How to create an attack

"some pretty strong attacks e.g. from an open h-file or 7th/backrank?"

• Those are bound to fail if your opponent controls the center.

The center is like high ground. If your opponent controls the center, then he can move his pieces to defend or to counterattack, while you cannot move additional pieces for your attack or for defending against his counterattack.

I don't believe an attack can be created out of thin air, there need to be the right elements present. Just like in chemistry, certain compounds must come together to trigger a reaction, and the same goes for launching an attack in chess. If your opponent is careless, lacks enough defenders, or has a weakened pawn shelter, those are signals that an attack might succeed. In chess, striking from a position of strength is what you should do. Instead of forcing things, focus on accumulating small advantages like space, better piece activity, weaknesses in the opponent’s camp. When enough of those add up, the attack will manifest it self naturally.

@tpr said in #8:

No violent attack can succeed without controlling at least two of these squares (e4, d4, e5, d5) , and possibly three. - Capablanca
@CagnusMarlsen92 said in #9:
... Wow! hearing this for the first time but makes sense. Probably many exceptions to the rule right?: I mean you can have some pretty strong attacks e.g. from an open h-file or 7th/backrank? Just a noob-player so i'm trying to understand this
@tpr said in #11:
... Those are bound to fail if your opponent controls the center. ...
What about attacks where neither side controls two of the squares (e4, d4, e5, d5)?

"What about attacks where neither side controls two of the squares (e4, d4, e5, d5)?"

• When neither side controls any central squares, both sides should try to control those squares, not attack.
  Example 1 g4? d5. Neither side controls any central square, white attacks, black strikes back in the center and prevails.

@kindaspongey said in #13:

... What about attacks where neither side controls two of the squares (e4, d4, e5, d5)?
@tpr said in #14:
... When neither side controls any central squares, both sides should ...
So, you don't want to say something about attacks where neither side controls two of the squares (e4, d4, e5, d5)?

"attacks where neither side controls two of the squares (e4, d4, e5, d5)"

• What would be an example of such a case?
  If neither side controls two of the central squares, then the attacker should first control two of these central squares and only then attack.
  If the attacker does not control two of these central squares and attacks right away, then the defender should seek to control two of those central squares first as a sound defense.

@kindaspongey said in #15:

So, you don't want to say something about attacks where neither side controls two of the squares (e4, d4, e5, d5)?
@tpr said in #16:
"attacks where neither side controls two of the squares (e4, d4, e5, d5)"

• What would be an example of such a case?
  If neither side controls two of the central squares, then the attacker should first control two of these central squares and only then attack.
  If the attacker does not control two of these central squares and attacks right away, then the defender should seek to control two of those central squares first as a sound defense.

Well if there are no pawns to control the center then I would assume it only leaves one option where the sides have probably castled opposite sides so creating an attack then is not a matter of "how" but a matter of time. If your pawns are faster you push them if not you create counterplay. But I do not think this is relevant to the original question because there is no "how" to creating this attack.

I just wanted to clarify cause I think you guys talk about different situations.

"if there are no pawns to control the center" * You can also control the center with pieces.

"the sides have probably castled opposite sides" * Also then the center is the key. From the center one can attack and defend at the same time and the opponent has trouble moving his pieces to attack or defend as needed.

"If your pawns are faster you push them" * Pawns alone will not win, they have to clear the path for pieces to follow up.

@tpr said in #8:

No violent attack can succeed without controlling at least two of these squares (e4, d4, e5, d5) , and possibly three. - Capablanca
@CagnusMarlsen92 said in #9:
... Wow! hearing this for the first time but makes sense. Probably many exceptions to the rule right?: I mean you can have some pretty strong attacks e.g. from an open h-file or 7th/backrank? Just a noob-player so i'm trying to understand this
@tpr said in #16:
... If neither side controls two of the central squares, then the attacker should first control two of these central squares and only then attack. ...
So, after 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Bxc6 dxc6 5 O-O Bg4 6 h3 h5 7 hxg4 hxg4 8 Nxe5, it would be a mistake to play 8...Qh4 ?

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