Spotting free pieces in chess
Most beginner games are won by grabbing pieces that aren’t protected. Learn to check what is defended before you capture. Winning material · lesson 1 of 3.
The lesson in words
A piece is hanging (or “free”) when you can capture it and nothing can capture back.
Here White can take two pieces, but only one of them is free.
The knight on f6 is protected by the pawn on g7. The bishop on b4 isn’t protected by anything.
Try it: Take the free piece.
Before every move ask: what does my opponent attack, and what can I take for free?
Questions
Which question catches the most mistakes?
Always look at your opponent’s last move and ask what it threatens. It stops you leaving pieces hanging.