Nimzo Indian Defense Reshevsky Variation Discovered Attack in Chess
In the Nimzo-Indian Defense Reshevsky Variation, the “discovered attack” motif happens when a piece move (often by a pawn or minor piece) opens a line so another piece suddenly attacks a more valuable target. A defining feature is the Reshevsky setup where Black’s pieces line up on the queenside and the center, making a tactical “reveal” possible after a specific intermediate move.
To spot the nimzo indian defense reshevsky variation discovered attack, look for positions where one of your pieces is currently blocking a rook, bishop, or queen line toward the opponent’s king, queen, or a pinned piece. In practice, you create the discovered attack by playing the move that removes the blocker at the right moment—often after the opponent commits a piece—so the newly opened line hits immediately rather than giving time to respond.
Frequently Asked Questions: nimzo indian defense reshevsky variation discovered attack
- What exactly is a discovered attack in the Nimzo-Indian Reshevsky Variation?
- It’s a tactic where you first remove a blocker (by moving a piece or pawn), and then the line opens to reveal an attack by another piece—typically on a key target like the queen, a pinned piece, or the king.
- Which pieces usually participate in this motif?
- Most often it involves a bishop or rook line being opened, with the revealed attacker being a bishop/rook/queen. The “blocker” is commonly a piece or pawn that sits on the same diagonal or file.
- How can I recognize the setup before the tactic happens?
- Watch for a potential line (diagonal/file) where your attacker could hit something important if the blocker moved. If the opponent’s pieces are lined up on that line or near the king, the discovered attack becomes much more forcing.
- How do I use it practically—what should I calculate?
- After identifying the candidate blocker move, calculate the revealed attack’s immediate threats: whether it wins material, forces king moves, or creates a pin. Also check the opponent’s defensive resources—captures of the revealed attacker, interpositions, or counterattacks on your king.