How to Set Up a Devastating Discovery
From Good to Great: Pro-Level Tips
Make the Discovery Deadly
The most powerful discoveries are ones where the moving piece also makes a major threat, like capturing a piece or threatening checkmate. The more threats you create, the harder it is for your opponent to defend.
The Discovered Check is King
A discovered check is the most powerful form of this tactic. When the uncovered piece checks the king, the opponent *must* deal with the check, giving the piece that moved a free turn to wreak havoc anywhere on the board.
A Move That Made History: The "Evergreen Game", Anderssen vs. Dufresne, 1852
The Evergreen Game is filled with brilliant tactics, and while it features many themes, the idea of discovered attacks is central. Moves like 19. Rad1! prepare a battery on the d-file. The final combination starting with 20. Rxe7+! unleashes a series of discovered checks and threats that lead to a forced mate. It's a beautiful illustration of how multiple discoveries can be chained together in a single, breathtaking combination.
The Winning Combination: 10. Bxd8