Prerequisites for an Attack
Count development, king safety, center stability, space and attacking pieces before committing material or pawns.
Attack the King in the Center
Open central files and diagonals before the opponent castles when development and king geometry make the operation forcing.
Opposite-Side Castling
Use pawn storms and tempi as a race while calculating which side opens lines first.
Pawn Storms
Advance pawns to gain tempi on defenders and create hooks only when the center is stable enough.
Greek Gift Bxh7+
Recognize the classic bishop sacrifice conditions: queen, knight, escape squares and follow-up checks must all cooperate.
Rook Lifts
Transfer a rook through the third or fourth rank when it can join an attack faster than a file can be opened.
Open Files Against the King
Sacrifice or exchange pawns to open a file only when your heavy pieces can occupy it before the defender.
Exchange Sacrifices for Attack
Give a rook for a minor piece only when structural destruction, king exposure or a forced tactical sequence justifies the material.
Mating Nets
Restrict escape squares first, then use checks and threats to convert piece coordination into a forced mating pattern.
Converting an Attack
When mate is not forced, convert initiative into material, structural damage, a safer king or a winning endgame instead of overpressing.