ChessAnalyzerRemoving the defender: chess tactics explained, with 8 puzzles
If a piece is only defended once, capture or chase away the defender and the piece falls. Ask of every enemy piece: what defends it, and can I remove that defender with gain of time?
Every puzzle below comes from a real game position, and every solution was verified with Stockfish 18: each move you need to find is the only good move — the second-best alternative is at least two pawns worse. Try to solve each one before opening the solution.
Puzzle 1 Beginner
White to move. Remove the defender and win material.
Hint
Which enemy piece is doing all the defending?
Solution
16. Bxb7
Bxb7 deals with the piece that was guarding everything. Without its defender, the target falls. 16. Bxb7. White wins the queen.
Puzzle 2 Beginner
Black to move. Remove the defender and win material.
Hint
Which enemy piece is doing all the defending?
Solution
22… Qxc2
Qxc2 deals with the piece that was guarding everything. Without its defender, the target falls. 22… Qxc2. Black wins the queen.
Puzzle 3 Beginner
White to move. Remove the defender and win material.
Hint
Which enemy piece is doing all the defending?
Solution
22. Rxb6
Rxb6 deals with the piece that was guarding everything. Without its defender, the target falls. 22. Rxb6. White wins the queen.
Puzzle 4 Beginner
Black to move. Remove the defender and win material.
Hint
Which enemy piece is doing all the defending?
Solution
19… Nxd2
Nxd2 deals with the piece that was guarding everything. Without its defender, the target falls. 19… Nxd2. Black wins a piece.
Puzzle 5 Beginner
Black to move. Remove the defender and win material.
Hint
Which enemy piece is doing all the defending?
Solution
40… hxg3+
hxg3+ deals with the piece that was guarding everything. Without its defender, the target falls. 40… hxg3+. Black wins a rook.
Puzzle 6 Beginner
Black to move. Remove the defender and win material.
Hint
Which enemy piece is doing all the defending?
Solution
36… Rxe8
Rxe8 deals with the piece that was guarding everything. Without its defender, the target falls. 36… Rxe8. Black wins the queen.
Puzzle 7 Beginner
White to move. Remove the defender and win material.
Hint
Which enemy piece is doing all the defending?
Solution
21. dxe5
dxe5 deals with the piece that was guarding everything. Without its defender, the target falls. 21. dxe5. White wins the queen.
Puzzle 8 Beginner
White to move. Remove the defender and win material.
Hint
Which enemy piece is doing all the defending?
Solution
11. Bxc7
Bxc7 deals with the piece that was guarding everything. Without its defender, the target falls. 11. Bxc7. White wins the queen.
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