Choosing Side to Attack

I’m struggling to make sense of the following attacking principle:

“…it’s usually better to attack on the side of the board opposite to where his [the opponent’s] development is neglected.” (Source: http://www.chesscamp.net/articles/TargetSquares.jpg? />
Wouldn’t it make more sense to attack on the side where your opponent’s forces are under-developed and weaker, consistent with the idea of exploiting weaknesses?

Am I misunderstanding this article? The article (link is above) discusses this principle in referring to a position in which it suggests that Black should attack kingside because, quoting the article, “White’s underdeveloped forces are garaged on the queenside.”

Did I understand this principle correctly? Is this a general principle or only an exception to this position-specific situation?

Really confused here!

Tryst, you misunderstood. The article is advising that BLACK should attack on the kingside, because WHITE is underdeveloped on the queenside. I've posted the position from above, which comes from the article: http://www.chesscamp.net/articles/TargetSquares.jpg?

Here is the justification verbatim from the article:

Thanks tonydal. So, to state it as a clearer and formal principle:

When your opponent is behind in development, consider attacking on the side where your opponent has less coverage.

Haha, I like your way of putting it, too. Either way works for me. I just don't like how the article put it in such confusing terms.

In the game you are Black:

White has not developed his queenside pieces, and therefore attack the kingside, since bringing his undeveloped pieces to the kingside, all the way from the queenside, would take time.

Tryst, you misunderstood. The article is advising that BLACK should attack on the kingside, because WHITE is underdeveloped on the queenside.

We do say the same thing here... I thought it was assumed that you are Black.

Hi tryst,

Maybe I misunderstood your point then. Correct, you are Black, but why did you say "bringing his undeveloped pieces to the kingside, all the way from the queenside, would take time"? The undeveloped pieces are referring to White, not Black, so why were you talking about bringing White's pieces to the kingside, all the way from the queenside, would take time? That's why I didn't understand your point.

the point is not that White should

Hello Chessguava,

If Black attacks Whites kingside, White would eventually have to bring more pieces to defend the kingside. Having not developed the queenside pieces sufficiently, White would risk not having enough time to defend the kingside attack from Black.

Are you saying something other than this? Oh, and you are Black

Chessguava, you've got it right as far as general priniciples are concerned: attack on the side that your opponent is weakest.  In this case White is weakest on the King side because of the combination: 1.... QXP+ 2.KXQ R-KN5+ 3.K-R1 N-K4 4.QxN BxN (mate) or 1.... Qxg2+ 2.Kxg2 Rg4+ 3.Kh1 Ne5 4. Qxe5 Bxf6#

Mike 

So, does White have resources to prevent that combination?  Yes.  But that's what Black should strive to do.  And, it can be done by removing the White Queen from it's square. So, I'd move 1.... Re4 attacking the Queen.  Forcing it to move.

Mike

okay

1.... Qxg2+  loses for black , I think best is  1... Rg4  2 g3 Qc6  and I believe black is probably winning

Interesting. White's best moves Rd1 and Kg2 lose.

If White moves Rd1 (threatening mate if Black moves the Rook on the 8th rank) then Black moves Re5 forcing the Queen to c3. Black moves the Knight to e5 threatening f3. White’s Queen takes Queen at c6. Black’s Knight takes Knight check forcing the King to g2. Black takes White’s Queen at c6 and wins a piece.

If White moves the King to g2 to defend his Knight. Black’s Knight goes to e5 forcing the White Queen to take the Knight. The Black Queen takes the Knight giving check and mates shortly.

Mike

I've been working on 1...Rg4 and I'm not too keen on it since it gives White too many chances.  I'll be posting some diagrams.

Mike

After the black Queen sac instead of 3.K-R1 White plays 3.K-R3 then White seems better. I thought that by 1... Re4 stood better after the next three moves:

Chessguava should stick to the general principle: attack the undeveloped side. I was wrong, White's Queenside is weaker and Black should attack that: