Tactical Patterns | X-Ray

In chess, an X-Ray is a tactical idea where two of your pieces are indirectly connected through an opponent’s piece. This and other essential tactical ideas are explained thoroughly in my chess tactics video course.

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X-Ray Tactics | Example #1

1… Qe1+ 2. Rxe1 Rxe1#

X-Ray Tactics | Example #2

1… Nb3 saves the knight (black’s queen defends it through X-Ray.)

X-Ray Tactics | Example #3

1. Qxd5 Rxd5 2. Ne7+ Rxe7 3. Rxe7 (After trading the queens, white’s knight can go to e7 and be indirectly defended by the white rook on e1.)