecting as well.  

In addition to the four forms of defending mentioned above, this blog also introduces a fifth form, that is the counterattack. The counterattack is the most difficult form of defence, since it requires a player to focus not only on the defence, but also on the attack. There are a number of different forms of counterattack such as king, material or a square we will also examine those! we will also have a quick look examples on winning double attack from being a attacker side!

I have tried my best to select the examples properly for you and 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, then 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 defence?

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

Counter-attack

So far the examples have been simple.

But now it's not easy to apply the above ideas we saw. So Let us now 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 also often works well! The knight attacks the unprotected rook and White avoids losing the bishop.

little 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? 

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?

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