The windmill: repeated discovered checks

The rook alternates between captures and checks while the bishop repeatedly uncovers an attack on the king. Black is forced to watch its material disappear one piece at a time.

Lesson

White to move. Main line: 1. Rxf7+ Kg8 2. Rg7+ Kh8 3. Rxd7+ Kg8 4. Rg7+

1.Rxf7+ moves the rook off g7 and uncovers the bishop’s diagonal from c3 to h8. The check therefore comes from the bishop, allowing the rook to capture on f7 without losing a tempo.

After ...Kg8, the rook returns with Rg7+, checking directly and forcing ...Kh8. The cycle restarts, and Rxd7+ removes the queen while once again uncovering the bishop. Each swing has one checking half and one capturing half.

A windmill requires two coordinated pieces: one gives the discovered check when the other moves away, and the moving piece can return with a direct check. Before starting the cycle, count how many targets the mobile piece can collect and where the king can deviate.