🎓 A1Learner
🔍
0 of 43 lessons completed

Clearance

Clearance moves a piece away so another piece can use its line or square. The cleared line is the point of the move.

A pawn clears a file for a rook

The pawn on a2 blocks the rook on a1. The pawn captures the pawn on b3 and clears the file. The king moves to e7, and the rook captures the rook on a8.

FEN: r3k3/8/8/8/8/1p6/P7/R5K1 w - - 0 1

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

A pawn clears a square for a knight

The pawn on e2 stands on the square the knight wants. The pawn moves to e4. The king moves to e7, and the knight jumps from g1 to e2.

FEN: 4k3/8/8/8/3p4/8/4P3/6NK w - - 0 1

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

Key points

  • Clearance frees a line for a rook, bishop, or queen.
  • Clearance frees a square for another piece.
  • The clearing piece often captures as it leaves.
  • The clearing piece often moves with a threat of its own.
  • After clearance, the second piece attacks at once.
  • Clearance is common when a rook needs a path, and when a pawn push opens lines.
  • Ask what line or square a move opens, not just what it captures.

Try it Yourself

Edit the code, then press Run.

Running is simulated · Rust Playground

Exercise

White to move. Which pawn move clears the a-file for the rook on a1?