FoxyChess › Tactics › Exposed King
Exposed King
The enemy king has few pawns or pieces around it. Checks and attacks come quickly, and the defender is often overloaded.
How to spot it
A king that has lost the pawns in front of it, or is stuck in the centre with the files opening, can be attacked with checks. Count your attackers and the open lines to the king; when there are more attackers than defenders, start the checks and see where they lead.
A worked example
Morphy's 'Opera game', Paris 1858. Black's king never castled. 16.Qb8+! Nxb8 17.Rd8# — every white piece had been aimed at the king in the centre.
Why it works
A king needs pawns in front of it and pieces beside it. Take those away and even a small force of attackers wins, because each check gains a move and the defender never gets time to organise.
How to defend against it
Castle early, and keep the pawns in front of the castled king where they are. Don't open the centre when your king is still on its starting square, and bring a knight or bishop back to defend when the attack starts.
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