FoxyChess › Tactics › X-Ray Attack
X-Ray Attack
A rook, bishop or queen attacks or defends through an enemy piece on the same line. When the piece in between moves or is exchanged, the hidden attack comes to life.
How to spot it
A rook, bishop or queen attacks or defends through an enemy piece on the same line. Count the attackers on a square including the piece behind: when the front piece is exchanged, the hidden attacker takes over.
A worked example
Black's queen on d5 is defended once, by the rook on d8, but attacked twice: by the queen and, through the queen, by the rook on d1. 1.Qxd5 Rxd5 2.Rxd5 wins a rook.
Why it works
Lines don't stop at the first piece. If an enemy piece is exchanged on a square your rook controls from behind, your rook recaptures. X-rays decide many back-rank combinations and many rook endings.
How to defend against it
When you count attackers and defenders, count the pieces hiding behind other pieces as well. A rook on the same file as your queen is a threat even when another piece stands in between.
Solve them at your own level, from beginner to expert, then spot them in your own games against Foxy, 32 bots and real players. Free to join, no card needed.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. You must be 13 or over.
FoxyChess sorts every tactic into five rating bands: Beginner (under 1000), Improver (1000–1399), Club (1400–1799), Advanced (1800–2199) and Expert (2200+), so you can start at your level and work up.