a b c d e f g h

DIAGRAM 50.

In the majority of cases no open file is available on the wing
and the attack with the Rooks is then much more difficult. There
is little use in advancing the Pawns on the wing on which the
hostile King has castled unless one of them can be exchanged so
that a line is opened which the Rooks can occupy. As a rule such
an exchange is only possible in case one of the Pawns in front of
the King has moved. In the position of Diagram 50 for instance,
White is able to open the h-file by advancing the h-Pawn and
exchanging it against Black's g-Pawn, while Black, who would like
to use his Rooks in an attack on the Queen's wing, has little
hope to open a file on that side of the board. If Black's g-Pawn
were still on his original square, the advance of White's h-Pawn
would be of no avail. Black would simply wait until the Pawn has
advanced to h6 and then he would play P-g6 so that White's own
Pawn would block the h-file for the Rook. In the above position,
which occurred in one of six simultaneous games played by the
author in a blindfold-exhibition, the attack developed as
follows:

(1) P-h4 P-b5
(2) B-b3 Kt-a5
(3) P-h5 Ktxb3
(4) Pa2xb3 Q-a5

Black has succeeded in opening a line also, but he cannot get his
Rooks working in it. His last move threatens mate in two moves by