X-ray attack puzzles
A piece attacks or defends through another piece standing in the line, which only matters once that piece moves or is taken.
Look along a rook or queen's whole line, not just to the first piece in the way. After a trade on that line the hidden piece is suddenly in play.
8 real puzzles from games on Lichess, easiest first, rated 612 to 2536. The course has 288 x-ray attacks puzzles in all.
Puzzle 1 · rated 612
White just played Raf1. Black to move.
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30... Qxf1+ 31. Rxf1 Rxf1#
Puzzle 2 · rated 908
White just played Bxh6. Black to move.
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22... Qf1+ 23. Rxf1 Rxf1#
Puzzle 3 · rated 1175
Black just played a5. White to move.
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43. Qf8+ Rxf8 44. Rxf8#
Puzzle 4 · rated 1424
White just played dxe7. Black to move.
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24... Qd1+ 25. Qxd1 Rxd1#
Puzzle 5 · rated 1698
White just played Rxe4. Black to move.
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22... Qe1+ 23. Rxe1 Rxe1+ 24. Bf1 Rxf1#
Puzzle 6 · rated 1961
Black just played Bxd4. White to move.
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33. Qxe7 Qxe7 34. Rxe7 Nxe7 35. cxd4
Puzzle 7 · rated 2234
White just played Nxe5. Black to move.
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20... Bh3 21. Bf3 Bxg2+ 22. Bxg2 Qxg2#
Puzzle 8 · rated 2536
White just played Qc3. Black to move.
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45... Rd1+ 46. Rxd1+ Rxd1+ 47. Kg2 Bd4 48. Qxd4+ Rxd4
Free, no sign-up. Puzzles come in order of difficulty and the ladder adjusts to how you solve.
‹ In-between moves · Zugzwang ›
Puzzles from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Every line was replayed move by move by the course's rules engine. Part of Chess Path, a free chess course. Free coach for your Chess.com and Lichess games.