Free pieces and counting

How to spot it

Most games below 1800 are decided by a piece left undefended. Before every move, scan the board for loose pieces (pieces nobody defends), both yours and your opponent’s. Long-range pieces are the usual culprits: check every diagonal and file your queen, rooks and bishops can see, right across the board.

When a piece is defended, count: how many of your pieces attack it, and how many defend it? With more attackers you usually win it, but capture with your least valuable piece first. If your first capture already costs more than the target is worth, the count does not help you.

Count only real defenders. A pinned piece does not defend. A defender whose recapture walks into a fork or a mate does not defend. The king cannot recapture on a square the enemy controls.

The reverse is just as important: a piece that looks free can be poisoned. Before you grab, ask what your opponent can do after the capture, starting with checks.

Puzzles

11 puzzles, rated 700 to 1700. A wrong move shows the engine’s refutation, and a missed puzzle comes back for review.