Saving defence is lesson 4 of 7 in Real-game tactics 5: Attacking the king, a tactics course suited to players rated around 1400 (club players). Sometimes the best result is a draw. Find the only move that holds; the natural moves lose. It has 6 interactive exercises: 6 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: hold the draw. (4 positions)
White to move: hold the draw. (2 positions)
Worked examples
Black to move: hold the draw. 1...Qh4+ 2.Kg1 Rxe4 3.Rxe4 Qxe4. Qh4+ was the only move that holds. The game is saved. After Qf4+ the position would be lost.
Black to move: hold the draw. 1...Qg2+ 2.Kh4 g5+ 3.Kh5 Qxh3+. Qg2+ was the only move that holds. The game is saved. After Qe4+ the position would be lost.
chessGM