ChessNonStop
How to Use Latent Threats to Your Advantage
From Good to Great: Pro-Level Tips
The Skewer is the Offensive X-Ray
The most common and powerful use of an X-Ray is the skewer. You attack a valuable piece, and when it moves, you capture the piece behind it. This is the core offensive idea of the tactic.
The Defensive X-Ray
An X-Ray can also be defensive. For example, your king might be on c1 and your queen on g1. If an enemy rook is on e1, your queen is defending your king "through" the enemy rook. Recognizing these defensive X-Rays is crucial to avoid blunders.
A Move That Made History: Karpov vs. Kasparov, 1985
In the legendary matches between Karpov and Kasparov, the concept of X-Ray vision was constantly on display. In this position, the white queen on d4 and the black rook on d8 are in an X-Ray confrontation. The white rook on d1 defends the queen through the black rook. This understanding of latent threats and defenses is what separated these players from everyone else and is the essence of high-level X-Ray tactics.
The Winning Combination: This game featured many examples of X-Ray vision.