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Hanging Pieces

A hanging piece is a piece that can be captured for free. A hanging piece has no defender and no safe square to move to.

A hanging pawn

White pawn is on e5 and Black pawn is on d6. The Black pawn has no defender, so White may capture it for free.

FEN: 4k3/8/3p4/4P3/8/8/8/4K3 w - - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 . . . . k . . . 8
7 . . . . . . . . 7
6 . . . p . . . . 6
5 . . . . P . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . . . . . 2
1 . . . . K . . . 1
  a b c d e f g h

A hanging rook

White queen is on e5 and Black rook is on e6. The Black rook has no defender, so White may capture it for free.

FEN: 4k3/8/4r3/4Q3/8/8/8/4K3 w - - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 . . . . k . . . 8
7 . . . . . . . . 7
6 . . . . r . . . 6
5 . . . . Q . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . . . . . 2
1 . . . . K . . . 1
  a b c d e f g h

A piece that looks safe

White knight is on d4 and Black pawn is on e6. The pawn is defended by the Black king only if the king stands close enough, and here the king is far away on e8.

FEN: 4k3/8/4p3/8/3N4/8/8/4K3 w - - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 . . . . k . . . 8
7 . . . . . . . . 7
6 . . . . p . . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . N . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . . . . . 2
1 . . . . K . . . 1
  a b c d e f g h

Key points

  • A piece is hanging when an enemy piece attacks it and no friendly piece defends it.
  • A piece is also hanging when it can move, but every move still loses it.
  • Check every piece before you move. A piece you moved last turn can become hanging after the enemy reply.
  • Move a hanging piece to safety, defend it, or trade it for a piece of equal value.
  • Never leave a piece hanging without a reason. A free piece is a gift to the other side.

Try it Yourself

Edit the code, then press Run.

Running is simulated · Rust Playground

Exercise

Black rook on e6 is undefended and White queen is on e5. What should White play?