Battery conceded
And you — how often have you allowed it?
Import your games: ChessPivot flags every time this pattern cost you material, and trains you to fix it.
What is it?
An allowed battery is when your opponent lines up two pieces on the same line — typically queen and rook on a file, or queen and bishop on a diagonal — which reinforce each other and concentrate pressure on a weak point, often in front of your king.
How it happens
The battery forms by doubling heavy pieces on an open file, or by placing queen and bishop on the same diagonal towards your castled king. You allow it by letting a file open in front of your king, weakening the pawns around your castle, or failing to contest the critical file.
How to avoid it
Contest open files before your opponent doubles on them, keep your castling pawns intact, and watch the diagonals aimed at the squares near your king. If a battery forms, block its line or trade off its front piece.
Train this motif
Exercises built from YOUR games (solved, missed) are part of ChessPivot Plus. Discover ChessPivot Plus
Frequently asked
- What makes a battery dangerous?
- Concentration: two pieces on the same point allow a sacrifice of the front piece followed by recapture with the second, ripping open the king’s position.
- How do I neutralise a battery?
- Block its line of action with a pawn or piece, trade off the front piece, or counterattack fast enough that it never gets to strike.