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Removing the Defender

Removing the defender means capturing the piece that guards your target. Once the guard is gone, the target falls.

Removing a rook that defends a queen

The rook on d7 defends the queen on d8 along the file. The bishop captures the rook. The queen recaptures on d7. The white queen then captures the queen on d7, defended by the bishop on f5.

FEN: 3qk3/3r4/2B5/5B2/8/8/8/3Q2K1 w - - 0 1

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

Removing a knight that defends a rook

The knight on b6 defends the rook on a8. The pawn on a5 captures the knight. The rook on a1 then captures the rook on a8, which is now undefended.

FEN: r3k3/8/1n6/P7/8/8/8/R5K1 w - - 0 1

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

Key points

  • A target is safe only while its defender stands.
  • Capture the defender first.
  • The target may then be captured for free.
  • The defender may recapture, so count the exchange.
  • Removing the defender works with any capturing piece.
  • Giving up a piece to remove the defender can work if the target is worth more.
  • Always check what defends the target after the defender is gone.

Try it Yourself

Edit the code, then press Run.

Running is simulated · Rust Playground

Exercise

White to move. Which move removes the defender of the queen on d8?