X-Ray Attack in Chess
There can be some attacks in chess that are easy to spot as its sitting right in front of you. But an x-ray attack tends to be sneakier.
There may seem like there is a blockage in front of the attacking piece, but there is still pressure. If that piece is moved there can suddenly be lines open. The idea may be simple in concept but the outcome can lead to some nasty surprises.
What Is an X-Ray Attack in Chess?
The x-ray attack occurs when there is a single piece attacking or defending from a different piece that is located on the same rank, file, or diagonal.
As an example, a rook could be located in line with an enemy queen, as well as having another piece between the queen and the rook. The queen isn't able to be captured yet by the rook but she still has indirect pressure placed upon her.
It can also work defensively, a rook placed behind their friendly queen can help protect it from an enemy rook. If the piece in front moves or is taken, the piece behind it can become active.
Imagine it more as a see through piece.
For x-ray attack chess, the important thing is the alignment. Find 2 valuable pieces on the same line and question what would occur when a piece is placed in front of them.
How the X-Ray Tactic Works
A basic example:
White: King g1, Queen d1, Rook d2Black: King g8, Queen d8, Rook d7
The rooks and queens are located on the same d-file. Pieces in front of them are able to get away but there is still pressure and tension on the file.
This highlights the usefulness of the x-ray attack. A player may exchange the blocking piece or move it with tempo, opening the line toward the more valuable target behind it.
The tactic is particularly useful when you are looking for combinations. Don't only look at what your pieces attack right now. Check what they would attack if the piece in front disappeared.
X-Ray Attack vs Pin and Skewer
These tactics appear to be somewhat similar, so it can be easy to mix them up.
Usually a pin happens when a piece is trapped and isn't able to move as doing so would expose a more valuable piece.
A skewer is almost the reverse. The valuable piece is attacked first and has to move, leaving a less valuable piece behind it exposed.
An x-ray attack is broader. It is about the line of attack or defense through another piece. There does not have to be a pinned piece or an immediate capture.
| Tactic | Main idea |
| X-ray attack | Pressure through a piece |
| Pin | Moving the front piece exposes a valuable piece |
| Skewer | Valuable piece moves, exposing another piece |
Conclusion
The easiest way to find an x-ray attack is to stop looking only at the pieces you can capture right now.
Look along the ranks, files and diagonals. If two important pieces are lined up with something between them, there may be a tactic waiting underneath the surface.
Once you start checking those lines during your games, the x-ray attack becomes much easier to recognize — and you may catch combinations that would otherwise pass you by.