Arrrgghhh Castling!
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weggman
May 10, 2016
0
#1
Maybe some of you pros around here can give me some advice on how to break through to the castled king? I find it difficult working this middle game process. Do I focus on major pieces or mostly on breaking that rook and pawn structure around the king...? Maybe this is a dumb question and the best answer is try harder That makes sense too! Any help is appreciated!
May 10, 2016
0
#2
It's important to note that strong attacks don't materialize out of nothing. Three basic ideas that signal you have good attacking chances:
More space on that side of the board (more space for you to maneuver simultaneously means less space for them to organize a defense).
More attacking pieces on that side of the board than they have defenders.
The center is locked with pawns. An open center gives more squares to defenders to post themselves, and also an open center gives counter attacking chances to balance your threats on their king.
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That said, two basic types of attacks come to mind. First is you use your pawns to open lines and/or remove the enemy king's pawn cover. Remember that if you attack one of their pawns with one of yours, and your opponent doesn't want to open lines, they will probably advance their pawn if it's safe to do so... so ideally you'll also control the square in front of their pawn so they can't avoid capture.
Second is you have 2 or 3 more attackers than they have defenders... so you can sacrifice pieces to remove the pawn cover.
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These are some of the basic ideas. To improve your attacking play you can solve mating puzzles to see some of the typical patterns. Once you're familiar with various patterns it's much easier to notice opportunities to build an attack in your own games.
May 10, 2016
0
#3
0110001101101000 wrote:
Thanks for your insight! You make some logical points that have escaped me. I will try some mating puzzles (just downloaded an app) and try to observe open space and opportunities to get pawns to open up opponent defense.
It's important to note that strong attacks don't materialize out of nothing. Three basic ideas that signal you have good attacking chances:
More space on that side of the board (more space for you to maneuver simultaneously means less space for them to organize a defense).
More attacking pieces on that side of the board than they have defenders.
The center is locked with pawns. An open center gives more squares to defenders to post themselves, and also an open center gives counter attacking chances to balance your threats on their king.
---
That said, two basic types of attacks come to mind. First is you use your pawns to open lines and/or remove the enemy king's pawn cover. Remember that if you attack one of their pawns with one of yours, and your opponent doesn't want to open lines, they will probably advance their pawn if it's safe to do so... so ideally you'll also control the square in front of their pawn so they can't avoid capture.
Second is you have 2 or 3 more attackers than they have defenders... so you can sacrifice pieces to remove the pawn cover.
---
These are some of the basic ideas. To improve your attacking play you can solve mating puzzles to see some of the typical patterns. Once you're familiar with various patterns it's much easier to notice opportunities to build an attack in your own games.