A hanging piece is a piece that can be taken for free, because nothing defends it. Taking hanging pieces, and not leaving your own, wins more beginners' games than anything else.
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Start0/3
Before any clever idea, check what is loose. A free piece is the biggest advantage most games ever give you.
How to do it
- 1Before each move, look at every enemy piece and ask what defends it.
- 2If a piece is undefended and you attack it, take it.
- 3Then check your own pieces the same way.
For your level
Is a piece all alone? Can you take it? Then take it.
Common mistakes
- Moving a piece and leaving another piece undefended behind it.
- Missing a free piece because you were looking for a bigger plan.
Questions
- How do I stop hanging pieces?
- Before every move, look at what your move leaves undefended and what your opponent's last move attacked. Saying it out loud helps at first. Most hanging pieces are left by the move just played.