Defend piece and avoid trap

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Defend your piece and don't get it trapped

In this level, your opponent is attacking one of your pieces. You have to defend against the threat, and avoid getting a piece trapped.

See the course introduction for an explanation on how to defend against threats and avoid tactics for your opponent.

Examples

White is attacking the knight on d4.
The knight has two safe squares on f5 and b5.
If 1...Nb5?, the knight can be trapped with 2.a4.
1...Nf5 is the only good move.
Note that if White attacks the knight on f5 with 2.g4, the knight can retreat to the safe square e7 (or h6).

White just played Rb1, attacking the queen on b2.
The queen has two safe squares on c2 and a3.
1...Qc2? would allow 2.Bb3, trapping the queen.
1...Qa3 is the only good move.

White just played g3, attacking the queen on h4.
Black could run to the safe square h6, or capture the pawn with fxg3.
1...fxg3? would allow 2.hxg3, and the queen would be trapped by the rook on h1.
1.Qh6 is the only good defence.

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