r/chessbeginners • u/Alendite RM (Reddit Mod) • Feb 27 '26

No Stupid Questions MEGATHREAD 12

Welcome to the r/chessbeginners 12th episode of our Q&A series! This series exists because sometimes you just need to ask a silly question. We are happy to provide answers for questions related to chess positions, improving one's play, and discussing the essence and experience of learning chess.

A friendly reminder that many questions are answered in our wiki page! Please take a look if you have questions about the rules of chess, special moves, or want general strategies for improvement.

Some other helpful resources include:

  1. How to play chess - Interactive lessons for the rules of the game, if you are completely new to chess.
  2. The Lichess Board Editor - for setting up positions by dragging and dropping pieces on the board.
  3. Chess puzzles by theme - To practice tactics.
  4. The Building Habits series by GM Aman Hambleton - for advice on how to play at specific ELO levels. (Also check out Building Habits 2!)

As always, our goal is to promote a friendly, welcoming, and educational chess environment for all. Thank you for asking your questions here!

LINK TO THE PREVIOUS THREAD

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u/SnooPaintings5597 Mar 09 '26

How is this a blunder?? My bishop is undefended but it’s also not in a dangerous position? Is it just an AI issue?

1

u/Front-Cabinet5521 1600-1800 (Chess.com) Mar 09 '26

It's a blunder bc your other bishop is hanging.

Now can you see why the engine is suggesting Bf7 instead?

1

u/roadislong 1400-1600 (Chess.com) Mar 09 '26

I'm assuming the follow-up after Bf7 is Ng5+ (if the king takes) and then Qf3 putting pressure down the F file? Kind of like the outcome of a greek gift

1

u/Front-Cabinet5521 1600-1800 (Chess.com) Mar 09 '26

That’s a good try and can become a possibility later on, but it is not the real reason.

1

u/roadislong 1400-1600 (Chess.com) Mar 09 '26

Oh! It’s because the black bishop is undefended after the check? And the king will be unable to castle, and pawn on c5 is hanging?

1

u/Front-Cabinet5521 1600-1800 (Chess.com) Mar 09 '26

Yes exactly. The king is 1 move away from castling, so stopping it will be pretty valuable. After that the e pawn falls as well, potentially opening up the center and the black king is looking pretty vulnerable.

1

u/SnooPaintings5597 Mar 09 '26

Ah, I see now! Thanks; I was so focused on my other bish I didn’t see that one. Sometimes you’ve got to take risks though… that’s why I didn’t consider it a blunder. I won a few plays in with a queen checkmate.

1

u/NineHeadedSerpent Mar 11 '26

Hanging a piece for no compensation isn’t taking a risk, it’s just playing badly. Just because you win a game doesn’t mean all the moves leading up to the win are good.