Tactical Course Interference
An interference tactic in chess disrupts the connection between an opposing piece and something it is protecting. This is usually achieved by placing a piece on a critical square between the defender and its target, preventing the defender from continuing its defensive role.
Interference is particularly effective against long-range pieces such as queens, rooks and bishops. A rook may be separated from another rook along a rank or file, while a bishop or queen may lose control of an important square when a piece is placed on the diagonal between them.
The interfering piece is often sacrificed. Although placing a piece directly in the path of an opposing piece may initially appear to lose material, the interruption can create a stronger threat elsewhere. The opponent may then be unable to restore the defensive connection in time.
An interference can also be created by forcing an opposing piece onto the critical square. Instead of placing one of your own pieces between the defender and its target, a forcing move may cause an enemy piece to obstruct its own rook, bishop or queen. This can disrupt the coordination of the opponent’s pieces and leave an important target without adequate protection.
Interference can also prevent an opposing piece from attacking or capturing one of your pieces. By blocking the line between attacker and target, the connection is temporarily broken and the protected piece may gain the time needed to move or participate in another tactical idea.
The essential tactical idea is:
Interference breaks an important connection between opposing pieces or between a defender and a critical square.
When solving the positions below, look particularly for which defending pieces depend on an open rank, file or diagonal, where that connection can be interrupted and what becomes possible once the defensive line is broken. ♟️🎯
Solutions are in the Chess Board.