The Kingside attack is attractive because it involves combination play with sacrifices and surprise moves. It aims for a quick checkmate, but when and how do you start the attack.
Firstly, let’s look at a typical castled position where the king is protected by 3 pawns and a knight.
If these protectors stay where they are the king remains fairly safe. If however the formation changes when a player advances the h pawn, g pawn or the knight, then the king becomes vulnerable to attack.
In the game between Von Scheve v Teichmann, white plays h3 on move 9) to prevent a pin, but this then becomes the target Teichmann will focus upon, sacrificing a bishop to break open whites defence.
The main object of all opening strategy is to control the centre and get pieces out into active play as quickly as possible.
The Game
- e4
This is an excellent opening move, a pawn in the centre, opens lines for both Queen and Bishop
- …………….. e5
Black responds with the same ideas
2) Nf3
Best move, white develops a piece and attacks e5
2) ………………Nc6
Black develops and defends at the same time
3) Bc4
Placed on a valuable diagonal and attacks Black’s weak f7 pawn as the King is the only protector.
3)…………………Bc5
Best square for the bishop as Bb4 has little to offer, Bd6 blocks the d pawn, Be7 is OK but very defensive.
- C3
Setting up d4 to control the centre
4)………………………Qe7
If White plays 5.d4….. exd4 6. cxd4…..Qxe4+ and wins a pawn
5) 0-0
White delays the advance of the d pawn and castles to get the king safe
5)………………………d6
Strengthens the centre, supports the e pawn and Bishop, allows the c8 Bishop into the game.
6) Now d4!
If Black now plays 6..….. exd4 7. cxd4…..Qxe4 white has 8. Re1 pinning the Queen.
6)………………..Bb6
Black doesn’t need to capture, the Bishop retreats, still bearing down on white’s centre.
7) a4
White threatens a5 to trap the Bishop
7)…………………a6
A retreat square for the Bishop
8) a5
[if 8. ………….Bxa5 9.d5 will force the Knight away that protects the Bishop then white captures the Bishop with the Rook]
8)…………………….Ba7 (black doesn’t fall for that trap)
9) h3
Some players make this move to prevent the knight being pinned by blacks Bishop at g4, but it weakens g3 and the Kings safety as we will see.
9)……………………Nf6
Develops a piece and attacks e4 – Develop with a threat whenever possible!
10) dxe5
White exchanges, hoping to open up lines for his pieces
10)…………………..Nxe5
Stronger than taking with the pawn, Black’s knight is centralised and with White’s d pawn gone, Black’s Bishop on a7 is looking menacing
11) Nxe5
Getting rid of a powerful attacking piece but the best defender of the White king comes off the board
11)………………….QxN
12) Nd2
Defending e4, hoping black takes e4 with the knight then NxN, QxN followed by again Re1 pinning the Queen.
12)……………………Bxh3 !
With Black’s Queen and knight ready to swoop down on the King side, Black removes the offending pawn, weakening White’s position.
13) gxh3…………………Qg3+
White must capture the Bishop or be a pawn down, but with the f pawn pinned g3 is available for the Queen
14) Kh1 …………………Qxh3+
Black captures another defending pawn
15) Kg1…………………Ng4
Threatens mate on h2, if he tries to give his King room by moving the Rook to e1, then Bxf2 is mate
16) Nf3……………………………..Qg3+
The last defender is the f3 pawn protected by Rook and king, attacked by Knight and Bishop, so drive the King away with Qg3+
17) Kh1
17) …………………..Bxf2
0-1
Black’s threat is 18………..Qh3+ 19. Nh2 Qxh2#
If 18. Rxf2 Nxf2#
View this game by moving the pieces in our ‘GAMES’ page