Exercise 8.1Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. What is White threatening, and how should Black meet the threat?
8
Calculation in Chess · Yatish Chandra Shukla
Calculating in Defence
Finding the only move
In this lesson you will learn
- Why defence needs more calculation than attack
- A four-step method for positions where you are under threat
- How to compare defences and choose the one that really works
- The counter-attack: when the best defence is a threat of your own
Every board on this page is live. Move the pieces by tapping or dragging, click any move in the lines to see that position, and press ↺ to start again.
8.1 Defending Is Calculating
Most chess books teach attack. But in your games, roughly half the time it is your opponent who has the initiative. When they attack, you cannot afford to guess. An attacker who misses the best move usually keeps some advantage; a defender who misses the only move usually loses at once.
Defence is also harder for a simple reason: you have to calculate your opponent's ideas, which you did not choose and may not expect. In Chapter 3 we learned to find the threat. In this chapter we learn to find the answer — and to make sure it really works.
NoteA position where only one move saves you is called an only-move position. In such positions the natural move, the "obvious" move, is very often the wrong one.
8.2 Four Steps When You Are Under Threat
1. Name the threat exactly. Use the pass trick. Write the threat as a line of moves, not as a feeling: not "he is attacking", but "he wants ♕xh7+ and ♖h8#".
2. List every possible defence. Move the attacked piece, defend it, block the line, capture the attacker, or counter-attack. Write all of them down before you judge any.
3. Test each defence against the threat. For each candidate, play the threat in your head again. Does it still work? Is there a second threat behind the first one?
4. Choose the defence that leaves you most active. If two moves both hold, prefer the one that develops a piece, keeps material, or creates a threat of your own.
LessonDo not stop at the first defence you find. Many threats have a "second wave": after you parry the first idea, a new tactic appears. Check every defence one move further.
8.3 Five Kinds of Defence
| Defence | When it works best |
|---|---|
| Move away | The attacked piece has a safe square that does not create a new weakness. |
| Add a defender | The attacker is worth more than your piece, so capturing it would cost your opponent material |
| Block | The attack comes along a line (rook, bishop or queen) and you can put a cheap piece in the way. |
| Capture the attacker | You can take the attacking piece safely — often the cleanest answer of all. |
| Counter-attack | You have a check or a bigger threat. It must be calculated: a counter-attack that fails loses. |
TipThe counter-attack is the most tempting defence and the most dangerous. Use it only when your calculation shows that your threat comes first, or is bigger, than your opponent's.
8.4 Worked Examples
Each example follows the four steps. Cover the text below the diagram and try each step yourself first.
Diagram 8.1Black to move
Example 8.1
Black to move. What is White threatening, and what is the best defence?
Step 1 — the threat. If Black passed, White would play 1.♕e7+ ♔h6 2.♘e6, with a mating attack.
Step 2 — the candidates. Here are Black's four most natural answers, tested against the threat:
| Move | What happens | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| 1...♘xe8 | 1...♘xe8 2.♔f2 a6 | HOLDS |
| 1...♔f6 | 1...♔f6 2.♕d8+ ♔f5 | FAILS |
| 1...♔h6 | 1...♔h6 2.♕d8 ♘b7 | FAILS |
| 1...b5 | 1...b5 2.♕e7+ ♔g8 | FAILS |
Step 3 — the choice. 1...♘xe8! is the best answer: it stops the threat and keeps the position in Black’s favour.
LessonTest every defence against the threat you named in Step 1. A move that looks active but leaves the threat on the board is not a defence.
Diagram 8.2White to move
Example 8.2
White to move. What is Black threatening, and what is the best defence?
Step 1 — the threat. If White passed, Black would play 1...♗c5+ 2.d4 ♗xd4+, winning material.
Step 2 — the candidates. Here are White's four most natural answers, tested against the threat:
| Move | What happens | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| 1.♖xe1 | 1.♖xe1 ♗c5+ 2.♔d2 | HOLDS |
| 1.exd6 | 1.exd6 ♕xh1 2.dxe7 | FAILS |
| 1.♗d2 | 1.♗d2 ♗c5+ 2.d4 | FAILS |
| 1.♖f1 | 1.♖f1 ♗c5+ 2.d4 | FAILS |
Step 3 — the choice. 1.♖xe1! is the best answer: it stops the threat and keeps the position in White’s favour.
LessonTest every defence against the threat you named in Step 1. A move that looks active but leaves the threat on the board is not a defence.
Diagram 8.3White to move
Example 8.3
White to move. What is Black threatening, and what is the best defence?
Step 1 — the threat. If White passed, Black would play 1...♖b2+ 2.♔c1 ♗e3+, winning material.
Step 2 — the candidates. Here are White's four most natural answers, tested against the threat:
| Move | What happens | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| 1.♔xa2 | 1.♔xa2 bxc4 2.b5 | HOLDS |
| 1.♖xh6+ | 1.♖xh6+ ♔xh6 2.♔xa2 | FAILS |
| 1.bxc5 | 1.bxc5 ♖b2+ 2.♔c1 | FAILS |
| 1.♖d8 | 1.♖d8 ♖b2+ 2.♔a1 | FAILS |
Step 3 — the choice. 1.♔xa2! is the best answer: it stops the threat and keeps the position in White’s favour.
LessonTest every defence against the threat you named in Step 1. A move that looks active but leaves the threat on the board is not a defence.
Diagram 8.4White to move
Example 8.4
White to move. What is Black threatening, and what is the best defence?
Step 1 — the threat. If White passed, Black would play 1...♖xd1 2.♖xd1 g4, winning material.
Step 2 — the candidates. Here are White's four most natural answers, tested against the threat:
| Move | What happens | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| 1.♕xb1 | 1.♕xb1 ♕xb1 2.♖xb1 | HOLDS |
| 1.♘e3 | 1.♘e3 ♖xd1 2.♖xd1 | FAILS |
| 1.♖h7+ | 1.♖h7+ ♔b6 2.♖h1 | FAILS |
| 1.♖g1 | 1.♖g1 g4 2.♘e3 | FAILS |
Step 3 — the choice. 1.♕xb1! is the best answer: it stops the threat and keeps the position balanced.
LessonTest every defence against the threat you named in Step 1. A move that looks active but leaves the threat on the board is not a defence.
Diagram 8.5White to move
Example 8.5
White to move. What is Black threatening, and what is the best defence?
Step 1 — the threat. If White passed, Black would play 1...♖xd1+ 2.♔xd1 ♘e3+, winning material.
Step 2 — the candidates. Here are White's four most natural answers, tested against the threat:
| Move | What happens | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| 1.♖xg1 | 1.♖xg1 ♘e3 2.♖g5 | HOLDS |
| 1.c5 | 1.c5 ♖xd1+ 2.♔xd1 | FAILS |
| 1.♘c2 | 1.♘c2 ♖xd1+ 2.♔xd1 | FAILS |
| 1.b6 | 1.b6 ♖xd1+ 2.♔xd1 | FAILS |
Step 3 — the choice. 1.♖xg1! is the best answer: it stops the threat and keeps the position balanced.
LessonTest every defence against the threat you named in Step 1. A move that looks active but leaves the threat on the board is not a defence.
Diagram 8.6Black to move
Example 8.6
Black to move. What is White threatening, and what is the best defence?
Step 1 — the threat. If Black passed, White would play 1.♖xa8+ ♔d7 2.♖xg8, winning material.
Step 2 — the candidates. Here are Black's four most natural answers, tested against the threat:
| Move | What happens | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| 1...♖xa6 | 1...♖xa6 2.♘xd6+ cxd6 | HOLDS |
| 1...♖g3+ | 1...♖g3+ 2.hxg3 ♖xa6 | FAILS |
| 1...♔d7 | 1...♔d7 2.♖ac6 ♔d8 | FAILS |
| 1...♖b8 | 1...♖b8 2.♗xa5 ♗xh2 | FAILS |
Step 3 — the choice. 1...♖xa6! is the best answer: it stops the threat and keeps the position balanced.
LessonTest every defence against the threat you named in Step 1. A move that looks active but leaves the threat on the board is not a defence.
Diagram 8.7White to move
Example 8.7
White to move. What is Black threatening, and what is the best defence?
Step 1 — the threat. If White passed, Black would play 1...♗xe2 2.♖e1 ♗xf3, winning material.
Step 2 — the candidates. Here are White's four most natural answers, tested against the threat:
| Move | What happens | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| 1.♕xc4 | 1.♕xc4 ♕d5 2.♕xd5 | HOLDS |
| 1.♕e1 | 1.♕e1 O-O 2.♗d2 | FAILS |
| 1.♕d1 | 1.♕d1 ♗xf1 2.♔xf1 | FAILS |
| 1.♕c2 | 1.♕c2 ♗xf1 2.♔xf1 | FAILS |
Step 3 — the choice. 1.♕xc4! is the best answer: it stops the threat and keeps the position balanced.
LessonTest every defence against the threat you named in Step 1. A move that looks active but leaves the threat on the board is not a defence.
Diagram 8.8Black to move
Example 8.8
Black to move. What is White threatening, and what is the best defence?
Step 1 — the threat. If Black passed, White would play 1.♗xc7 ♗c8 2.♗g3, winning material.
Step 2 — the candidates. Here are Black's four most natural answers, tested against the threat:
| Move | What happens | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| 1...♕xd6 | 1...♕xd6 2.♘a4 e5 | HOLDS |
| 1...♕d8 | 1...♕d8 2.♗xf8 ♔xf8 | FAILS |
| 1...♕a5 | 1...♕a5 2.b4 ♕d8 | FAILS |
| 1...♕c8 | 1...♕c8 2.♘a4 ♘e4 | FAILS |
Step 3 — the choice. 1...♕xd6! is the best answer: it stops the threat and keeps the position in Black’s favour.
LessonTest every defence against the threat you named in Step 1. A move that looks active but leaves the threat on the board is not a defence.
Diagram 8.9Black to move
Example 8.9
Black to move. What is White threatening, and what is the best defence?
Step 1 — the threat. If Black passed, White would play 1.fxe4 ♖xe4 2.♖c3, winning material.
Step 2 — the candidates. Here are Black's four most natural answers, tested against the threat:
| Move | What happens | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| 1...exd3 | 1...exd3 2.cxd3 ♖a6 | HOLDS |
| 1...h5 | 1...h5 2.♖e3 exf3 | FAILS |
| 1...exf3 | 1...exf3 2.♖xf3+ ♔e7 | FAILS |
| 1...♖c6 | 1...♖c6 2.♖c3 exf3 | FAILS |
Step 3 — the choice. 1...exd3! is the best answer: it stops the threat and keeps the position balanced.
LessonTest every defence against the threat you named in Step 1. A move that looks active but leaves the threat on the board is not a defence.
Diagram 8.10White to move
Example 8.10
White to move. What is Black threatening, and what is the best defence?
Step 1 — the threat. If White passed, Black would play 1...♘xd6 2.♖c6 ♗xa1, winning a rook and a bishop.
Step 2 — the candidates. Here are White's four most natural answers, tested against the threat:
| Move | What happens | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| 1.fxe4 | 1.fxe4 ♘f6 2.♗e7 | FAILS |
| 1.♗e7 | 1.♗e7 ♘g3+ 2.♔e1 | FAILS |
| 1.♗c7 | 1.♗c7 ♘g3+ 2.♔e1 | FAILS |
| 1.♖c7 | 1.♖c7 ♘g3+ 2.♔d1 | FAILS |
Step 3 — the choice. 1.fxe4! is the best answer: it stops the threat and keeps the position playable.
LessonTest every defence against the threat you named in Step 1. A move that looks active but leaves the threat on the board is not a defence.
Diagram 8.11White to move
Example 8.11
White to move. What is Black threatening, and what is the best defence?
Step 1 — the threat. If White passed, Black would play 1...exf4 2.♕xg4 ♕e7, winning material.
Step 2 — the candidates. Here are White's four most natural answers, tested against the threat:
| Move | What happens | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| 1.♘g6+ | 1.♘g6+ ♔e8 2.♘xh8 | HOLDS |
| 1.♘e6+ | 1.♘e6+ ♗xe6 2.fxe6 | FAILS |
| 1.♘d5 | 1.♘d5 ♕f7 2.♕xg4 | FAILS |
| 1.♘e2 | 1.♘e2 ♗xf5 2.♘g3 | FAILS |
Step 3 — the choice. 1.♘g6+! is the best answer: it stops the threat and keeps the position in White’s favour.
LessonTest every defence against the threat you named in Step 1. A move that looks active but leaves the threat on the board is not a defence.
Diagram 8.12Black to move
Example 8.12
Black to move. What is White threatening, and what is the best defence?
Step 1 — the threat. If Black passed, White would play 1.♘xe7+ ♔h7 2.♘c6, winning material.
Step 2 — the candidates. Here are Black's four most natural answers, tested against the threat:
| Move | What happens | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| 1...gxf5 | 1...gxf5 2.♕c2 f4 | HOLDS |
| 1...♘xf5 | 1...♘xf5 2.exf5 ♗b7 | FAILS |
| 1...♕c7 | 1...♕c7 2.♘xe7+ ♕xe7 | FAILS |
| 1...♗f8 | 1...♗f8 2.♘xe7+ ♗xe7 | FAILS |
Step 3 — the choice. 1...gxf5! is the best answer: it stops the threat and keeps the position in Black’s favour.
LessonTest every defence against the threat you named in Step 1. A move that looks active but leaves the threat on the board is not a defence.
Diagram 8.13Black to move
Example 8.13
Black to move. What is White threatening, and what is the best defence?
Step 1 — the threat. If Black passed, White would play 1.♘xd8 ♗xd8 2.♘c3, winning material.
Step 2 — the candidates. Here are Black's four most natural answers, tested against the threat:
| Move | What happens | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| 1...dxc6 | 1...dxc6 2.d3 ♘f6 | HOLDS |
| 1...bxc6 | 1...bxc6 2.c4 d5 | HOLDS |
| 1...♘xf2 | 1...♘xf2 2.♘xd8 ♘xd1 | FAILS |
| 1...♘c3 | 1...♘c3 2.dxc3 dxc6 | FAILS |
Step 3 — the choice. 1...dxc6! is the best answer: it stops the threat and keeps the position balanced.
LessonTest every defence against the threat you named in Step 1. A move that looks active but leaves the threat on the board is not a defence.
Diagram 8.14White to move
Example 8.14
White to move. What is Black threatening, and what is the best defence?
Step 1 — the threat. If White passed, Black would play 1...♗xe2 2.♖d2 ♗xg4, winning material.
Step 2 — the candidates. Here are White's four most natural answers, tested against the threat:
| Move | What happens | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| 1.♘xc4 | 1.♘xc4 ♗xf4 2.♗xf6 | HOLDS |
| 1.♗xc4 | 1.♗xc4 ♕d8 2.♔g2 | HOLDS |
| 1.♗f3 | 1.♗f3 ♗b5 2.♕c3 | FAILS |
| 1.♖e1 | 1.♖e1 ♗xd5 2.♖d1 | FAILS |
Step 3 — the choice. 1.♘xc4! is the best answer: it stops the threat and keeps the position balanced.
LessonTest every defence against the threat you named in Step 1. A move that looks active but leaves the threat on the board is not a defence.
Remember
- In defence, missing the best move usually means losing. Calculate at least as carefully as when you attack.
- Name the threat as a concrete line of moves.
- List every defence, then test each one against the threat — and against the next threat behind it.
- Prefer the defence that keeps your pieces active. Counter-attack only after calculating it.
Exercises · Lesson 8
In every puzzle your opponent has a strong threat. Find it, list your defences, and choose the one that really holds. Write the threat and your answer as lines of moves.
Exercise 8.2Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. What is White threatening, and how should Black meet the threat?
Exercise 8.3Find the move
White to move
White to move. What is Black threatening, and how should White meet the threat?
Exercise 8.4Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. What is White threatening, and how should Black meet the threat?
Exercise 8.5Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. What is White threatening, and how should Black meet the threat?
Exercise 8.6Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. What is White threatening, and how should Black meet the threat?
Exercise 8.7Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. What is White threatening, and how should Black meet the threat?
Exercise 8.8Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. What is White threatening, and how should Black meet the threat?
Exercise 8.9Find the move
White to move
White to move. What is Black threatening, and how should White meet the threat?
Exercise 8.10Find the move
White to move
White to move. What is Black threatening, and how should White meet the threat?
Exercise 8.11Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. What is White threatening, and how should Black meet the threat?
Exercise 8.12Find the move
White to move
White to move. What is Black threatening, and how should White meet the threat?
Exercise 8.13Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. What is White threatening, and how should Black meet the threat?
Exercise 8.14Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. What is White threatening, and how should Black meet the threat?
Exercise 8.15Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. What is White threatening, and how should Black meet the threat?
Exercise 8.16Find the move
White to move
White to move. What is Black threatening, and how should White meet the threat?
Exercise 8.17Find the move
White to move
White to move. What is Black threatening, and how should White meet the threat?
Exercise 8.18Find the move
White to move
White to move. What is Black threatening, and how should White meet the threat?
Exercise 8.19Find the move
White to move
White to move. What is Black threatening, and how should White meet the threat?
Exercise 8.20Find the move
White to move
White to move. What is Black threatening, and how should White meet the threat?
Exercise 8.21Find the move
White to move
White to move. What is Black threatening, and how should White meet the threat?
Exercise 8.22Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. What is White threatening, and how should Black meet the threat?
Exercise 8.23Find the move
White to move
White to move. What is Black threatening, and how should White meet the threat?
Exercise 8.24Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. What is White threatening, and how should Black meet the threat?
Exercise 8.25Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. What is White threatening, and how should Black meet the threat?
Exercise 8.26Find the move
White to move
White to move. What is Black threatening, and how should White meet the threat?
Exercise 8.27Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. What is White threatening, and how should Black meet the threat?
Exercise 8.28Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. What is White threatening, and how should Black meet the threat?
Exercise 8.29Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. What is White threatening, and how should Black meet the threat?
Exercise 8.30Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. What is White threatening, and how should Black meet the threat?
Exercise 8.31Find the move
White to move
White to move. What is Black threatening, and how should White meet the threat?
Exercise 8.32Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. What is White threatening, and how should Black meet the threat?
Exercise 8.33Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. What is White threatening, and how should Black meet the threat?
Exercise 8.34Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. What is White threatening, and how should Black meet the threat?
Exercise 8.35Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. What is White threatening, and how should Black meet the threat?
Exercise 8.36Find the move
White to move
White to move. What is Black threatening, and how should White meet the threat?
Exercise 8.37Find the move
White to move
White to move. What is Black threatening, and how should White meet the threat?
Exercise 8.38Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. What is White threatening, and how should Black meet the threat?
Exercise 8.39Find the move
White to move
White to move. What is Black threatening, and how should White meet the threat?
Exercise 8.40Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. What is White threatening, and how should Black meet the threat?