The "initiative" is the ability to make threats that your opponent cannot ignore, forcing them to spend time defending rather than developing their own plans.
: A lone queen cannot deliver checkmate. A successful attack usually requires at least three coordinating pieces, such as a Queen-Bishop battery or rooks doubled on an open file. Winning Chess. How to Perfect Your Attacking Play
Attacking is a skill that must be sharpened through consistent practice. Unleashing the Fury: Chess Attack Techniques for Amateurs The "initiative" is the ability to make threats
: Look for squares or pawns that cannot be easily defended by other pawns, such as the f7/f2 squares or a king whose pawn shield has been pushed. Attacking is a skill that must be sharpened
Before you can launch a successful offensive, your own position must be sound.
: If you have the initiative, trading too many pieces can "dry out" the attack, leaving you without enough firepower to finish the game.