Saving defence is lesson 6 of 9 in Real-game tactics 8: Deep combinations, a tactics course suited to players rated around 2000 (strong 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. (3 positions)
White to move: hold the draw. (4 positions)
Worked examples
Black to move: hold the draw. 1...Qa5 2.Bxf6 Bxf6. Qa5 was the only move that holds. The game is saved. After b5 the position would be lost.
Black to move: hold the draw. 1...Qc2 2.Qe8+ Kg7. Qc2 was the only move that holds. The game is saved. After Re2 the position would be lost.
chessGM