Exercise in conceptualization

 U try to deepen my knowledge by looking time and again at the problems in my database. That is encouraged by the method of spaced repetition. Some positions are suited for the identification of phantom patterns, while this position seems ideally suited for the conceptualization of ideas around the kingside attack.

r2qk3/pp1n1pp1/2pbp3/3p3n/2P3bP/1PNP4/PB2PPBP/R3QRK1 b q - 0 1

A prime idea would be a black queen at h2, delivering mate. What is the route to that, how could white put up obstacles and how can black level these.

The lines of attack

• Qd8 - h4 - h2
• Bd6 - h2

The obstacles 

• a pawn on h3 blocks the direct access from h4 to h2, albeit the maneuver Qh4 - f4 - h2 might circumvent this. 
• a pawn on h4 blocks the d6 - h2 diagonal and let the white queen protect h4

Skedaddle

• If you give white too many free tempi, he might get rid of his rook on f1 and  flee with his king to f1
• If f3 or f4 is played, a hiding place via f2 might be found

Blocking the blocker

1. ... Bf3 blocks f2, thus keeping the diagonal d6 - h2 open. Furthermore, whites queen cannot involve in the defense. 2. Bxf3 maintains the blockade, while it gives up the blockading square h3

Adding defenders

Can white add defenders? No.

The conceptual elements

This gives the following elements for concept building which are quite common:

• The lines of attack
• obstacles in the lines of attack
• obstacles to prevent obstacles from blocking the lines of attack
• lines of skedaddling
• adding defenders

With these elements, a recipe for an attack can be put together.