Removing the defender is lesson 1 of 8 in Real-game tactics 4: Removing the defender and sacrifices, a tactics course suited to players rated around 1200 (improving players). If a piece or a square is guarded only once, take or chase away the guard and it falls. It has 5 interactive exercises: 5 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 3.
White to move: remove the defender and win. (2 positions)
White to move: mate in 3. (2 positions)
Worked examples
Black to move: mate in 3. 1...Nxf3+ 2.Kf2 Rxh2+ 3.Kf1 Qg1#. The king was trapped on the back rank behind its own pawns. Mate in 3.
White to move: remove the defender and win. 1.Qxg4 d6 2.Qxf4 dxe5 3.Qxe5+. Taking the knight on g4 removed the defender of e5. You win the knight on g4 and come out 4 points ahead.
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