What tactical motif is this?
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Nov 23, 2022
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#2
As usual, there are many tactical themes that could describe the position. Obvious would be that ...cxd3 is no good as the pawn is pinned due to Qxc7.
However, I think the best way to describe what I think you are asking about is something called "Zwischenzug" (German word) or "Intermezzo" (Italian word). Both of these terms describe an "in-between move."
In this position, the Queen steps out of the pin while the Rook needs to move (black was threatening ...cxd3 removing the defender of the Rook when a recapture on d3 would hang the e1 Rook with check), but then the black pieces can safely capture the d3 piece as the Queen is no longer x-rayed through the c4 square.
Thanks!
Also:
Double Attack
A Double Attack occurs when two or more pieces simultaneously attack multiple opponent pieces or important squares. The opponent can't counter all threats so loses material. This tag is not to be used in pure discovered attack situations where one piece moves to attack another piece, while at the same time creating a discovered attack from a second piece. However a double attack can be the consequence of other motifs such as pin, interference, a capturing defender, mate threat, etc and it is valid to use both tags in this situation.
I wouldn't call this a double attack as the rook is still protected by the knight after ..Qa5. Zwischenzug is OK but may be best is overload. The knight on d3 needs to take care of its own safety and defend the rook on e1, and it can't do both at the same time.
