Is anything hanging? is lesson 1 of 2 in The blunder check, a basics course suited to players rated around 720 (beginners). A hanging piece is attacked and not protected. Find them on both sides before every move. It has 3 interactive exercises: 2 find-the-move puzzles, 1 board-square exercise. You play every move on a board and get feedback straight away. The lesson is free.
What this lesson explains
A blunder is a move that gives away a piece, or lets your opponent checkmate you. Strong players blunder less because they check every move before they play it. The check takes two questions. First, is anything hanging? Second, what does my move allow?
What you practise
Question one. A piece is hanging when an enemy piece attacks it and none of your pieces protect it. Tap every white piece that is hanging here.
Now ask the same question about Black. One black piece is hanging too. Take it with your bishop. The bishop leaves danger and wins a piece in the same move.
Black's knight attacks your queen. Move her to a square where no black piece can take her. Before you let go, check the new square: who attacks it?
Worked examples
Question one. A piece is hanging when an enemy piece attacks it and none of your pieces protect it. Tap every white piece that is hanging here. Right. The rook on d8 attacks your knight. The bishop on b7 and the knight on f6 attack your bishop. Nothing protects either of them.
Now ask the same question about Black. One black piece is hanging too. Take it with your bishop. The bishop leaves danger and wins a piece in the same move. Good. You took a free bishop. Black can take your knight on d4, so it ends as an even trade, and you lost nothing.
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