Learn How to Win Material: Hanging Piece Tactics
This middlegame puzzle is a classic example of a hanging piece tactic in the Modern Defense. White’s active pieces create pressure, but one central knight is loose and can be punished immediately. The key idea is that tactical play often overrides static evaluation: a seemingly strong attacking setup can collapse when a defended-looking piece is actually undefended. In positions like this, always check whether a capture also opens a stronger threat against the enemy queen or another major piece.