Chapter 6: Tactics · Level 37 of 50

Level 37: Overloaded Defenders

Goal: One black piece guards two things — pull it away from one job (deflection) and win the other. 4 puzzles · ★★★ = no mistakes.

▶ Watch how it works

The black queen has two jobs: she guards the knight AND the bishop. She is overloaded.

Got it? Try the puzzles ↓

Puzzle 1 of 4

The knight on d7 guards both bishops. Take one bishop — the other falls next.

Your move

💡 Need a hint?

Look for a black piece that protects two pieces (or a piece and the back row). Take one of the things it guards: if it takes back, the other one is left without a guard.

What you learn here

A defender that has two jobs is overloaded. Capture one of the pieces it guards: when it recaptures, it is deflected — pulled away — from its other job, and you win the second piece (or even give checkmate).

Chapter 6 — Tactics: Win material with the tricks strong players use: pins, skewers, double attacks, discovered attacks, removing the defender and overloaded defenders.

Chapter 6 levels