Capture the Defender is a chess tactic in which you remove a piece that is defending an important square or piece, making it easier to launch an attack or gain material advantage. This tactic is also called Removing the Guard. In the diagram above, White can play 1.Qxc3 to remove the defender of the important f6 square. If Black recaptures, 2.Nf6+ wins immediately.
When Capturing an Important Defender: (1) Be mindful of counterattacks and in-between moves. Against a "Capture the Defender" Tactic: (1) Increase the support to the piece protected by the threatened defender.
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When we started adding a playful touch to chess learning, we looked through thousands of videos and hundreds of books to find the best resources out there. Here's our curated selection of the best content we encountered on Capture the Defender tactics. We also included some smaller creators who are growing fast and we believe deserve your attention. Check out these resources if you want to master this tactical pattern.
This fine video by Charlotte Chess Center is a great step-by-step introduction to the Capture the Defender tactical motif. Ideal for the very beginners.
In this lesson by Metal Eagle Chess Center you get a very clear introduction to the Capture the Defender tactic as one of three ways of “Removing the Guard” theme. The other two being forms of Deflection (diverting and chasing). Go for it.
Have a look at this chess.com lesson on the ways you can remove a defender (capturing it being one of them). And at the end, consolidate your learning with the interactive chess.com challenges about the lesson.
Get this highly popular book by Emmanuel Neiman and make better use of your time and energy by recognizing the presence or absence of tactics in the positions in front of you. Follow all the moves with ease thanks to the interactive e-book reader.
This is a famous book by Axel Smith & Hans Tikkanen that helps you greatly improve your calculation skills through structured repetition of puzzles (many including Capture the Defender tactics). Highly recommended for serious beginners and up.
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