Trap It and Win It

Trap It and Win It...by, Mrs Jessica E Prescott (aka BoundingOwl)

 Halloo!  So you know what a hanging piece is, right?  Well today we are going to look for pieces that are either hanging or loose or simply trapped!  ("Loose" means only guarded once or guarded poorly.)  This is the first step to any tactic!  Find the loose teeth.

 

 In this first example, you might notice one of black's pieces is all alone, hanging, and in enemy territory.  Even though it might look like black is up a pawn, which piece is off-sides?

 

The bishop!  In fact, he can't go anywhere without being captured.  All you have to do is attack him.  In the endgame, the king becomes a powerful piece.

1.  Now you try it!  Which piece is already trapped by its own army?  Now how do you want to attack it?  (With a lesser-value piece of course!)

2.  White to move.  Black's piece is hanging and trapped.

 

 

3.  Another endgame!  White to move; you know what to do.

4.  One of black's pieces is trapped.  White to move.

5.  Trapped again!  White's turn.

Excellent job winning material today!  Watch this great video on the RAINBOW GAME where all sorts of pieces get trapped!  

Tip of the week:  If you're not sure what to do, get your pieces to better squares and always look for loose pieces.