Levitsky Attack

The Levitsky Attack begins after both sides advance the d-pawn and White moves the c1-bishop to g5. The coordinates c1 and g5 name squares by file and rank. The bishop comes out before White's g1-knight and occupies an active square from which it can make Black's normal development less comfortable.

Because Black's knight is not yet on f6, the bishop does not immediately pin it. A pin occurs when a piece cannot move without exposing a more valuable piece behind it. Here the bishop attacks e7 and, if the diagonal opens, can exert pressure toward the queen on d8. Black may advance the h-pawn or f-pawn to question the bishop, but those pawns cannot move backward and may weaken squares near the king on the kingside, the side where the kings began.

White commonly continues by developing the knights, advancing the e-pawn one square, or supporting the center with the c-pawn. The word attack does not promise a quick tactic, meaning a short sequence based on concrete threats. It describes a move order that asks Black to make early decisions. White should avoid moving the bishop repeatedly while leaving other pieces undeveloped, and Black should avoid creating weaknesses merely to chase it.