An x-ray attack is a tactical idea in which a piece attacks another piece through an intermediate piece.

Even if the piece is “blocked”, the pressure is still there.

Key idea: a piece can still be attacking even if something is in the way… if that piece moves, the attack appears immediately.

How does an x-ray attack work?

This tactic happens when:

• A piece attacks along a straight line or diagonal
• There is a piece in between
• Behind it, there is an important piece (king, queen or rook)

If the piece in the middle moves… the attack is revealed at once.

📍 Clear example

• White rook on e1
• Black pawn on e5
• Black queen on e8

The rook is “aiming” at the queen, even though the pawn is in the way.

If the pawn moves or disappears, the queen is attacked directly.

This is invisible pressure… but very real.

Which pieces create x-ray attacks?

♖ Rooks

Along files and ranks

♗ Bishops

Along diagonals

♕ Queen

In both ways

These are long-range pieces, which is why they can create this kind of tactical pressure.

⚠️ Common mistake

Many players think:

“It is protected… so nothing is happening.”

But they fail to see that there is another piece behind it that will be exposed.

Ignoring x-ray attacks can make you lose material without even realising it.

🧠 How to spot x-ray attacks

Before you move, ask yourself:

• Are pieces lined up on a file or diagonal?
• Is there an important piece behind them?
• What happens if the piece in the middle disappears?

🎯 Mini exercise

Find a position where:

• A rook or bishop is lined up with a queen
• There is a piece in between

Ask yourself: what would happen if that piece disappeared?

If you can see a threat… you have found an x-ray attack.

✅ Quick summary

• An x-ray attack works through pieces.
• It is created by rooks, bishops and queens.
• It depends on hidden lines of alignment.

From now on, do not only look at the pieces you can see… look at what is behind them too.

📒 Notebook

Write down one position where a piece attacks “through” another one.