Beginner: Capturing Free Pieces
Learn to spot unprotected pieces and capture them. Puzzles from the Lichess puzzle database (hangingPiece theme).
Minor Pieces (3 pts)
Knights and bishops are worth about 3 points each. Black's bishop on f1 is unprotected. Capture it!
~How many points is a knight or bishop worth?
White's knight on c3 is unprotected. The bishop on g7 can capture it across the long diagonal. Always look for long-range captures!
The bishop on e5 has no defenders. Even the king can capture a hanging piece!
The rook on f6 is defended by the g7 pawn, but a rook (5 pts) is worth more than a knight (3 pts). Capture it! After gxf6, you gain 2 points.
~You trade a knight (3 pts) for a rook (5 pts). How many points do you gain?
Rooks (5 pts)
The rook on b2 moved too close to the king. When a piece is hanging right next to your king, grab it!
The bishop on e4 is hanging. The rook on b4 slides across the rank to take it.
A rook is worth 5 points, much more than a knight or bishop. White's rook on g2 is undefended. Capture it down the g-file!
~How many points is a rook worth?
Black's queen on h1 is unprotected. Your rook captures it along the first rank. That's 9 free points!
~Which is worth more, the rook or the queen?
The Queen (9 pts)
The queen is the most powerful piece, worth 9 points. Black's queen on d2 is hanging. Take it!
~How many points is the queen worth?
White's queen on a2 is undefended on the open a-file. Your queen captures it from a8. Always scan the whole board!
Drill these positions in spaced repetition
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