The Keres Attack is lesson 4 of 10 in Brilliant sacrifices 4: Sicilian and French fire, an opening course suited to players rated around 1800 (strong club players). Sicilian Scheveningen, Keres Attack, B81. White throws the g-pawn forward to chase the knight. It has 3 interactive exercises: 3 find-the-move puzzles. You play every move on a board and get feedback straight away. The lesson is free.
What this lesson explains
This is the Scheveningen setup with e6 and d6. Black's knight on f6 is the main defender. Paul Keres made this g-pawn push famous. About 2 million rated games on Lichess have reached this position.
g4! The pawn offers itself to the knight. If Nxg4, the rook comes to g1 and hits g7.
After Nxg4 and Rg1, the knight goes back to f6, and Bg5 pins it. White's rook on the open g-file and fast development give a strong attack. The engines prefer White.
Recap.
Against the Scheveningen, g4 hits the knight on f6.
If Nxg4, Rg1 opens the g-file.
If h6, play h4 and push g5.
The engines like White in this line.
What you practise
First play the line. You are White: play the moves of the Scheveningen Sicilian, up to the moment of the sacrifice.
Your turn: find the sacrifice. Black's knight on f6 guards the king side. Push a pawn to chase it, and do not mind if it is taken.
Most players stop the pawn with h6. Keep pushing on the king side.
Worked examples
First play the line. You are White: play the moves of the Scheveningen Sicilian, up to the moment of the sacrifice. Good. Black answers d6. Now the position is ready for the sacrifice.
Your turn: find the sacrifice. Black's knight on f6 guards the king side. Push a pawn to chase it, and do not mind if it is taken. That is the Keres Attack. The g-file opens if Black takes the pawn.
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