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Interference

Tactics · also: obstruction

Interference is a tactic where you place a piece on the line between two enemy pieces, breaking the defence or communication that runs along it.

Rd2 interferes on the second rank, cutting the black rook on a2 off from defending along the line — a wall dropped between defenders.

Many defences rely on a line: a rook guarding a square along a file, a bishop defending a pawn along a diagonal. Interference drops a piece onto that line so the defender can no longer see what it was protecting.

Because the interfering piece is often deep in enemy territory, the move is frequently a sacrifice — the point isn’t the piece itself but the line it blocks, which collapses the opponent’s coordination.

Interference is the mirror image of a pin or x-ray: instead of exploiting an open line, you deliberately clog one. It’s easy to overlook, which is exactly what makes it such a sharp weapon.

Frequently asked

What is interference in chess?

A tactic that places a piece on the line between two enemy pieces, severing the defence or communication that ran along it.

Why is interference often a sacrifice?

The interfering piece usually lands where it can be captured, but its job is to block a crucial line — the line being cut is worth more than the piece.

Related terms

Removing the Defender
Tactics
Read ›
Deflection
Tactics
Read ›
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