Interference (chess)

Example of interference

	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h
8									8
7									7
6									6
5									5
4									4
3									3
2									2
1									1
	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

In the Blackmar–Diemer Gambit, Vienna Defence after 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 Bf5 5.g4 Bd7 6.g5 Nh5 7.f4 g6 8.Be2 Bf5 9.Bxh5 gxh5 10.Qxh5 Qxd4 11.Nge2 Qd7 12.Be3 Bg6 13.Qh4 Nc6 14.Rd1 Qf5 15.Ng3 Qa5 16.0-0 Qb4 17.Nd5 Qa5, the interference move 19.Bb6 simultaneously threatens 20.Nxc7# and 20.Bxa5, winning Black's queen.^[1]

In the game of chess, interference occurs when the line between an attacked piece and its defender is interrupted by sacrificially interposing a piece. It is a chess tactic which seldom arises, and is therefore often overlooked. Opportunities for interference are rare because the defended object must be more valuable than the sacrificed piece, and the interposition must itself present a threat. Huczek defines interference as a tactic involving blocking moves that obstruct lines of attack.^[2] This definition may be expanded by including blocking moves that disrupt lines of defense.^[3]

This article uses algebraic notation to describe chess moves.

^ "My Best Move". Chess Life (May): 1–72. 2020.
^ George Huczek (2017). A to Z Chess Tactics. Batsford. pp. 001–349. ISBN 978-1-8499-4446-5.
^ Interference definitions and examples

[1] "My Best Move". Chess Life (May): 1–72. 2020.

[2] George Huczek (2017). A to Z Chess Tactics. Batsford. pp. 001–349. ISBN 978-1-8499-4446-5.

[3] Interference definitions and examples

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