What is Prophylaxis in chess?
A preventive move that stops the opponent's plan before it begins.
Prophylactic thinking asks 'what is my opponent planning?' before deciding on your own move. Playing a move that prevents the opponent's idea - even if you have no direct threat - is often the strongest approach.
Spot prophylaxis in your own games
Free. Chess2EZ finds the patterns you keep missing and explains each in plain English.
Analyze my games →More chess terms
- FianchettoDeveloping a bishop to the long diagonal from b2, g2, b7, or g7.
- Bishop pairHaving both bishops while the opponent has lost one or both of theirs.
- Good bishopA bishop whose diagonals are not blocked by its own pawns.
- Bad bishopA bishop blocked by its own pawns on the same colour, severely limiting its usefulness.
- Opposite-coloured bishopsWhen both sides have one bishop each, but they travel on different coloured squares.
- OverprotectionDefending a key piece or square with more defenders than it needs, to prevent any tactics.