In this series we will cover how a player creates a check against their opponent's King, and the various methods and maneuvers players use to escape these checks.
After covering check, the follow up series will discuss how White could actually create a checkmate from the position shown below!
If a player moves a troop into square where the troop can see the enemy King, the player has created a check against their opponent's King.
Here white plays Queen to g5 to create check on the Black King.
First, a player can perform a DODGE maneuver with their King. To perform a DODGE maneuever the King will move into a safe FLEE square that is NOT seen by an enemy troop.
Here the Black King will DODGE into g6, however the White Queen can still has Black's King so Black has not escaped check. This would be an illegal move!
If the Black King attempts another Dodge in h5 this will be an illegal move as well for this square is also seen by White's Queen.
Remember, a King can NEVER step into a square seen by an enemy piece!
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White Currently has a Battering Ram with the Queen and Rook. A Battering Ram is created when 2 pieces are attacking along the same Rank, File or Diagonal. Here the Rook and Rook are attacking along the 5th rank.
As the Queen moves along this rank she will be continually seen (and perhaps protected!) by the White Rook on b5.
Squares that are within a rank, file or diagonal of a Battering Ram can often become Double Danger Zones.
A Double Danger Zone is a square within the King's Throne where their opponent can move a piece that CANNOT be Apprehended by the King for the attacking piece is supported by an allied piece.
Here the Queen can move into g5 and will be seen by the Rook on b5.
Because the Queen is moving into a Double Danger Zone square she CANNOT be captured by Black's King for Kxg5 is an illegal move - Black's King will be seen by White's Rook.
Don't forget - a King can never expose himself to an enemy and thus will never move into check!
Luckily for Black this Queen move is NOT checkmate. Remember, a player can escape a check using a Dodge, Apprehend or Disrupt manuever whereas a checkmate cannot be escaped.
In this position Black can apprehend White's Queen playing Qxg5 stopping the check against their King. This is the ONLY way Black can stop the check on their King!
This sequence shows White creating check with Qg5+. Black will respond with Qxg5 to stop the check.
Knowing all the options Black has to escape check White should have realized playing Qg5 is a what is known as a blunder - a chess mistake.
The reason this move is a blunder is 2 fold. First, White will ultimately be trading their Queen and Rook for Black's Queen - not a good trade.
The biggest reason this move for White is a major blunder is White missed a checkmating move! Don't worry - you'll see this sequence soon.
Although White traded a Rook and a Queen for a Queen, not all hope is lost! White can still end up with a material advantage - i.e. White can capture a Black piece and continue the game with an advantage. Can you spot the correct move for White in this position?
Click the image to see how White can win material!
Because Black cannot Apprehend or capture White's Bishop after Bxd3 White will have a material advantage for the remainder of the game - unless of course White makes another blunder.
So as mentioned above, White's Qg5 move is a blunder for White. Although they can still manage to win the game with the material advantage, there was a better move for white. Click the Next button below to learn about White's best move!
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