Looks Free, Isn't
Part of the Core Motifs section of Coddy's Tactics & Checkmates journey. Lesson 31 of 35.
Before you take, count. A piece is free only if nothing guards it, and guards hide: a bishop at the far end of a diagonal, a knight two jumps away, a rook behind a pawn. Attackers against defenders. When the count is even the grab is a trade; when it is worse, the grab is a gift.
Try it yourselfBeginner
Position 1 of 7
WatchA pawn that looks free. Watch the rook take it.
The starting position.
0 / 2
All 7 positions
All lessons in Core Motifs
4Discovered Attack
The Loaded GunDiscovered CheckLoading the GunPuzzles: DiscoveriesRecap: Discovered Attack7Tactic or Not?
Looks Free, Isn'tThe Tactic That Isn'tTactic or Not?Puzzles: Mixed MotifsRecap: Core Motifs