Tactical motifs
Hanging piece
An enemy piece is undefended — simply take it.
What is the hanging piece?
A hanging piece is one that is undefended, or defended too few times for what is attacking it. The tactic could not be simpler: you capture it and win material for nothing.
Why the hanging piece matters
It sounds beneath mention, yet "is anything hanging?" is the single most valuable question in chess, and forgetting to ask it costs more rating points than any deep combination ever wins back. Half of all blunders are just a piece left en prise.
How to use it to win
On every move, scan both your pieces and your opponent's for anything undefended or under-defended. Before you play, do a one-second check: what does my move leave hanging, and what did my opponent just leave loose?
Try an example puzzle
A real hanging piece puzzle from the app. White to move — find the idea, then reveal the line.
8 
7 
6 
3 
a f 
g Show solution
1. Rxf8#
Drill the hanging piece on thousands of real puzzles, matched to your rating.