Counterattack is lesson 1 of 8 in Defensive moves, a tactics course suited to players rated around 1400 (club players). Sometimes the best defence is a bigger threat: a check or a capture that the opponent has to answer first. It has 7 interactive exercises: 7 calculated lines from real positions. You play every move on a board and get feedback straight away. The lesson is free.
What you practise
White to move: you are under threat, so strike first. (5 positions)
Black to move: you are under threat, so strike first. (2 positions)
Worked examples
White to move: you are under threat, so strike first. 1.Kxe2. You were under threat, but Kxe2 struck harder and the opponent never had time to carry it out. You win the knight on e2 and come out 3 points ahead.
White to move: you are under threat, so strike first. 1.Qxb3. You were under threat, but Qxb3 struck harder and the opponent never had time to carry it out. You win the knight on b3 and come out 3 points ahead.
chessGM