Defend piece and avoid fork
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In this level, your opponent is attacking one of your pieces. You have to defend against the threat, and avoid a fork.
See the course introduction for an explanation on how to defend against threats and avoid tactics for your opponent.
Examples
White just played Nd4, attacking the rook on c2.
The rook has two safe squares on c4 and c5.
If 1...Rc5?, White can win the exchange with the fork 2.Ne6.
1...Rc4 is the only good defence.
Black just played Nb4, attacking the queen on c6, and also threatening a fork with Nc2+.
The queen has two safe squares on f3 and a4.
1.Qa4 is the only good defence, because it protects against the fork.