SevenPieces
Is My Piece Safe? Quick-Fire Chess Tactics Trainer
Safe? is the fastest way to build a feel for loose pieces. One of your pieces is marked: is it safe from your opponent’s next move, or hanging?
Play today’s Safe?How to play Safe?
- You see a position from a real game with one of your pieces marked. It’s your opponent’s move.
- Tap Safe if they can’t win it, or Hanging if they can.
- Each call is explained: you see what attacks the piece and what defends it.
- There are nine quick calls, three at each level from easy to hard. Most right wins; ties go to the faster time.
Tips
- Start with the cheapest attacker. If a pawn or minor piece attacks a more valuable piece, it’s hanging even if it’s defended.
- Then count: more attackers than defenders usually means the piece can be won.
- A piece that nobody attacks is safe, however lonely it looks. Check for long-range attacks from bishops, rooks and queens across the board.
- In the later calls, look for pinned defenders and pieces lined up behind each other (x-rays), which change the count.
- Go with your first careful count. Speed matters for ties, but a wrong call costs a whole point.
Questions
Is it free? Do I need an account?
Yes, it’s free, and you can play today’s puzzles as a guest straight away. Signing in (also free) saves your scores, puts you on the leaderboards and unlocks unlimited practice.
Is it the same puzzle for everyone, and when is there a new one?
Everyone gets the same positions each day, so you can compare scores with friends. New puzzles arrive at midnight your time.
How is it scored?
One point for each right call out of nine. Players with the same score are ranked by time.
What does “hanging” mean in chess?
A piece is hanging when your opponent can take it and come out ahead: it isn’t defended, it’s attacked by something cheaper, or more pieces attack it than defend it.
More from SevenPieces: Hanging · Blunder · Free
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