Protected (chess) - definition and usage
Protected
Definition
In chess, “protected” means defended or covered by one or more friendly pieces. A protected piece or square can be safely occupied because, if it is attacked or captured, a recapture or counter-threat is available. The opposite terms are “unprotected,” “loose,” or “hanging.”
- Protected piece: e.g., a knight on e5 guarded by a pawn on f4.
- Protected square: a square you control (often multiple times), making it a safe outpost or a strong target for occupation.
- Protected check: a checking move in which the checking piece is defended, making it harder to refute.
- Protected passed pawn: a passed pawn that is supported by a pawn of the same color from an adjacent file.
Usage in play and commentary
Players and commentators use “protected” to describe the safety of pieces and squares and to evaluate exchanges and tactics.
- “The bishop on g5 is protected by the knight on f3.”
- “White’s knight sits on a protected outpost on d6.”
- “Black’s protected passed pawn on d4 ties down White’s forces.”
- “Qxf7# is a protected mate; the queen is guarded by the bishop.”
Strategic significance
- Safety and calculation: Protected pieces are less vulnerable to tactics. Keeping pieces mutually protected reduces blunders.
- Outposts: A minor piece on an outpost that is protected by a pawn (e.g., a knight on d6 supported by c5) can be a long-term positional asset.
- Protected passed pawns: In endgames, a protected passer is especially dangerous, because the guarding pawn escorts it forward and the opponent cannot easily blockade without concessions.
- Attack: Protected checks and protected sacrifices are more likely to work; the defender cannot simply take the checking piece and end the attack.
- Defense: Overprotection (guarding a key point multiple times) is a classic idea advocated by Overprotection to reinforce a strategic asset and free pieces for other duties.
Examples
1) Protected checkmate (Scholar’s Mate motif). The queen delivers mate on f7, protected by the bishop on c4:
Moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nc6 3. Qh5 Nf6?? 4. Qxf7# — the queen on f7 is protected by the bishop.
Interactive diagram:
2) Protected passed pawn. White to move; the pawn on d5 is a protected passer, guarded by the pawn on e4. Such pawns often decide endgames:
Position (White: Kf3, pawns d5 and e4; Black: Kf6, pawns a7 and h7):
- Idea: White improves the king, advances e4–e5 to drive the black king back, and then pushes the protected passer (d5–d6–d7).
3) Protected outpost. Imagine a white knight on d6 guarded by a pawn on c5. Even if Black can attack the knight with pieces, exchanging it often concedes a strong passed pawn after cxd6. That protection underpins the entire positional plan.
Tactical notes and pitfalls
- Illusory protection: A piece may be “protected,” but the defender can be pinned, overloaded, or deflected. Always check whether the supposed protection really works tactically.
- LPDO principle: “Loose Pieces Drop Off” (attributed to John Nunn). Unprotected pieces are tactical targets; conversely, keeping pieces protected prevents many forks, pins, and skewers.
- Protected checks > unprotected checks: A protected checking move is far stronger; the defender often cannot simply take the checking piece.
- Exchange math: Before capturing a protected piece, count attackers and defenders and consider intermediate moves (zwischenzug) that can change the balance.
Historical and theoretical notes
- Siegbert Tarrasch famously wrote, “The passed pawn is a criminal,” highlighting why protected passed pawns must be restrained early.
- Aron Nimzowitsch emphasized blockading and overprotection: secure your key points not just once, but multiple times, so that defenders are not overworked.
- Modern engines and evaluation functions award bonuses for protected passed pawns and well-protected central squares, reflecting their practical value.