The quiet move

Chess tactics

What is a quiet move in chess?

A quiet move does not check or capture, yet it creates a threat the opponent cannot stop, or takes away their only defence. These are the hardest tactics to find because you are looking for forcing moves, and the winning move is not forcing at all.

How to spot it
  • When there is no check or capture that works, ask what your opponent is threatening, and what single move stops all of it.
  • Look for a move that adds a second attacker, takes away an escape square or blocks a defender.
  • Zugzwang positions often need a waiting move: whoever has to move loses.
A common mistake

Making the obvious forcing move just because it forces. Pause and look for the move that improves your position most.

Try it: real puzzles
Example 1: White to move
Show the solution

50. Qxf2 Nxf2 51. a5 Nd1 52. a6 Nxe3 53. a7

Example 2: White to move
Show the solution

54. g5 Rd2 55. g6

Example 3: Black to move
Show the solution

31... Rh8 32. f4 Qxh2+

Example 4: Black to move
Show the solution

42... b5 43. Kxg5 b4 44. Kh6 b3 45. g5 b2 46. g6 b1=Q

Train quiet move puzzles in ChessPeak

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