The pieces that start the game on one side of a chess board are like a sports team. As individuals they can accomplish only so much. As a team they can accomplish a great deal.
Whenever you attack your opponent's King, try to attack with as many pieces as you can muster. A single Pawn might be sufficient to weaken the enemy King's position, but that Pawn will rarely get the job done alone. Two Pawns might throw a good scare into the King and keep it occupied, but a King can cope singlehandedly with connected passed Pawns. Even a single attacking piece can't do much.
The mighty Queen attacking alone can do little more than shout 'boo' (check) at the enemy King. If the Queen is on the wrong square and undefended, the King can just capture it. Add a second piece to protect the Queen and you have real power. Now the King has to run or enlist one of its own pieces to help with the defense. Add a third piece and combinations start to come from all sides.
See Positional Play (under 'Suggested Reading') for more about
- Piece activity
- King safety
