What is En prise in chess?
A French phrase meaning a piece is in a position to be captured.
Saying a piece is 'en prise' is just a formal way of saying it is hanging - it is undefended and can be taken for free. The term is used in annotation to flag that a piece is in immediate danger.
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Analyze my games →More chess terms
- Smothered mateCheckmate by a knight when the king is boxed in by its own pieces.
- DevelopmentBringing your knights and bishops off the back rank into the game.
- TempoA single move counted as a unit of time.
- InitiativeBeing the side making threats and dictating play.
- OutpostA square (often supported by a pawn) that an enemy pawn can never attack.
- Weak squareA square that cannot be defended by a friendly pawn, making it vulnerable to enemy occupation.