Schacksnack

I, IM Thomas Engqvist, am discussing an approach to effectively learning attacking technique in chess. The primary books I use are Attacking Technique (Batsford 1996) by Colin Crouch (1956–2015) and Attack with Mikhail Tal (Cadogan 1994) by Mikhail Tal and Iakov Damsky.

These books share a common theme in discussing the assault ratio, with the recommendation that an attack should involve at least three pieces—one to be sacrificed and two to deliver mate. Through the analysis of these games, the chess player becomes aware of this method of attack and how to manoeuvre pieces from the queenside to the kingside to create a majority of pieces focused on the opponent’s king.

In addition, the chess player is encouraged to identify with renowned attacking players in history—romantic era players such as Anderssen, Kolisch, and Morphy; players after the romantic era like Marshall and Alekhine; and more modern figures such as Tal, Shirov, and Kasparov.

The video is aimed at all chess players, regardless of level, who are interested in developing their attacking technique.