A discovered attack is a move that uncovers an attack by a bishop, rook or queen standing behind the piece that moved. The piece that moves can make a threat of its own.
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One move makes two threats: one from the piece that moved and one from the piece it uncovered. The opponent can usually answer only one.
How to do it
- 1Find your bishop, rook or queen aimed at a target, with your own piece in between.
- 2Move the front piece with a threat of its own, ideally a check.
- 3Take whatever the opponent cannot protect.
For your level
Look for your rook or bishop hiding behind your own piece. Move the front piece with a threat. Now there are two threats.
Check you have it
Question 1 of 2
Play the moves through and count. How much material has the attacker won?
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Question 2 of 2
Find the strongest move in this position and play it.
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Play your move on the board.
Common mistakes
- Moving the front piece with no threat of its own, so the opponent just answers the uncovered attack.
- Overlooking the discovered attacks your opponent has lined up against you.
Questions
- What is the difference between a discovered attack and a discovered check?
- A discovered check is a discovered attack in which the uncovered piece checks the king. It is stronger, because the check must be answered first, which leaves the piece that moved free to take something.