Exploring the gap

 How do I find my way in the Vukovic gap (the moves between the middlegame and the forced mate)?

It turns out that there are a few things that are pretty constant: the LoA landscape (lines of attack). This is a position from the same game as in the previous post.

The LoA landscape

The diagonals form a pretty constant factor. If the black king is going to be assaulted, than these blue diagonals will probably play a role. Somewhere between move 10 and 30.

The same applies for the knights. There are a few squares on the kingside that are more likely to play a role than others.

And when a rook or queen appears on h3, it is probably going to be dangerous.

Defenders that are cut off from the kingside

The black pieces like the Q, N, B and R will need a lot of time to assist in defending the king.

Counter attack

Black might cause trouble by attacking the white c and d pawn. If white can support these pawns long enough, he might delay the black counter attack sufficient to press his own agenda. The two white rooks are the natural supporters of these pawns.

These three points above give the contours how a battle might evolve. By perfect play from both sides, probably nothing is going to happen. But with a few inaccurate moves from one side, the balance might tip. If one party isn't aware of the LoA's, he might well fall for moves that weaken the LoA's.