What it means
A piece is trapped when it has no safe squares to escape to thus making it highly susceptible to capture. While mated kings are technically trapped, this tag should only be applied to non-mate situations.
Why it matters
Mastering tactical motifs helps you convert initiative into concrete gains and avoid common calculation errors.
How to apply it
- 1Check forcing moves first and compare candidate responses.
- 2Identify defenders, overloaded pieces and tactical alignments.
- 3Validate the final position before committing to the sequence.