Removing the Defender

Removing the defender is a tactic where you eliminate or deflect a piece that is defending something important, allowing you to capture or attack what was being defended.

Methods of Removal

Direct Capture

Simply capture the defending piece.

Forcing Exchange

Force a trade that removes the defender.

Deflection

Force the defender to move away from its post.

Pinning

Pin the defender so it cannot perform its defensive duties.

Common Scenarios

1. Removing Mate Defense: Eliminate the piece preventing checkmate
2. Removing Piece Defense: Capture the defender of a valuable piece
3. Removing Square Defense: Remove control of a key square
4. Removing Pawn Defense: Eliminate the defender of a weak pawn

Calculation Steps

• Identify what is being defended
• Find the defender
• Calculate if removing it wins material or delivers mate
• Check for defensive resources

Defensive Techniques

• Provide multiple defenders for important pieces
• Keep defenders flexible
• Be aware of forcing sequences
• Maintain piece coordination

Practice Tips

• Always identify what each piece is defending
• Look for pieces with multiple defensive duties
• Calculate forcing sequences
• Practice defender removal puzzles

This tactic is fundamental to winning material and delivering checkmate.