--- title: "Counterattack in chess" url: "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/counterattack.md" canonical_url: "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/counterattack" last_updated: "2026-11-07" type: "reference" summary: "A counterattack is a reply to a threat that answers it with a threat of your own instead of defending, usually a larger one." related: ["https://georgelichess.com/glossary/double-attack.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/discovered-attack.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/zwischenzug.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/mating-attack.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/perpetual-check.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/tactic.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/tactics.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary.md"] --- # Counterattack in chess > **For AI agents:** the complete index of GeorgeLiChess pages is [llms.txt](https://georgelichess.com/llms.txt). Every page is also served as markdown at its URL plus .md. A counterattack is a reply to a threat that answers it with a threat of your own instead of defending, usually a larger one. A counterattack is a reply to a threat that answers it with a threat of your own instead of defending, usually a larger one, so the opponent has to deal with yours first. When you are attacked, the natural reaction is to defend. Sometimes the better answer is to attack. A counterattack works when your threat is faster or heavier than theirs, for instance a mate that arrives before their [capture](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/capture.md), or a check that gains a tempo. The idea is a race. Count how many moves each side needs, and who gives check first. A forcing reply such as a check, a capture that gains material, or a mate threat takes priority over a quiet defense. In practice, you can ask two questions: what does my opponent threaten, and can I make a bigger threat that comes first? Counterattacking also helps in positions where a defense is awkward or would cost too many pieces. It is often used by a player whose king looks safer than the attacker's, or who has strong open lines. The risk is miscounting. If their threat is quicker, your counter loses on the spot. Always calculate the opponent's best sequence after your move, not only your own. Another [mistake](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/mistake.md) is counterattacking when a simple defensive move solves everything and keeps the position healthy. ## Example position White's queen and bishop both attack f7, but it is Black's move. Black ignores the threat and plays Qxg2#, supported by the bishop on b7, ending the game first. Position (FEN): `6k1/1b3ppp/8/7Q/2B1q3/8/5PPP/6K1 b - - 0 1` Compare it with [Zwischenzug](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/zwischenzug.md). A zwischenzug, German for in-between move, interrupts a sequence both sides expect: instead of recapturing or answering a threat at once, a player slips in a check or bigger threat first. A neighboring idea is [Mating attack](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/mating-attack.md). A mating attack is a sustained assault on the enemy king, usually built from several pieces and often with sacrifices, whose aim is checkmate rather than winning material. To see how often "Counterattack" or a pattern like it decides your own games, book a [first lesson](https://georgelichess.com/book/first-lesson.md): George Li reviews your games and writes a study plan around what he finds. ## Related terms - [Double attack](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/double-attack.md) - [Discovered attack](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/discovered-attack.md) - [Zwischenzug](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/zwischenzug.md) - [Mating attack](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/mating-attack.md) - [Perpetual check](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/perpetual-check.md) - [Tactic](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/tactic.md) ## Guides that go further - [How to choose a chess coach](https://georgelichess.com/how-to-choose-a-chess-coach.md): What to decide first, the questions to ask, what a first lesson should show and the red flags to avoid. - [How much does chess coaching cost?](https://georgelichess.com/chess-coaching-cost.md): Published rates for private, group and subscription chess coaching, with the source and the date of each. - [The first lesson](https://georgelichess.com/book/first-lesson.md): A game review, a read on your level and a written study plan from George Li. [Book your first lesson](https://georgelichess.com/book.md) and George Li reviews your games and builds a study plan around them. Questions about lessons: write to hello@georgelichess.com. ## Related - [Double attack in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/double-attack.md) - [Discovered attack in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/discovered-attack.md) - [Zwischenzug in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/zwischenzug.md) - [Mating attack in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/mating-attack.md) - [Perpetual check in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/perpetual-check.md) - [Tactic in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/tactic.md) - [Chess terms: Tactics and combinations](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/tactics.md) - [Chess terms glossary: plain definitions](https://georgelichess.com/glossary.md)