defence · recognise → explain → apply

Trade a dangerous bishop even at structural cost

An active bishop dominates a diagonal, and removing it leaves doubled pawns or a weakened file.

Explanation styleChoose any style. Age is not playing strength; no birth date is needed.

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Choose an example

Nakamura,Hi – Giri,A

9th Masters Final 2016 · 2016.07.16 · 1/2-1/2

18... gxf6 · White to move

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What to notice at 18... gxf6

Black accepts the structural change, remains active and ultimately obtains a draw by queen checks.

A legally replayed historical example, not a claim that every move is best. A game’s result does not prove every defensive position was lost or drawn.

Game source ↗

Your thinking first

Name the signal, choose a plan, and test the opponent’s most challenging response.

What do you notice?What is your plan, and why?How could the opponent resist?

Recall and explain

1. What does ...gxf6 change after Bxf6?

Explain it in your own words before revealing.

Make it memorable

A scar may cost less than the attack.

Teach this to a friend in one minute. Then return to a different example and look for the same signal without being told its name.

Reflect and revisit

This is your self-assessment, not an engine grade or a promise of mastery.

Connect the ideas

Practise pawn transformations →

Sources and further reading

Original LumaChess teaching and game analysis. Topic references are credited below; no affiliation or endorsement is implied.

Exeter Chess Club — Weak pawns ↗