Attacking f7 and f2

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9.1 A Square With One Guard

In the starting position every square in front of the king is protected by at least one piece — except f7 (and f2 for White), which only the king defends. That makes it the first target of beginners and grandmasters alike. A bishop on c4 and a queen or knight joining it are enough to create threats on f7 in the first few moves, as we saw in Chapter 6.

The weakness does not disappear after castling. The f7-pawn is still close to the king, and when the f-file is opened a rook on f1 can join the attack. A piece that lands on f7 often attacks the queen, a rook and the squares around the king at the same time.

9.2 Three Typical Sacrifices

1. ♗xf7+ — the bishop gives check and drags the king forward. After

♔xf7 a knight check on g5 or e5, or a queen move with check, often wins back the material with interest.

2. ♘xf7 — the knight forks the queen on d8 and the rook on h8, or

opens lines towards the king.

3. ♕xf7+ — the queen lands on f7 supported by a bishop or knight;

with the king boxed in, this is often mate at once.

9.3 Worked Examples

Cover the text below each diagram and find the best move before reading on.