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X-Ray Attack: Back to Logic Again

What do you think of when you hear the word X-Ray? The doctor's table? Superman? Either way, you probably visualized seeing bones, or through a wall. The X-Ray attack is very similar to these, hence, it's name. During an X-Ray attack, a piece of your opponent's is seemingly defended adequately, however, it appears this way because you failed to notice that another piece also attacks, just it "looks through" (like an X-Ray) one of your opponent's pieces! An example might clarify things.

The position can be a little deceiving. Material is even, the position looks safe, and yet black has a short time to live. Loking at black's position he looks pretty safe, every looks be be guarded adequately, but, lucky for white, there is an x-ray in waiting. White now plays 1. Qxh4 Rxh4 when now things become clear, the x-ray came from the rook! Now that tasty rook on h4 will be a lovely treat for the "doctor".

While not all examples are this simplified, they all follow this sort of theme, take a look at this position from an actual GrandMaster (GM) game.

The position above originates from a game which was played between the Great Fischer and Bisguier, during a United States Championship match in 1963 - 1964.

Looking at the position we see material is equal, no particular side contains a great advantage which will assuredly win the game...except for the x-ray! What Bisguier didn't know was that he was to be the victim of "superman". Looking at the position we see that a lot of the action is directed towards the d3-pawn. This "passed-pawn" must have an eye kept on it, by both players!

We see that the pawn is adequately protected, meaning that if white tries something funny, like 34. Rxd3 Qxd3 35. Rxd3 Rxd3 leads to an even trade of pieces, no big deal. However, Fischer had something up his sleeve. He didn't have just a normal trade in mind. What was his idea? Fischer played 34. Rxd3 Qxd3. A normal variation thus far...but didn't this lead to an even trade? Not in Fischer's mind! 35. Qxd7 and Fischer ends up with a pawn in his pocket...not a bad deal!

So now we notice that the theme of the x-ray takes on a sort of theme in which the same "type" of position continues to recur. Try your hand at the following tests, trying to spot the x-ray pattern.

EXAMPLES COMING SOON!

This now concludes the X-Ray tactics section, please proceed with further advanced tactics.

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