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FREE CHESS LESSON · OPPONENT PLANS AND PROPHYLAXIS

Ask what they want next

Before improving your own position, look for the opponent’s next useful move. A small preventive move can make that plan harder.

Try this lesson Study the example ↓

By Gal Itach · Valorem Apps · Updated

THE IDEA TO REMEMBER

Notice. Prevent. Reassess.

  • First check immediate checks, captures and threats.
  • Then ask which useful move the opponent wants.
  • Prevent a real idea, but do not defend against everything.

FOLLOW THE POSITION

A worked chess example.

The f6-knight can jump to g4, attacking the e3-bishop. The c8-bishop can also use g4 to pin the f3-knight to the queen.

Starting position · White to move
Black can consider using g4. White can discourage that plan.
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Position in text & FEN

Black rook on a8; Black bishop on c8; Black queen on d8; Black rook on f8; Black king on g8; Black pawn on b7; Black pawn on c7; Black pawn on f7; Black pawn on g7; Black pawn on h7; Black pawn on a6; Black knight on c6; Black pawn on d6; Black knight on f6; Black bishop on c5; Black pawn on e5; White bishop on c4; White pawn on e4; White knight on c3; White pawn on d3; White bishop on e3; White knight on f3; White pawn on a2; White pawn on b2; White pawn on c2; White pawn on f2; White pawn on g2; White pawn on h2; White rook on a1; White queen on d1; White rook on f1; White king on g1.

r1bq1rk1/1pp2ppp/p1np1n2/2b1p3/2B1P3/2NPBN2/PPP2PPP/R2Q1RK1 w - - 0 8

The diagram follows the legal example below. Open the interactive lesson to make your own decisions.

  1. White can now meet a knight or bishop arriving on g4 with hxg4.

    This is prophylaxis: reducing an opponent’s useful options before a problem appears. It does not make those moves illegal, and it does not excuse ignoring an urgent threat elsewhere.

  2. The bishop develops and challenges White’s c4-bishop.

    Stopping one idea never stops all play. Continue asking what changed after the opponent’s actual reply.

  3. The c4-bishop captures on e6.

    This is one legal continuation, not a required response to Be6. Look ahead to how the recapture changes Black’s pawns and files.

  4. Black’s f-pawn recaptures on e6, leaving no black pawn on the f-file.

    The f-file is half-open for Black: Black has no pawn there, but White does. The f6-knight still blocks the rook, so this is a future route, not an immediate attack on f2.

  5. The queen leaves d1, connecting White’s rooks along the first rank.

    White’s rooks on a1 and f1 can now see each other. A preventive move should support a plan, not turn the whole game into passive waiting.

  6. Black develops the queen and protects e6. White must assess this new position.

    Use a short scan: What checks and captures are available? What does the opponent want next? Can I improve my own position while reducing that plan?

Learning notes and references

These are original teaching explanations and positions. The references below provide background on the general principles and rules.

Game rules in the interactive experience use chess.js. Board diagrams show the supplied chess positions; decorative artwork is AI-generated.

Download the lesson lines and study sheets

Now make the decisions.

Open the matching foundation, then explore its guided practice.

Practise opponent plans and prophylaxis

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