defence · recognise → explain → apply

Give a rook to remove the attack’s central support

An enemy knight supports the attack and its removal can force queen exchanges.

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

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Karjakin,Sergey – Radjabov,T

2nd FIDE GP · 2008.08.14 · 0-1

20... Rxc3 · White to move

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What to notice at 20... Rxc3

The exchange sacrifice leads to the queen trade shown above. Black eventually wins with active minor pieces and passed pawns.

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 follows ...Rxc3 in the recorded game?

Explain it in your own words before revealing.

Make it memorable

Change the problem, not just the defender.

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

Exeter Chess Club — Exchanging to Win ↗