Discovered attack

What is a discovered attack?

A discovered attack happens when a piece moves and opens the way for another piece behind it: a queen, rook or bishop. Suddenly you're attacking with two pieces at once, the one that moved and the one that was uncovered.

If the uncovered piece gives check, it's called a discovered check, and then it's extra dangerous. Your opponent has to deal with the check first, and the piece that moved can do almost anything it likes, such as take the queen.

Look for your own pieces standing in the way of a queen, rook or bishop that points at something valuable. Then the only question is where the piece in the way does the most good.

How the puzzles work

There are 150 puzzles here. Choose a level above the board. Within each level the puzzles get harder and harder, and when you come back you pick up where you left off.

Your opponent makes the first move, then it's your turn. If you get stuck, Hint shows which piece to move, and Show the solution plays the rest. The theme only shows once the puzzle is done, but here you already know what you're looking for.

In Puzzle training you get puzzles in this theme at your own level, and see how you're doing in each theme.

More puzzles

• Mate in one
• Mate in two
• Mate in three
• Fork
• Pin
• Skewer
• Double check
• Sacrifice
• Deflection
• Attraction
• Hanging piece
• In-between move
• Back-rank mate
• Smothered mate
• Promotion
• Endgame
• Rook endgames
• Pawn endgames
• Zugzwang

The puzzles come from Lichess, fetched on October 2, 2026.

Updated November 6, 2026