Lasker Simul Special Discovered Attack in Chess
The “lasker simul special discovered attack” is a tactical motif where one piece’s move (often a pawn or minor piece) opens a line for another piece, creating a discovered attack on a more valuable target. In the Lasker Simul Special family, the defining feature is a tactical alignment that lets you “unmask” an attack while simultaneously gaining tempo against the opponent’s king, queen, or major piece. For an intermediate player, it’s about recognizing the moment when a seemingly small move reveals a direct threat behind it.
To spot this exact concept, look for positions where a piece is blocking a powerful line (file, rank, or diagonal) and you can move that blocker with tempo or with a forcing threat. In practice, you want the discovered attack to be immediate—so the opponent must respond to the newly revealed threat, not to the move that opened the line. When you execute the motif, calculate whether the revealed attacker is protected and whether the opponent can capture the “unmasked” piece or interpose before the discovered attack wins material or forces a decisive response.
Frequently Asked Questions: lasker simul special discovered attack
- What is the key idea behind the lasker simul special discovered attack?
- A blocker moves (or is removed) to unmask a line, so the newly revealed piece attacks a high-value target immediately—often with tempo.
- How do I recognize this motif in the Lasker Simul Special positions?
- Find a piece that currently blocks a strong line (file/rank/diagonal) and check whether moving that blocker creates an immediate discovered attack on the king, queen, or a major piece.
- Is the discovered attack always winning material?
- Not always. It’s winning when the revealed attacker is protected and the opponent can’t capture or interpose in time; otherwise it may only gain tempo or lead to a trade.
- What should I calculate before playing the “unmasking” move?
- Calculate the opponent’s best reply to the discovered threat: can they capture the revealed attacker, block the line, or counterattack your king/queen before the tactic resolves?