Expert roadmap0%

Core SkillsChapter 7 · Board vision

See every threat.
Protect the king first.

Expert play begins with not giving the game away in one move.

ConceptUnderstand before you move

Before calculating your own plan, scan checks against both kings, loose and overloaded pieces, undefended back ranks, and every newly opened line.

  • After every move, ask: am I in check, what is attacked, and what became undefended?
  • Count attackers and defenders on the destination square.
  • Scan the entire board—long-range bishops, rooks, and queens create threats from far away.
Last moveNf6g8 → f6White to move
FEN & PGNTap any move above for its position+
FEN · current
r1bqkb1r/pppp1ppp/2n2n2/4p2Q/2B1P3/8/PPPP1PPP/RNB1K1NR w KQkq - 4 4
PGN · through this move
1. e4 e5 2. Qh5 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6
♘
Your move

Black ignored the threat. Find the checkmate.