Defending a worse position is lesson 2 of 2 in Converting an advantage, a strategy course suited to players rated around 1300 (improving players). When you are worse, turn the rules around. Trade pawns, keep your pieces active, and look for a save. It has 2 interactive exercises: 2 find-the-move puzzles. You play every move on a board and get feedback straight away. The lesson is free.
What this lesson explains
When you are worse, flip the rules. Trade pawns, not pieces. With fewer pawns, the other side has fewer chances to make a queen. Keep your pieces active and set small problems on every move. And remember the stalemate: a king with no moves can save a lost game.
Recap.
When you are ahead, trade pieces, not pawns.
Stop your opponent's best trick before you go for more.
A won pawn endgame is often the easiest way to win.
When you are behind, trade pawns, keep your pieces active and set problems.
Look for stalemate when your king has no moves.
What you practise
Black has a knight and a pawn. You have only your king. A knight alone cannot checkmate, so Black needs that pawn. Take it.
You are a queen down, and Black threatens checkmate. But look at your king: it has no moves at all. If your rook were gone, you could not move anything. That is stalemate, and stalemate is a draw. Give your rook away with check.
Worked examples
Black has a knight and a pawn. You have only your king. A knight alone cannot checkmate, so Black needs that pawn. Take it. A draw. A king and a knight cannot checkmate a lone king, so you saved the game.
You are a queen down, and Black threatens checkmate. But look at your king: it has no moves at all. If your rook were gone, you could not move anything. That is stalemate, and stalemate is a draw. Give your rook away with check. Well done. If Black takes the rook, it is stalemate. If the king steps off the f-file, your rook takes the queen on f2.
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