Defence

Defend without losing the thread

Escape check, protect passed pawns and find drawing resources in difficult positions.

Club foundations · 1000–1400Intermediate · 1400–1600Toward 1800 · 1600–1800

4 lessons · 32 min estimated practice

Free · No game imports needed

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White to move

Try the first position

Escape check and answer the capture of the b2 rook.

Deal with the check first
Club foundations · 8 min
The black bishop checks along the d4–g1 diagonal. Find a king escape that lets your queen keep responding along the second rank.
Block with an active piece
Intermediate · 8 min
The white queen checks along the eighth rank. Your bishop can close that line; then you must answer an attack on your queen.
Defend with the king and gain time
Toward 1800 · 8 min
Your advanced pawns need support. The king can approach while attacking the bishop, so defence also gains a tempo.
Save an inferior position
Toward 1800 · 8 min
Even when far behind in material, examine forced exchanges and your last pawn’s advance. Here the aim is to retain drawing resources.