B&V quick reference

Before every move

Use the three questions in their fixed order. Click each number as you run the scan, then reset for the next move.

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Brecks & Valleys Chess Club · pre-move reference

The pre-move blunder-check card

4 seconds · every move

What did they just threaten?Their last move changed something. Find the new attack, open line, added defender or removed escape square before planning your own move.

Is my piece defended after this move?Picture the landing square. Who protects the piece there, and what has changed after any exchange?

What checks, captures and threats follow?Visualise your candidate move, then examine the opponent’s forcing replies and any newly opened lines.

Visualise the candidate moveSee the board as if your move were already played. Run a pre-move blunder check for checks, captures and threats against you, including newly opened lines. Then move.

Five common causes of material loss

Undefended pieceA piece moved to a square where no friendly piece protects it. An undefended piece is a potential tactical target.

Automatic captureApparently safe material has not been verified. Calculate the complete exchange before capturing.

Discovered attackYour own move opens a line. Glance behind every piece you plan to move.

Moving a pinned pieceA pinned piece has restricted mobility. Check what it may legally move to and which squares it still attacks.

Overloaded defenderOne piece has two essential defensive duties and may be unable to meet both threats.

Four seconds. Every move. No exceptions.

Apply the check to a board

See the danger before you calculate

Use these positions to practise identifying an undefended piece, a pin and a forcing fork. Reveal the explanation only after completing the three-question check.

Visual chess lesson

Undefended-pieces scan

White to move

White to move. How can White exploit the undefended bishop on c5?

c5: Undefended bishopd5: Fork square1.Qd5+2.Qxc5

Reveal the explanation

The bishop on c5 has no defender. White first plays 1.Qd5+, forking the king and bishop. After 1...Kh8, 2.Qxc5 wins the bishop. Recognition identifies the target; calculation verifies how to exploit it.

Verified line: Qd5+ Kh8 Qxc5

The bishop is genuinely undefended and White can exploit it with a verified queen fork.Position: 6k1/8/8/2b5/8/8/8/3Q3K w - - 0 1

Visual chess lesson

Absolute pin

White to move

Why can the knight on f7 not legally leave the bishop’s diagonal?

f7: Pinned knightg8: King behind the pinBishop’s line

Reveal the explanation

The knight stands between the bishop on b3 and its own king on g8. Moving it would expose the king to check, so the knight is absolutely pinned.

The b3–g8 diagonal shows an absolute pin against the king.Position: 6k1/5n2/8/8/8/1B6/8/6K1 w - - 0 1

Visual chess lesson

Royal fork

White to move

White to move. Find a forcing move that attacks two major targets.

e7: Fork squareg8: Kingc8: Queen1.Ne7+

Reveal the explanation

1.Ne7+ forks the king on g8 and queen on c8. Because the move gives check, Black must answer the check before saving the queen.

Verified line: Ne7+

The safe landing square e7 creates a royal fork.Position: 2q3k1/8/8/5N2/8/8/8/6K1 w - - 0 1