---

I only started fishing last year as a middle-aged person, and it has rapidly become one of my favourite hobbies. Mind you, I’m not especially good at it, and am not particularly successful! However, it is surprisingly tactical, and the endeavour of fishing can be both calming and exciting at the same time. 😌🤪

Coincidentally, 2024 was also when I first tried using the Fishing Pole Tactic/Attack in chess. Although I knew of the existence of the tactic, I hadn’t previously sought out this approach or fished for this tactic so to speak. 😏 If you’re not very familiar with the Fishing Pole Attack, check out my “how to” article and video below from last year, which goes through the logic of the tactic step-by-step.

* * *

Game 1: A refresher! Quick win fishing in Spanish waters! 🎣😊👍

https://www.chess.com/analysis/library/25zgJTnmQA

I had this rather lovely demonstration against Random Noob last week, and it reminded me just how much I loved playing and landing this tactic. I had the Black pieces, and we transposed into the Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation position through a slightly unusual move order (initially through the Réti Opening: Black Mustang Defense of 1. Nf3 Nc6). I decided to play a defensive approach with (4… Bd6), White opted to trade their Ruy López bishop for my knight (5. Bxc6 dxc6) and then short castled (6. O-O). This is all very very normal.

I thought momentarily: the normal thing to do is to just develop solidly, e.g., castle (6… O-O), or develop another minor piece (6… Bg4), but with White’s very rapid kingside castling, there is the opportunity for a dastardly attack by keeping the king in the centre! So instead, I cast my knight forward as the bait (6… Ng4!?).

White takes a nibble (7. h3), so I keep the g4-knight in place as the bait, but give it a little jiggle with (7… h5)… and White takes a bite (8. hxg4??) and is caught on the hook (8… hxg4)!

The tactical idea of the fishing pole attack is to clear the h-file of pawns, which then allows for a massive attack on White’s king with a rook-queen battery along that file. In the early middlegame, especially if White castled very quickly, a successful attack can be near unstoppable, and in this game, White lost to checkmate on turn 11!

Game 2: Refusing to bite can be a mistake! 😲

https://www.chess.com/analysis/library/2b1RhdKLnA

I’ve noted elsewhere that at the intermediate levels, opponents often recognise that “taking the bait” when being presented with a fishing pole attack is a mistake. As such, against opponents who are not beginners, they will often refuse to bite. However, dogged adherence to this heuristic can often be of an advantage for the fishing pole attack player!

How so? What it means is that the fishing pole attack can often be viable even when it is not just risky, but objectively unsound! In some positions, the opponent’s best move is to take the bait and capture the knight. Unless the fishing pole attack is set up right, the knight isn’t just ostensibly hanging but actually hanging! Worse for the opponent, refusing to capture implies tolerating an opponent’s knight, a tricky and powerful piece in the early middlegame, deep in their territory!

Game 2 demonstrates this well. Once again, I had the black pieces and the game starts as an Italian Game: Two Knights, Modern Bishop’s Opening, and then transposes into the Giuoco Pianissimo. I don’t like playing the Giuoco Pianissimo, and indeed most of the Giuoco Piano lines as I find the closed positional nature a bit annoying and tedious. So, after White short castled (8. O-O), I decided that I would set up a Fishing Pole Attack with (9… h5!?). This is arguably a mistake as I had to lose tempo to set up the attack, having already moved my h-pawn earlier (4… h6), with White fully developed with their structure rock solid.

However, life is long, and the game is short! I cast my knight as bait (11… Ng4!?) and Stockfish evaluates this as a grievous mistake, with an evaluation change from [+0.5 → +2.5]. Essentially, White can safely capture the knight but after the exchange while opens the h-file (12. hxg4 hxg4), they would have to find a brilliant bishop sacrifice (13. Bxf7+!! Kxf7) and a beautiful double-check (14. Nxe5+) along the f-file! This is not easy to find, particularly if the intuitive assumption is that playing into the fishing pole attack is bad!

However, by yielding the g4 square to Black’s knight, White faces a problem as a subsequent Nxe3 would result in a fork of White’s f1-rook and queen on d1. White attempted to address this by defending the e3 square with what seems like an excellent forward positional move of their queen’s knight (12. Nd5?), but in this game, it was a mistake.

The engine sees all and thinks that the tactical ideas that both myself and my opponent were playing were inaccurate, but I think in casual human games, the ideas are fine! The problem with (12. Nd5) is that I could immediately undermine it with a backwards knight move (12… Ne7!?). White perhaps underestimated its significance as it seemed that everything was defended and so used the respite on turn 13 to push their h-pawn forward (13. h4??). This move only makes sense from the perspective that White wanted to shut down the fishing pole attack. This was a blunder as now I had (13… Nxd5!), and White could no longer avoid the Nxe3 fork of rook and queen and lose material. In the position, White realised their error and resigned. In a real way, the game was won because the opponent recognised the fishing pole attack and tried to neutralise it!

Game 3: Ignoring the bait can be a mistake! 😏

https://www.chess.com/analysis/library/4ik4DSa3rW

This game follows a very similar idea to game 2. White recognises the g4-knight bait and ignores it completely! They refuse to even nibble with moving their h-pawn to h3 and allows the black knight to effectively camp freely on the g4 square.

Once again, the game transposed into a positional Four Knights Game from the Black Mustang Defense, though White’s bishop was held in a tentative defensive manner on the e2 square. White castled short early (6. O-O) and I immediately played the provocative (6… Ng4!?), casting the knight as bait into White’s territory!

White refused to acknowledge the knight, and we spent the next few turns trading some pieces on the other side of the board. Curiously, the engine finds a ridiculous line that I didn’t see that immediately punishes White for ignoring the knight, starting with (9… Nxf2)! At the end of the line, White either loses their h-pawn with the king critically exposed, or loses their a1-rook if they play natural moves! Check out the PGN!

White refusal to budge and acknowledge the g4-knight became human exploitable as I was able to rotate my other knight to the kingside, and then with (13… Qh4), White suddenly had two knights and a queen attacking their king with an obvious checkmate threat! Too late, White played (14. h3??), blundering forced mate.

I had a beautiful finisher beginning with (14… Nxh3+!!), a brilliancy, and then double-check with (15… Nxf2+)! White’s king had only a single legal move (16. Kg1) and then, checkmate with queen (16… Qh2#), supported by the g4-knight which had steadfastly been in position for the past 10 turns! Good game, GG!

* * *

The big takeaway? If you like fun, Romantic style games, don’t be afraid to give the Fishing Pole Attack a go! It can be surprisingly effective even when it is suboptimal!

Learn more about the Romantic style in “Become a Chess Assassin! Learn to play the best chess opening attacks”.

[Event "Live Chess"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2025.01.17"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Random Noob"]
[Black "vitualis"]
[Result "0-1"]
[TimeControl "600"]
[Termination "vitualis won by checkmate"]
[BlackUrl "https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/3711094.f52a0759.50x50o.ab18600a8723@2x.png"]
[BlackCountry "17"]
[BlackTitle ""]
[WhiteUrl ""]
[WhiteCountry "225"]
[WhiteTitle ""]
[Link "https://www.chess.com/analysis/library/25zgJTnmQA"]

1. Nf3 {[%clk 0:09:56.4][%timestamp 36]} 1... Nc6 {[%clk 0:09:58][%timestamp
20]} 2. e4 {[%clk 0:09:53.5][%timestamp 29]} 2... e5 {[%clk
0:09:56.1][%timestamp 19]} 3. Nc3 {[%clk 0:09:50.9][%timestamp 26]} 3... Nf6
{[%clk 0:09:54.6][%timestamp 15]} 4. Bb5 {[%clk 0:09:47.8][%timestamp 31]} 4...
Bd6 {[%clk 0:09:29.5][%timestamp 251]} 5. Bxc6 $6 {[%clk 0:09:45.4][%timestamp
24]} 5... dxc6 {[%clk 0:09:24.4][%timestamp 51]} 6. O-O {[%clk
0:09:41.5][%timestamp 39]} 6... Ng4 $5 {[%clk 0:09:17.3][%timestamp 71] Fishing
Pole Attack  $1} 7. h3 {[%clk 0:09:30.9][%timestamp 106] White takes a nibble at
the bait...} 7... h5 {[%clk 0:09:15.8][%timestamp 15]} 8. hxg4 $4 {[%clk
0:09:29.2][%timestamp 17] White bites  $1} 8... hxg4 {[%clk 0:09:14.6][%timestamp
12]} 9. Ng5 $2 {[%clk 0:09:27.6][%timestamp 16] White felt obliged to run the
knight, but it was lost regardless. So this is a mistake as White loses a point
of tempo unnecessarily.} 9... Qxg5 {[%clk 0:09:10.1][%timestamp 45]} 10. d4 $4
{[%clk 0:09:18.8][%timestamp 88] This now hangs eventual checkmate...} 10... Qh4
{[%clk 0:09:08.5][%timestamp 16]} 11. Qd3 $6 {[%clk 0:09:00.2][%timestamp 186]}
11... Qh1# {[%clk 0:09:06.3][%timestamp 22]} 0-1

[Event "Live Chess"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2024.12.26"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Random Noob"]
[Black "vitualis"]
[Result "0-1"]
[TimeControl "600"]
[Termination "vitualis won by resignation"]
[WhiteUrl ""]
[WhiteCountry "225"]
[WhiteTitle ""]
[BlackUrl "https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/3711094.f52a0759.50x50o.ab18600a8723@3x.png"]
[BlackCountry "17"]
[BlackTitle ""]
[Link "https://www.chess.com/analysis/library/2b1RhdKLnA"]

1. e4 {[%clk 0:09:59.8][%timestamp 2]} 1... e5 {[%clk 0:09:58.6][%timestamp 14]}
2. Nf3 {[%clk 0:09:58.5][%timestamp 13]} 2... Nc6 {[%clk 0:09:58][%timestamp 6]}
3. Bc4 {[%clk 0:09:57.7][%timestamp 8]} 3... Nf6 {[%clk 0:09:57.2][%timestamp
8]} 4. d3 {[%clk 0:09:56.4][%timestamp 13] Italian Game, Two Knights, Modern
Bishop's Opening} 4... h6 {[%clk 0:09:55.5][%timestamp 17]} 5. Nc3 {[%clk
0:09:53.2][%timestamp 32]} 5... Bc5 {[%clk 0:09:52.9][%timestamp 26] Transpose
to Giuoco Pianissimo} 6. Na4 {[%clk 0:09:47.2][%timestamp 60]} 6... Be7 {[%clk
0:09:45.5][%timestamp 74]} 7. Nc3 {[%clk 0:09:42.6][%timestamp 46]} 7... Bc5
{[%clk 0:09:43.6][%timestamp 19]} 8. O-O {[%clk 0:09:40.8][%timestamp 18]} 8...
d6 {[%clk 0:09:40.8][%timestamp 28]} 9. h3 {[%clk 0:09:39.4][%timestamp 14]}
9... h5 $5 {[%clk 0:09:36][%timestamp 48] A very tricky move - setting up a
Fishing Pole Attack  $1} 10. Be3 $2 {[%clk 0:09:37.7][%timestamp 17] White needed to
exploit the weakness created on g5 immediately, but this isn't obvious to a more
beginner player  $1 Instead, they attempt to trade bishops, which is usually not a
bad idea that opens the f-file. However, this is situation, it's a serious
mistake that makes the Fishing Pole Attack possible  $1} 10... Bxe3 {[%clk
0:09:21.2][%timestamp 148]} 11. fxe3 {[%clk 0:09:36.4][%timestamp 13]} 11...
Ng4 $5 {[%clk 0:09:19.4][%timestamp 18] The Fishing Pole Attack is still a
mistake here, as White can capture the knight, but then has to see that they've
got a powerful attack with a bishop sacrifice, and a double check  $1 Very
difficult to see  $1 The knight is further threatening Nxe3 fork of the rook and
queen  $1} 12. Nd5 $2 {[%clk 0:09:24.1][%timestamp 123] White sees the Fishing Pole
Attack and chooses not to bite. They leap their knight forward to defend the
e3-pawn, but this is a mistake  $1} (12. hxg4 {This is what White needs to see to
capture the knight  $1} 12... hxg4 13. Bxf7+ $3 {Bishop sacrifice  $1} 13... Kxf7 14.
Nxe5+ Ke8 15. Ng6 {And the game continues with White up a point of material  $1})
12... Ne7 $5 {[%clk 0:08:57.4][%timestamp 220] This is also a mistake, but the
threat is very direct.} 13. h4 $4 {[%clk 0:09:21][%timestamp 31] White wants to
take away the Fishing Pole, but this was unnecessary. The loss of tempo is a
blunder  $1} 13... Nxd5 $1 {[%clk 0:08:54.5][%timestamp 29]} 0-1

[Event "Live Chess"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2024.12.27"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Random Noob"]
[Black "vitualis"]
[Result "0-1"]
[TimeControl "600"]
[Termination "vitualis won by checkmate"]
[WhiteUrl ""]
[WhiteCountry "225"]
[WhiteTitle ""]
[BlackUrl "https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/3711094.f52a0759.50x50o.ab18600a8723.png"]
[BlackCountry "17"]
[BlackTitle ""]
[Link "https://www.chess.com/analysis/library/4ik4DSa3rW"]

1. Nf3 {[%clk 0:09:58.7][%timestamp 13]} 1... Nc6 {[%clk 0:09:57.3][%timestamp
27] Réti Opening: Black Mustang Defense. My goal is to aim to coax White back
into an e4 e5 game    $1} 2. e4 {[%clk 0:09:54.6][%timestamp 41] And it worked  
 $1} 2... e5 {[%clk 0:09:56.4][%timestamp 9]} 3. Nc3 {[%clk 0:09:50.8][%timestamp
38]} 3... Nf6 {[%clk 0:09:55.4][%timestamp 10] Four Knights Game} 4. d3 {[%clk
0:09:44.4][%timestamp 64]} 4... Bc5 {[%clk 0:09:52.2][%timestamp 32]} 5. Be2
{[%clk 0:09:38.9][%timestamp 55]} 5... d6 {[%clk 0:09:48.1][%timestamp 41]} 6.
O-O {[%clk 0:09:29.4][%timestamp 95]} 6... Ng4 $5 {[%clk 0:09:36.6][%timestamp
115] This \"knight attack\" is inaccurate, but a tricky move    $1 I'm trying to
provoke White into responding to the knight and then aiming for a Fishing Pole
Attack    $1} 7. Nd2 $2 {[%clk 0:08:49.6][%timestamp 398] I was hoping for h3, but
this backwards knight move is also a mistake    $1 White's best move is to ignore
the knight with Bg5} 7... h5 $5 {[%clk 0:09:26][%timestamp 106] The engine
identifies that Qh4 is the most accurate move, as fundamentally, White can
refute the Fishing Pole Tactic. However, Qh4 is \"very direct\" and not very
tricky, meaning that White will likely correctly navigate the attack. Let's
delay revealing Qh4 immediately  $1} 8. Nd5 $6 {[%clk 0:08:28.5][%timestamp 211]
White flings their knight forward, which is inaccurate.} 8... Ne7 $2 {[%clk
0:08:50.6][%timestamp 354] Nominally a mistake, as Qh4 remains the best move.
However, I was simply playing to \"remove\" White's knight from my territory
while keeping the Fishing Pole Tactic alive.} 9. b4 $6 {[%clk
0:08:10.4][%timestamp 181] Interesting counterattack} 9... Bb6 $6 {[%clk
0:08:46.4][%timestamp 42] I play along    $1 The engine thinks that sacrificing
the knight on f2 and trading down is good. That's difficult to commit to    $1}
(9... Nxf2 {Ridiculous computer line    $1} 10. Rxf2 Bxf2+ 11. Kxf2 Nxd5 12. exd5
Qh4+ $1 {A fork that wins the h2-pawn. However, if Kg1 trying to defend the
h2-pawn...} 13. Kg1 $4 Qd4+ $1 {And Black wins the rook at the end of the sequence 
  $1}) 10. Nxb6 {[%clk 0:08:07.8][%timestamp 26]} 10... cxb6 $6 {[%clk
0:08:41.1][%timestamp 53]} 11. c3 $6 {[%clk 0:08:01.1][%timestamp 67]
Surprisingly, the engine thinks that h3, playing into the Fishing Pole Tactic is
the best move    $1 This is one of the things about the Fishing Pole - the threat
of it constrains White as even if they recognise it, avoiding it can be
problematic    $1} 11... Ng6 {[%clk 0:08:21.5][%timestamp 196] Bringing the second
knight into the attack    $1} 12. Nc4 $6 {[%clk 0:07:53.4][%timestamp 77]} 12...
Nf4 {[%clk 0:08:15.3][%timestamp 62]} 13. Bf3 $6 {[%clk 0:07:09.9][%timestamp
435] White trying to defend their King's position and technically, this is near
equality    $1} 13... Qh4 {[%clk 0:06:55.1][%timestamp 802] Finally, the queen
shows her hand    $1 Stockfish calls this an inaccuracy, but it's a very forcing
move as White has only a single correct move. With Can you find it    $2 With
Black, we can see multiple possible checkmates    $1} 14. h3 $4 {[%clk
0:06:36.4][%timestamp 335] This wasn't it has it blunders mate  $1 [-M8]} 14...
Nxh3+ $3 {[%clk 0:06:43.8][%timestamp 113] Knight sacrifice    $1} 15. Kh1 $6 {[%clk
0:06:04.1][%timestamp 323] This hastens checkmate, but gxh3 looks absolute
terrible as well    $1} 15... Nhxf2+ {[%clk 0:06:38.4][%timestamp 54] Double-check
   $1} 16. Kg1 {[%clk 0:06:02.5][%timestamp 16]} 16... Qh2# {[%clk
0:06:36.9][%timestamp 15]} 0-1