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Tactics

The f7 (f2) weakness

The square in front of the king, defended only by the king at the start — the classic attacking target.

At the start of the game f7 (for Black) and f2 (for White) are guarded by nothing but the king. That makes them the softest point in the position, the target of countless opening tactics — Scholar's Mate, the Fried Liver, the Greek Gift's cousins and endless …Bxf7+/…Nxf7 shots.

Until the king castles and a rook or piece covers f7, any piece that can hit it with tempo is dangerous. Recognising when f7/f2 is under-defended — and when a sacrifice there cracks the king open — is fundamental attacking knowledge.

Why it matters

A huge share of quick knockouts happen on f7/f2 — knowing it's the weak point tells you both what to attack and what to defend first.

The mistake everyone makes

Leaving f7 defended only by the king while grabbing a pawn elsewhere, and walking into a sacrifice that exposes the king.

Related terms

Greek gift
The classic bishop sacrifice on h7 (or h2) to rip open a castled king.
King safety
How exposed your king is to attack — usually the most important factor in the middlegame.
Fork
One piece attacking two or more enemy pieces at the same time.
Weak square
A square that can no longer be defended by a pawn, inviting an enemy piece to settle there.

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