Pieces & Activity
What is a tension in chess?
- Pieces
- Activity
- Coordination
Tension is a piece-play concept: a position in which one or more exchanges are possible, such as a pair of pawns facing each other on a diagonal where either can capture the other, is said to contain tension. Such a situation differs from a threat in that it does not need to be immediately resolved – for example, if both pawns are defended. Ask whether the piece is active, coordinated, and serving a real plan.
What to look for on the board
- Your least active piece.
- Open lines and strong squares.
- Whether pieces coordinate on the same target.
Related terms
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