Chess Tactical Motifs - Removal of the Guard
The Removal of the Guard tactic occurs commonly in beginner and novice games. It involves attacking or capturing a critical defending piece. This tactic can get quite complicated, but we'll stick to basic examples.
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Consider the diagram to the right. White is attacking the black Rook, which is protected by the d5 Bishop. If white plays 1. Rxf3, black recaptures with 1... Bxf3 - an even trade.
White has a better move. She can utilize the removal of the guard tactic by playing 1. Rxd5+ ! After the recapture 1... cxd5, the black Rook is now undefended! White can play 2. Rxf3. This sequence wins a Bishop + Rook for a Rook.
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In this example, white wants to take advantage of black's weak back rank with Rd8 mate. But d8 is protected by both a Knight and Rook. How can white remove both guards?
Qxb8+ ! Now black must play 1... Nxb8 (the alternative 1... Nd8 is no better). Both defenders have been removed, and white ends the game with 2. Rd8# - mate.
This example makes use of a Back Rank Mating Combination. We'll take a look at back rank mates in more detail shortly.
You'll have a chance to work on some removal of the guard exercises on the next page.