Stop the threat

How to spot it

Most club games are not won, they are lost: one side overlooks a threat and the game is over. These puzzles train the habit that prevents it. Before every move, ask: what does my opponent threaten?

Start with the opponent’s last move. What does the moved piece attack now, and which line did it open? Then scan for checks, captures and attacks on your undefended pieces, especially your queen.

When something is attacked, list every way to answer: move it, defend it, block the attack, capture the attacker, or make a bigger threat first (often a check). Then test each candidate for a tactical refutation. Usually only one survives.

In every puzzle here your opponent has just made a threat. Find the only move that holds the position together. The natural-looking moves lose.

Puzzles

Ten puzzles, rated 800 to 1650. A wrong move shows the engine’s refutation, and a missed puzzle comes back for review.