Defending a Mate Threat
Part of the Playing Real Games section of Coddy's Chess journey. Lesson 32 of 40.
Their last move threatened mate. First, see it: run their checks in your head and find the square the mate lands on. Then the cheapest cure - a pawn step that gives the king air, a guard on the square, a rook back to the rank, a pawn on the diagonal. One quiet move now beats a brilliant one later.
Try it yourselfBeginner
Position 1 of 6
WatchThe rook went hunting. Watch what it left behind.
The starting position.
0 / 2
All 6 positions
All lessons in Playing Real Games
1Think Before You Move
What Did That Move Change?Checks, Captures, ThreatsThe Landing SquareThe Blunder CheckTwo Candidates, Not OneRecap: Think Before You Move2Opening Principles
Centre, Pieces, KingDon't Move It TwiceThe Early QueenConnect the RooksSomething StrangeRecap: Opening Principles