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Tactic

Windmill

A repeating cycle of forced checks and discovered checks that systematically decimates the opponent's material.

Starting position

The Setup

White's bishop is on f6 and rook on g3. Black's king on g8 is protected by a pawn on g7. White can launch a windmill by capturing on g7.

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Move sequences and interactive tour paths for Windmill

Starting Position (FEN): 6k1/6p1/5B2/1q6/8/6R1/5PPP/6K1 w - - 0 1

The See-Saw Attack

  • The Setup - White's bishop is on f6 and rook on g3. Black's king on g8 is protected by a pawn on g7. White can launch a windmill by capturing on g7.
  • Rxg7+: The Rook Check - White captures the pawn on g7 with check. Black's king is forced to step to the corner on h8.
  • Kh8: King to the Corner - The king steps to h8. Now White's rook can move away to deliver a discovered check from the f6 bishop.
  • Rf7+: Discovered Check - White moves the rook to f7, unmasking the bishop's check on h8. Black's king is forced back to g8.
  • Kg8: King to g8 - The king returns to g8. White delivers another direct rook check to cycle the king back to h8.
  • Rg7+: Rook Check Again - The rook checks on g7. The king is forced back to h8.
  • Kh8: King Back to h8 - The king returns to h8. Now White executes the final discovered check, attacking the queen on b5.
  • Rg5+: Attacking the Queen - White moves the rook to g5. This delivers a discovered check and attacks the black queen on b5. Black's king escapes the check to h7.
  • Kh7: King Escapes - The king escapes to h7. Now the rook can capture the queen on b5.
  • Rxb5: Winning the Queen - White captures the queen on b5, winning a pawn and a queen to secure a completely winning position.
For experienced players

Windmills occur when a long-range bishop aligns with an enemy king, and a friendly rook sits on the intermediate file. By repeatedly moving the rook off and back onto the file, you can sweep your opponent’s pieces with successive checks.

See also:Discovered attack·Double check

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