Flank attack
A flank attack is an offensive on a wing, typically by pawn advances supported by pieces, and is best launched when the center is closed or stable so the opponent cannot answer with a strike in the middle.
Also called: wing attack
The classical rule says to meet a wing attack with a counter in the center. That is exactly why a flank attack works best when the center is blocked: the defender has nowhere to strike back, and the attacker can spend as many moves as needed on one side of the board. Pawn chains pointing toward a wing, such as in many King's Indian and French structures, almost announce which side each player should attack.
A flank attack usually starts with pawn advances to gain space and open lines, backed by pieces that cover the advanced pawns. Rooks, a queen and a knight often join, sometimes after a rook lift. The goal is not necessarily mate: a prized target can be a weak pawn, a king's shelter or a file on which a rook can invade.
Before launching, check three things. Is the center really closed, or could your opponent open it with a break? Is your own king safe if the pawns in front of it have moved? And do you have enough pieces on that wing, not only pawns?
The attack fails if it is too slow or if the center opens against you. Count moves for both sides and keep a pawn break in reserve.
Also worth reading is Kingside pawn storm structure. A kingside pawn storm structure arises when the center is locked, so one side can march its kingside pawns toward the enemy king while the opponent counterattacks on the other wing, as in the classical King's Indian Defense.
Also worth reading is Closed game. In a closed game, locked pawn chains and blocked central files restrict the pieces, so maneuvering and pawn breaks matter more than quick tactics and direct attacks.
Strategic ideas such as "Flank attack" show up in your games as small decisions, move after move. A first lesson with George Li reviews those decisions and turns them into a study plan.
Related terms
A pawn storm is the advance of several pawns together toward the enemy king, usually after the kings have castled on opposite wings, intended to pry open files and diagonals for a direct attack.
A kingside pawn storm structure arises when the center is locked, so one side can march its kingside pawns toward the enemy king while the opponent counterattacks on the other wing, as in the classical King's Indian Defense.
In a closed game, locked pawn chains and blocked central files restrict the pieces, so maneuvering and pawn breaks matter more than quick tactics and direct attacks.
A minority attack is a plan in which two or three pawns advance against a bigger enemy pawn group on the same wing, aiming to leave a lasting weakness behind rather than to make a passed pawn.
A rook lift is a maneuver in which a rook is raised from its back rank to the third, fourth or fifth rank, usually to swing across the board toward the opponent's king or a target on the other wing.
Opposite-side castling occurs when the two players castle on different wings, one kingside and one queenside, which usually leads to a sharp race in which each side storms pawns at the enemy king.
Openings where it occurs
Guides that go further
What to decide first, the questions to ask, what a first lesson should show and the red flags to avoid.
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A game review, a read on your level and a written study plan from George Li.
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A first lesson starts with your games: George reviews them and builds a study plan around what he finds.