In these puzzles, the defense comes from creating a threat: saving a piece by attacking something more important, shutting down the opponent’s idea, or forcing a favorable simplification. You will learn how an active defensive intermezzo can neutralize danger and turn a tough position into an equal or even winning one.
Example:
In the position below, White's threatening a nasty looking check on h7.
If we were to take the rook 1...Bxd2, White had planned 2.Qh7+
2...Kf8 3.Nd5!
and the only way to stop checkmate is to give up our queen for the knight. Black is completely lost here.
Black saw this whole thing coming and prepared the following intermezzo: 1...g6!
White's queen is forced to retreat: 2.Qf3 Bxd2
From an otherwise lost position, Black has managed to still take the rook and save his king from a mating attack.