Saving defence is lesson 7 of 9 in Real-game tactics 6: Combinations and quiet moves, a tactics course suited to players rated around 1600 (club players). Sometimes the best result is a draw. Find the only move that holds; the natural moves lose. 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: hold the draw. (5 positions)
White to move: hold the draw. (2 positions)
Worked examples
Black to move: hold the draw. 1...Qxc2 2.Qd1 Qxd1+ 3.Kxd1 Nxf2+ 4.Ke1 Nxh1. Qxc2 was the only move that holds. The game is saved. After e5 the position would be lost.
White to move: hold the draw. 1.Re7+ Bxe7 2.Qxe7+. Re7+ was the only move that holds. The game is saved. After Qe5+ the position would be lost.
More in Real-game tactics 6: Combinations and quiet moves
chessGM