What is a discovered attack in chess?

A discovered attack happens when moving one piece opens a line for another piece to attack an enemy target. It is especially powerful when the moving piece also gives check, because the opponent must answer the check and cannot save the second piece under attack.

What is a relative pin vs an absolute pin?

In an absolute pin, the pinned piece shields the king and cannot legally move. In a relative pin, the pinned piece shields any other piece — such as a rook or queen — so it may move, but if it does it exposes the piece behind. Moving a relatively pinned piece with check is a classic way to exploit this.

How do I spot a winning tactic in a middlegame?

Look for aligned pieces on open files and undefended, attacked pieces. Ask whether a knight or bishop can jump to a checking square while uncovering another piece's attack. If the check is forcing and the defender's replies are limited, you may win material. Count the exchange: a knight for a rook is a decisive gain.

What does it mean when a piece is hanging or en prise?

A piece is hanging (en prise) when it is attacked and undefended, so it can be captured for free. Hanging pieces are what make tactical motifs like pins and discovered attacks dangerous — every check forces a response and leaves the hanging target vulnerable.

What is a zwischenzug (intermezzo) in chess tactics?

A zwischenzug, German for 'in-between move', is a forcing move — often a check — played before the expected reply, interrupting the opponent's plan. Here a checking move forces a response before the defender can save a pinned target, which is exactly why the combination works.

What is a kingside attack and when should I start one in the middlegame?

A kingside attack targets the squares around the enemy king, often using checks and knight jumps to build threats. It is most effective when the defending shelter is weakened or pieces are pinned to valuable targets. In this position the winning idea lands on the kingside, where the checking knight forces the reply that exposes the rook.

French Defense Tarrasch Variation Puzzle (Rated 808): Use a

French Defense Tarrasch Variation Puzzle (Rated 808): Use a Pin — Win a Rook

This middlegame turns on a relative pin and a discovered attack working together. A knight sits between two rooks on an open file, shielding one rook while pinned to it by the opposing rook. The defender assumes the knight is stuck — but a checking move changes everything. A pinned piece may legally give check, and when it jumps away it unmasks the attack hiding behind it. The forced reply to the check leaves the second target undefended, so Black converts a static pin into decisive material gain.