Chess Coach · one useful idea
Look at the next capture
When a piece is attacked, pause before calling it lost—or calling a capture free. Look at the attacker, a possible helper and the next legal reply.
Who points at which square?
An attack means an enemy piece points at a piece’s square. A defender is a friendly piece pointing at that square. These are relationships to inspect; they do not settle the result of an exchange.
In both small boards below, White’s rook on d1 can legally capture Black’s queen on d5. The difference is a black rook on d8. Follow the d-file to see what that helper can do.
No immediate recapture
White to move. Inspect the queen on d5. Try capturing it with the rook on d1.
A practice position with fewer pieces. White moves first; ordinary king-safety rules apply.
Tab to the board. Arrow keys move focus; Enter or Space selects a square. White to move.
White to move. Inspect the queen on d5. Try capturing it with the rook on d1.
Try the capture, then inspect a reply
Select d1, then d5. In “No immediate recapture,” the black king is too far away to capture the rook on d5 next move.
Switch to “A rook can take back.” After White captures on d5, use “Show one reply” to watch the black rook from d8 legally capture the white rook. The reply is possible, not forced.
A queen being attacked does not mean White must take it immediately. A legal capture does not by itself prove that it is the best move.
A small checklist for your game
Check the move
Is the path clear? Is it your turn? Does your own king remain safe?
Check a reply
Which enemy pieces could capture back? A piece pinned to its king may be unable to move legally.
Compare choices
You might move the attacked piece, capture the attacker or block a line. Choose after looking at the position, rather than assuming a threatened piece is doomed.
Bring the idea back to your game
In Chess Coach, revisit “Spot a threat,” “Find a helper” or “Look for a free piece.” Coach’s current-turn example is one legal continuation, not a guarantee of the best move.
If you opened this page from Coach, return to your game when you are ready. You can keep playing and read these details later.
Practise on the web board →Choose Pass-and-play or a practice bot on that board to try a whole game. The iPhone app is not publicly available yet.