Removing the defender is lesson 6 of 7 in Real-game tactics 2: Forks, pins and skewers, a tactics course suited to players rated around 800 (beginners). If a piece or a square is guarded only once, take or chase away the guard and it falls. It has 7 interactive exercises: 7 calculated lines from real positions. You play every move on a board and get feedback straight away. The lesson is free.
What you practise
Black to move: mate in 2. (4 positions)
White to move: mate in 2. (3 positions)
Worked examples
Black to move: mate in 2. 1...Qxc1+ 2.Bd1 Qxd1#. The king was trapped on the back rank behind its own pawns. Mate in 2.
White to move: mate in 2. 1.Qxf6+ Kh7 2.Qg7#. Taking the queen on f6 removed the defender of g7. Mate in 2.
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