Understanding before Moving 19: The rook lift

by ChessBase
3/21/2021 – Herman Grooten is an International Master, a renowned trainer and the author of several highly acclaimed books about chess training and chess strategy. In the 19th instalment of his ChessBase show “Understanding before Moving”, Herman shows how a rook can revitalize an attack after being lifted. | Photo: Tommy Grooten

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One more piece joins the attack

In many middlegame situations, especially those with an isolated pawn in the centre, a player can launch an attack by directing his rook from the first rank through the third (or sixth) rank in the direction of the enemy king’s position. By pushing that extra rook into the battle, any attack gets new impulses, which often culminates in beautiful tactical possibilities.

The rook is nicely hidden behind that isolani, preventing the opponent from exchanging it. In the diagram, several white pieces are aimed at the black king’s position. What continuation do you think will give White an advantage?

Try to calculate a few variations!

 

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