A situation where a piece is left exposed to capture without compensation, often a blunder in a chess game.
Introduction
In chess, En Prise is a French term meaning « in take » or « at risk of capture. » A piece is en prise when it is undefended and can be captured by an opponent for free or with a favorable exchange. Recognizing when your pieces are en prise and when your opponent’s pieces are left unprotected is a fundamental tactical skill.
What makes a piece en prise? How can you take advantage of your opponent’s mistakes? And how do you avoid leaving your own pieces hanging? This article explores the concept of en prise, examples, and ways to improve your awareness of threats in chess.
1. What Is En Prise?
A piece is en prise when:
✔ It is undefended and can be captured on the next move.
✔ Its capture does not result in an equal or better trade for the player losing the piece.
✅ Example:
- White plays Bb5, attacking Black’s knight on c6.
- Black does not move or protect the knight.
- White plays Bxc6, winning a free knight.
- The knight was en prise because it was left unprotected and available for capture.
2. En Prise vs. Hanging Pieces
- En Prise → A piece that is undefended and can be captured immediately.
- Hanging Piece → A broader term for a piece left unprotected, which may or may not be in immediate danger.
✅ Example:
- A knight on f3 that is undefended but not immediately attacked is a hanging piece.
- A knight on f3 that an opponent’s bishop attacks and can capture next move for free is en prise.
3. How to Avoid Leaving Pieces En Prise
3.1 Always Check for Hanging Pieces
- Before making a move, ask: « Am I leaving anything unprotected? »
- Scan the board for undefended pieces before ending your turn.
3.2 Improve Board Awareness
- Many beginner blunders occur when players focus only on their own plans and forget to check for enemy threats.
- Always double-check before making a move, ensuring that no piece is en prise.
3.3 Connect Your Pieces
- Ensure that your pieces protect each other to avoid easy captures.
- Knights and bishops are especially vulnerable if they are placed far from the rest of your army.
3.4 Use the Touch-Move Rule to Your Advantage
- If playing over-the-board chess, physically pointing at or hovering over a piece before moving can help double-check for mistakes.
- This habit helps in spotting en prise blunders before committing to a move.
4. How to Take Advantage of an Opponent’s En Prise Piece
✔ Always look for undefended pieces → If your opponent leaves a piece en prise, capturing it can win material instantly.
✔ Be aware of traps → Sometimes, an en prise piece is a bait for a tactical trick (e.g., a pin, discovered attack, or skewer).
✔ Calculate the consequences → If capturing an en prise piece, check whether your opponent has a hidden counterattack.
✅ Example:
- White plays Qb3, attacking Black’s b7 pawn which is en prise.
- If Black ignores this, White plays Qxb7, capturing a free pawn and attacking the rook.
5. Common Mistakes Involving En Prise Pieces
❌ Ignoring an En Prise Piece
- Many players fail to notice when their pieces are attacked and left undefended.
- Always check whether an opponent threatens an immediate capture before moving.
❌ Capturing an En Prise Piece Without Checking for Traps
- Sometimes, an en prise piece is part of a tactical trick (e.g., a poisoned pawn or a discovered attack).
- Always check what happens after you take an en prise piece.
❌ Moving a Piece to an En Prise Square
- Be careful not to place a piece where your opponent can capture it for free.
- Example: Playing Bb5, pinning a knight, but forgetting that Black can play a6 and trap the bishop.
6. Famous Games Featuring En Prise Mistakes
6.1 Kramnik vs. Fritz (2006) – The Blunder of the Century
- Vladimir Kramnik, a former World Champion, missed a one-move en prise blunder.
- He played Qe3??, allowing the computer to play Qh3#, delivering checkmate instantly.
6.2 Magnus Carlsen vs. Anand (2014) – Tactical En Prise
- Anand left a piece en prise, but Carlsen delayed capturing it to set up a stronger attack.
- This shows that capturing immediately isn’t always best—sometimes it’s better to improve your position first.
7. How to Train to Avoid En Prise Mistakes
✔ Solve Tactics Puzzles → Many puzzles involve spotting en prise pieces.
✔ Analyze Your Games → Check where you left pieces undefended or missed free captures.
✔ Use a Blunder Check Routine → Before moving, scan for en prise pieces on both sides.
✔ Practice Playing Slowly → Rushing moves increases the chances of missing en prise threats.
8. Conclusion
Understanding en prise is essential for avoiding blunders and capitalizing on your opponent’s mistakes. Whether defending your own pieces or spotting unprotected enemy pieces, recognizing en prise situations will make you a stronger tactical player.
✔ Always check if a piece is en prise before moving.
✔ Look for unprotected opponent pieces that you can capture.
✔ Be aware of tactical traps when capturing an en prise piece.
✔ Analyze your games to eliminate blunders and improve board awareness.
By mastering en prise awareness, you will reduce mistakes, increase tactical sharpness, and win more games!
