Counterthreat

A counterthreat is a threat made when the opponent already threatens something. Rather than replying only with protection, the player creates a new danger and expects it to be more urgent. It may attack the queen, threaten mate, prepare a winning capture, or create a promotion threat.

The idea depends on tempo , which here means one move's worth of time. If the counterthreat forces the opponent to defend, it can gain a tempo and prevent the original threat from being carried out. But if the opponent can answer with a move that saves the target and creates another threat, the idea may backfire.

A counterthreat that gains timeDual-purpose refutation

The check that saves the rook

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

a1

b

c

d

e

f

g

h

Start

Ne7+

Kh8

Nxc8

The c-file is clear, so the black rook can capture on c1.

The white rook is threatened

The black rook controls c1 and can capture the white rook on the next move. The danger is already concrete.

1. The c-file is clear, so the black rook can capture on c1.

How to test it

1. State the opponent's threat as a concrete action rather than a general impression.
2. Check what happens if the opponent carries it out immediately.
3. Look for the best dual-purpose reply, one that meets your threat while preserving the original one.
4. Compare the final position after the forcing replies.

A counterthreat need not grow into a prolonged counterattack. It may be a single tactical move. It is not always a defensive move either: if it does not actually neutralize the original danger, it merely ignores it.