Decide
Step 1 · Three ways to block
White to move
rnbqk1nr/pppp1ppp/4p3/8/1bPP4/8/PP2PPPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 1 3Black checks on move two. Three pieces can block on d2.
Which block develops a piece and also challenges the checking bishop?
Quick check
- Bishop to d2
- Knight to c3
- Queen to d2
Show the correct answer
Correct answer: Bishop to d2 — 3.Bd2. The bishop comes out, blocks, and offers to trade off the checking bishop. The check cost you nothing.
- Knight to c3 — 3.Nc3 blocks and develops, and it is playable. But it does not challenge the bishop, and Black can take on c3 and double your pawns. Bd2 does both jobs at once.
- Queen to d2 — 3.Qd2?? The bishop simply takes your queen: …Bxd2+. A block must be a piece you can afford to lose.
Watch
Step 2 · A check is a demand
White to move
rnb1kbnr/ppp1pppp/8/3q4/8/8/PPPP1PPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 33.Nc3 develops with a threat on the queen, and Black answers with a check: …Qe5+. A check is a demand for exactly one move, nothing more. The right answer costs you nothing and often gains something.
The line: 3.Nb1-c3 Qd5-e5
Your move
Step 3 · Answer it
White to move
rnb1kbnr/ppp1pppp/8/4q3/8/2N5/PPPP1PPP/R1BQKBNR w KQkq - 2 4Your king is in check along the e-file. Block or move, but make the move count.
Hint: Block or move, but block with a piece that wants to come out anyway.
The move: 4.Bf1-e2
4.Be2. The check is answered by a developing move, and your knight on g1 can follow. Black’s queen has moved twice; you have two pieces out.
Why not another move?
4.Qd1-e2— Blocking with the queen offers a trade: …Qxe2+ Bxe2 and the tempo you gained is gone.4.Nc3-e2— The knight goes back to e2: you undo your own development to answer a check.4.Nc3-e4— The knight on e4 is loose: …Qxe4+ takes it, with check. What follows:4…Qe5xe44.Ng1-e2— Playable, but the knight on e2 blocks your own bishop; Be2 develops and keeps the knight for f3.
Watch
Step 4 · The count
Black to move
rnb1kbnr/ppp1pppp/8/4q3/8/2N5/PPPPBPPP/R1BQK1NR b KQkq - 3 4Black develops the knight. Look at the count: after one check, White has two pieces out and Black’s queen has spent two moves. Answering a check with development is how you win the opening race.
The reply: 4…Ng8-f6
Decide
Step 5 · Spot the losing block
White to move
rnbqk1nr/ppp2ppp/4p3/3p4/1bPP4/5N2/PP2PPPP/RNBQKB1R w KQkq - 2 4Another check on b4. Five blocks are legal.
One of these answers loses the queen. Which?
Quick check
- Queen to d2
- Knight to c3
- Bishop to d2
Show the correct answer
Correct answer: Queen to d2 — Yes: after 4.Qd2 the bishop takes the queen, …Bxd2+. Blocking with the most valuable piece is only safe when the attacker cannot take it.
- Knight to c3 — 4.Nc3 is fine: it blocks and develops. Black may take on c3, a fair trade of bishop for knight.
- Bishop to d2 — 4.Bd2 is fine: it blocks, develops and offers a trade. Nbd2 is good too.
Your move
Step 6 · Now play it
White to move
rnbqk1nr/ppp2ppp/4p3/3p4/1bPP4/5N2/PP2PPPP/RNBQKB1R w KQkq - 2 4Same check. Block with a piece that wants to develop anyway.
Hint: Block with a piece that wants to develop anyway.
The move: 4.Nb1-d2
4.Nbd2. The knight blocks and develops, and after …dxc4 the bishop can take back later. The check bought Black nothing.
Also good here
4.Bc1-d2— Also good: the bishop blocks, develops and offers the trade.4.Nb1-c3— Also good: develops and blocks; Black may take on c3, a fair trade.
Why not another move?
4.Nf3-d2— The developed knight goes back to d2 and shuts in your bishop.4.Qd1-d2— …Bxd2+ takes your queen. What follows:4…Bb4xd2
On your own
Step 7 · On your own
White to move
r1b1kbnr/pppp1ppp/2n5/4P3/1q3B2/5N2/PPP1PPPP/RN1QKB1R w KQkq - 5 5Black’s queen checks you and eyes your bishop on f4 at the same time. Find the one answer that solves both.
Hint: Every block that leaves the f4 bishop hanging loses it: …Qxf4. One block also attacks the queen.
The move: 5.Bf4-d2
5.Bd2. The bishop blocks, is defended, and attacks the queen: Black must move it again. Your loose bishop is safe and you gained a move.
Why not another move?
5.Nb1-c3— …Qxf4 takes your bishop. You get some play with Nd5, but why give a piece? Bd2 blocks and hits the queen. What follows:5…Qb4xf45.Nb1-d2— …Qxf4 wins the bishop. What follows:5…Qb4xf45.c2-c3— The queen is attacked, but it simply takes your bishop: …Qxf4. What follows:5…Qb4xf45.Nf3-d2— …Qxf4 wins the bishop, and the knight went backwards. What follows:5…Qb4xf45.Qd1-d2— …Qxb2 grabs the b-pawn and attacks the rook on a1, and White cannot save it without giving up the queen. What follows:5…Qb4xb2
A quick refresher
In the app this position is not part of the lesson itself: it comes back later, as a review, to check that the idea stuck.
Your move
The Italian check
White to move
r1bqk2r/pppp1ppp/2n2n2/8/1bBPP3/5N2/PP3PPP/RNBQK2R w KQkq - 1 7The centre has just opened and Black checks. Answer it without giving up castling.
Hint: Block the check with a piece that develops; the king should not move.
The move: 7.Bc1-d2
7.Bd2. Answered with a developing move; after …Bxd2+ Nbxd2 White keeps a full centre and the right to castle.
Also good here
7.Nb1-d2— Also good: the knight blocks, and after …Nxe4 White regains the pawn with d5 and Nxd2.
Why not another move?
7.Nb1-c3— The gambit way: 7.Nc3 Nxe4 gives a pawn for play. Sharp, and a different lesson.7.Ke1-f1— Playable, but the king steps aside: castling is gone for the game and the h1 rook is shut in.7.Ke1-e2— The king walks into the centre with the e-file about to open.7.Qd1-d2— …Bxd2+ takes the queen. What follows:7…Bb4xd2
What you learned
When checked, compare your blocks and king moves. Prefer the block that develops; never block with a piece the attacker can take for free.
In your next game
When your king is checked, look first for a block that brings a new piece out or attacks the checker. Then check that the blocking piece is defended. Move the king only when nothing better exists.