What is Hanging piece in chess?
An undefended piece that can be captured for free.
Hanging pieces cause more decisive mistakes in beginner chess than any other single factor. Before every move, check whether you left a piece undefended and whether your opponent just left one.
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Analyze my games →More chess terms
- En priseA French phrase meaning a piece is in a position to be captured.
- 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.