Real-game tactics 1: Free pieces and first tactics

Take what is undefended, mate in one and two, back-rank mates and your first forks: positions from real games, each ending with a clear gain. This is a tactics course with 7 lessons and 48 interactive exercises, suited to players rated around 600 (beginners). Every exercise is played on a real board with feedback after each move, there is nothing to install, and it is free.

Lessons in Real-game tactics 1: Free pieces and first tactics

  1. Free pieces – The simplest way to win: take what is not defended. Before every move, ask which enemy pieces are unprotected.
  2. Mate in one – Find the move that checkmates. Try every check: which one leaves the king no escape?
  3. Back-rank mates – A king behind its own pawns can be mated on the back rank by a rook or a queen.
  4. Knight forks – The knight jumps, so its attacks cannot be blocked: perfect for hitting two pieces at once.
  5. Forks and double attacks – One move, two threats: your opponent can only answer one of them.
  6. Mate in two – Two-move mates: a forcing first move, often a check or a sacrifice, leaves the king without a defence.
  7. Promotion tactics – A pawn on the 7th rank is a queen in waiting: clear the way, deflect the blocker, promote.

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