Trapped pieces

in chess •  3 years ago 

Even though there are 64 squares and only 32 pieces, those squares can run out and your pieces can be left out without legal moves and getting trapped. It is a frustrating situation when you can't save a piece from being taken because you didn't foresee it would get trapped a few moves before.

Sometimes, even with a pawn move, you can take away your opponent's safe squares. Even queens are vulnerable to be trapped because any trade for a lesser piece is dangerous.

The Queen is such a powerful piece and it controls so many squares, it is hard to believe it can be trapped, but with the correct tactics and a positive position, every piece is trappable.


In this position everything seems fine, but a very common trapping scheme is possible, try to spot it.

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The King castles king side, and then a trap is unavoidable.

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White advances the pawn, forcing the knight to retreat to the only available square for it, and then...

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A simple pawn advance traps the bishop, a bishop that was out of danger two moves ago is now under threat and will be taken on the next turn.

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