Potuchess - Smirnov's Attack Blueprints

Mission 1 · Build the attack

🚀 The Smirnov Blueprint

Strong attacks become easier when you recognise a familiar shape. Build this setup one move at a time, and ask what job each piece receives.

Four patterns to remember

1

Knight lookout on e5

The knight watches the king and makes Black's pieces uncomfortable.

2

The f4 support wall

The f-pawn protects e5 and helps the rook find an attacking road.

3

Bring one more attacker

The queen or rook joins the bishops instead of attacking alone.

4

Check before sacrificing

Bxh7+ works only when your queen and knight can quickly join in.

Mission 2 · Remember the pattern

⚡ Quick Pattern Cards

Tap a card to reveal the answer. Try saying your answer first.

What is the ideal home for your attacking knight?

e5 — locked down tightly by your pawns as an unbreakable outpost!

Which pawn move locks the pyramid and unlocks your rook lifts?

f4 — creating a concrete wall that completely immobilizes Black!

What is the warning sign that lets you launch the Bxh7+ sacrifice?

When Black's defensive knight vacates the f6 square!

Mission 3 · Spot it in a game

🎮 Interactive Game Trainer

Choose a game, predict the next move, then use Potu's clue to understand the idea.

[Event "Smirnov Masterclass: The Ne5 and Qh3 Attack"]
[Site "Potuchess Trainer"]
[Result "*"]

1. d4 {Take the center and set up your solid pawn structure.}
d5 {Black replies symmetrically.}
2. Nf3 {Develop the knight and secure d4.}
Nf6 {Black mirrors development.}
3. e3 {Lock the center safely and clear the way for your dark-squared bishop.}
e6 {Black plays a solid defensive setup.}
4. Bd3 {Aim your bishop directly at h7.}
Bd6 {Black develops the bishop as well.}
5. b3 {Prepare the fianchetto to bring your second bishop to the long diagonal.}
O-O {Black castles safely to the kingside.}
6. Bb2 {The star move! Both bishops now point ominously at the enemy king.}
b6 {Black prepares to develop their queenside bishop.}
7. O-O {King safety first before launching the attack.}
Bb7 {Black completes development.}
8. Ne5 {The Pillsbury Knight Outpost! This creates long-term pressure and cramps Black's position.}
Nbd7 {Black tries to contest the knight or prepare f6/e5.}
9. f4 {The Concrete Wall! Solidifies your e5-knight and clears the path for heavy piece lifts.}
c5 {Black strikes on the queenside for counterplay.}
10. Nd2 {Supports the center and completes minor piece coordination.}
Qc7 {Black defends the knight and lines up files.}
11. Rf3 {The Rook Lift! Preparing to slide across the king-side to join the attack.}
cxd4 {Black trades in the center.}
12. exd4 {Recapture with the e-pawn to maintain solid central control.}
Ne4 {Black tries to plant their own knight.}
13. Rh3 {The heavy artillery swings into the attack! Teaming up with the b2 bishop to target h7.}
f5 {Black tries to block the diagonal.}
14. g4 {Launching a direct assault on the kingside structure to crack open the shelter.} *

[Event "Smirnov Masterclass: The Bd6 Setup and Bc7 Trap"]
[Site "Potuchess Trainer"]
[Result "*"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 e6 4. Bd3 Bd6 {Black chooses the alternative Bd6 bishop setup.}
5. O-O O-O 6. Nbd2 c5 {Black strikes aggressively in the center.}
7. dxc5 {Taking first with the pawn (reversing a Carlsbad structure with an extra tempo).}
Bxc5 {Black recaptures with the bishop.}
8. e4 {Challenging the center dynamically.}
Nc6 {Black develops the knight.}
9. Qe2 {Lining up behind the e-pawn to prepare central breaks.}
Re8 {Black prepares counterplay.}
10. c3 {Solidifying the central pyramid structure.}
Qc7 {Black shifts the queen.}
11. Nb3 {Rerouting the knight with tempo on the bishop.}
Bb6 {Bishop drops back.}
12. Bg5 {Pinning the knight and increasing pressure.}
Nd7 {Black defends.}
13. Bh4 {Keeping the bishop active on a great diagonal.}
h6 {Black prevents further intrusions.}
14. Rad1 {Bringing the rook to the center file.}
Nf8 {Black maneuvers.}
15. Bg3 {Attacking the queen and dictating the pace.}
Qd7 {Queen moves.}
16. exd5 {Opening lines in the center.}
exd5 {Recapturing.}
17. Qc2 {Positioning the queen on an active diagonal.}
Bg4 {Pinning the knight.}
18. Be2 {Breaking the pin safely.}
Rad8 {Black brings the rook to the open file.}
19. Bc7 {The Devastating Trap! Attacking the rook while trapping the bishop since it cannot move without losing material.} *

[Event "Smirnov Tactical Trigger: The Bxh7 Sacrifice"]
[Site "Potuchess Trainer"]
[Result "*"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 e6 4. Bd3 Bd6 5. b3 O-O 6. Bb2 b6 7. O-O Bb7 8. Ne5 Nbd7 9. f4 c5 10. Nd2 Ne4 {Black moves the knight away from f6, triggering the tactical warning sign!}
11. Bxe4 {Eliminating the central blocker.}
dxe4 {Black recaptures with the pawn.}
12. Nxd7 {Exchanging to clear lines for the attack.}
Qxd7 {Black recaptures with the queen.}
13. dxc5 {Opening up the long diagonal for the b2 bishop.}
Bxc5 {Black counter-attacks the e3 pawn.}
14. Qg4 {Double threat: attacking g7 and eyeing mating patterns on h7!}
f6 {Black tries to defend the g7 square.}
15. Nc4 {Rerouting the knight to a powerhouse attacking square.}
b5 {Black tries to push away the knight.}
16. Rad1 {Bringing the final rook into the game with tempo on the queen.}
Qe7 {Queen retreats to safety.}
17. Na5 {Solidifying the knight outpost and maintaining intense pressure.}
Bd5 {Black defends.}
18. c4 {Undermining Black's central coordination.}
bxc4 {Black trades pawns.}
19. bxc4 {Reclaiming space and keeping the bishop active.}
Bxe3+ {Black grabs a tactical pawn check.}
20. Kh1 {King steps safely into the corner, completing the attacking storm!} *

[Event "Smirnov Masterclass: Punishing Early Bg4 Pins"]
[Site "Potuchess Trainer"]
[Result "*"]

1. d4 {Take the center.}
d5 {Black fights for central space.}
2. Nf3 {Develop knight and protect d4.}
Bg4 {Black tries an early annoying pin against your knight.}
3. e3 {Solidify the center and prepare development.}
e6 {Black plays solidly.}
4. h3 {Challenging the bishop immediately—forcing it to declare its intentions.}
Bh5 {Bishop retreats to an active diagonal.}
5. g4 {Continuing the march to chase the bishop further.}
Bg6 {Bishop falls back to g6.}
6. Ne5 {Placing the knight forward, putting intense pressure on the position.}
Nd7 {Black tries to contest or block.}
7. h4 {Preparing to trap or completely dislodge the bishop with h5.}
 Nxe5 {Black tries to trade to relieve pressure.}
8. dxe5 {Recapturing with the pawn, maintaining a dominant central footprint.}
Be4 {Bishop tries to find a safe haven.}
9. f3 {Completely locking down the bishop's escape squares with total positional dominance.} *