TheChessWorld.com
TheChessWorld Facebook TheChessWorld Twitter TheChessWorld Pinterest TheChessWorld YouTube
  • Start Here
  • Store
    • On Sale
    • Free Courses
    • Offers and Packages
    • Best Sellers
    • Masterclass
    • Openings
    • Middlegame
    • Endgame
    • Strategy
    • Tactics
    • Comprehensive
  • Play
  • Learn
    • Training Techniques
    • Openings
    • Middlegame
    • Endgames
    • General Information
  • Tournaments
  • Academy
  • 21-Day Course
  • Contact
TheChessWorld.com
Close

Attack on the H-File: 3 Ideas to Keep In Mind

WGM Raluca Sgircea, IM Renier Castellanos
WGM Raluca Sgircea, IM Renier Castellanos,
12.21.2015
0
Category: Middle Game
Tags: attacking, chess, h-file
Attack on the H-File: 3 Ideas to Keep In Mind

In today’s article, we are going to continue our inquiry on the art of attack in chess. We have seen so far numerous ideas of sacrifices that can destroy our opponent’s castle and leave the king open. Another plan you could use in order to start an attack against the short castle is to use the h file.

This is most often used in positions with opposite-side castles or in cases where you haven’t yet castled, but your king is in no danger, so you can start actions on the kingside. The advantage of this idea is that it is usually very fast, as your rook is already on h1 and the only thing you have to do is open its file.

First of all, let’s see how you can open and use this file in your advantage:

  • One of the most common ideas is the advance h4-h5, aimed usually against a fianchetto type of structure. This is very effective in such cases as the rook quickly activates, making the attack even more dangerous;
  • Another idea to open the h file, this time a tactical one, is sacrificing a light piece on g5. How can we do that? As always, you need as many pieces as possible to help sustain you attack, hence bringing a knight or a bishop on g5 is most of the times very useful. When your opponent tries to chase it away by h6, you can play h4 (!), leaving the piece there with the idea of capturing back with your h pawn and open the powerful h file;
  • If your rook is no longer on h1 and your kingside structure can’t be weakened by the advance of the h pawn, always remember the idea of a rook lift. It can be brought in the attack via the 3rd rank on h3 and create mating threats.

Ready to start systematic training that actually works?

start chess training

Click here to start your training using the day-by-day program.

Now that we have reviewed the ideas you can employ in order to start an attack along the h file, let’s see how Grandmasters use these plans in their own games.

We’re going to start with the game of a very skillful attacking player, Grandmaster Judit Polgar, who won a very nice game in a French Defense against a strong Grandmaster, Ferenc Berkes.

In this game we are going to see the idea of opening the h file with a knight sacrifice on g5 in a position with castles on opposite sides of the board. Judit started the attack very quickly after the opening, without any further preparations, and, thanks to black’s passive pieces, it proved decisive.

In the next example we are going to see that attacks on the h files are possible even with castles on the same side (kingside). For this, we chose a game played by the top Grandmaster Levon Aronian against Australian Grandmaster Zong-Yuan Zhao in the 2010 Chess Olympiad.

It started as an Open Catalan where white sought quick control over the center by bringing his rooks on the central files and pushing e4. It’s very nice to see how Aronian regrouped his pieces and soon launched a powerful attack on the h file.

Last, we are going to see an example where white quickly starts an attack against black’s short castle with h4-h5, leaving his king in the center. Known for his preference for sharp, attacking positions, it is no surprise that top Grandmaster Baadur Jobava chose this plan against the young American Grandmaster Ray Robson.

It is very instructive to watch how he didn’t allow any counterplay from his opponent in the center, making sure to first limit his rival’s piece activity as much as possible.

We hope that with this you’ll have one more attacking plan up your sleeve and you’ll be able to successfully use the ideas we presented in this article in your games.

Good luck!

If you want to improve your chess level, you need to have a clear study plan. If you aim for a dramatic improvement at chess you need to work on all of the elements of the game in a systematic way:

  • tactics
  • positional play
  • attacking skills
  • endgame technique
  • classical games analysis
  • psychological preparation
  • and much more

That seems to be like a lot of things, and that is. But no worries, we have made it easy for you. Our comprehensive training course covers it all and much more. Sign up for 21 Day Training right now!

Find this post useful? Share it?
Updated 04.10.2023
Attack on the H-File: 3 Ideas to Keep In Mind
Related Posts
Learning from Alekhine’s Imaginative PlayLearning from Alekhine’s Imaginative PlayFortresses - What do you need to know?Fortresses - What do you need to know?How to Play with The Isolated PawnHow to Play with The Isolated Pawn
Related Products
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Login
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Join the FREE Road to 2200 Masterclass (and learn how to Attack Like a Chess Master)
We value your privacy
Supercharge Your Chess in 21 Days!
Join Academy Today!
Company
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • F.A.Q.
  • Partnership
  • Blog
  • Grandmasters
  • Jobs
Chess Resources
  • TCW Academy
  • The Store
  • 21 Day Course
  • Play Computer
  • TCW Academy Login
Top Resources
  • Opening Lab
  • Mastermind
  • Chess Mastery Series
  • Academy
100% Secure Purchase
Money Back PayPal SSL Comodo
Customer Support +1 (410) 656-9104
Email Us [email protected]
Contact Us
Facebook Twitter Mail Pinterest Youtube
Copyright 2007-2023 • TheChessWorld.com • All Rights Reserved
Cookie Policy | Acceptable Use Policy | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of all the cookies.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT
wpDiscuz