Let rook lifts aid in your attack

The common advice from chess coaches is to place rooks on open files and to double them on the second or seventh ranks for maximum effect. But there is one more 'trick' you should know about. 

You can also lift your rook so it can help you in your attack. Let's see two examples from my training games with a bright 7 year old student.


A) Black to move

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Yes, 1. Ne6 followed by Nf4 would also be a good way to play but let's work on rook lifts.

1. Re6! Black has time for this because White is down a piece without any compensation. 
a5 2. Rh6 Rfe1

Here I turned it into an exercise by asking the boy to find two mates in two. He saw them quickly.

3. Qxh3+ Kg1 4. Qh1# OR 3. Rxh3+ Kg1 4. Rh1#.


B) Black to play


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1. ...Re5! To deliver mate the Queen needs help. Also note how Black has time for the rook lift.

2. h4 and again here my student took over and passed the test!

2. ...Qg4+ 3. Kh1 Qxh4+ 4. Kg2 Qg4+ 5. Kh1 Rh5#. 

Remember: rooks love open files and doubling up on the second or seventh rank; but they can also lift and aid in your attacks.