Interference (Obstruction)
Interference tactics block communication between pieces, often leading to decisive material gains.
Cutting Lines of Defense
Interference is a tactical motif that disrupts the connection between an opponent's defending pieces.
Interference Tactics – Blocking the Defender
This famous example is Tony Miles’ stunning 34.Be5!! against Craig Pritchett. It demonstrate interference tactics, where a key defending line is deliberately blocked to break coordination between the opponent’s pieces. By inserting a piece or pawn between defenders, interference cuts off protection, exposes weaknesses, and often turns a solid position into a tactical collapse. Learning to spot interference trains you to look beyond direct captures and see how disrupting lines can decide the game.
Tony Miles vs Craig Pritchett
6th Lloyds Bank Masters Open (1982), London, Round 5 • Veresov (D01) • 1–0
1. The Problem – White Must Act Now
In this position, Black’s pieces appear active and White must respond precisely. The key is to spot a move that blocks Black’s coordination.
2. The Solution – 34. Be5!!
The move: 34. Be5!!
This is an interference (often discussed as a Novotny-style intersection idea): White drops a bishop onto a critical square, and Black can’t keep their forces connected.
- It blocks key lines so Black’s defenses don’t work together.
- It creates immediate, crushing threats (including mate patterns around the king).
- Black has no satisfactory reply — the game ends here after Be5!!).
No Game continuation: …Kh8 34.Be5 1–0 {Black resigns}
From the Archives
"A quiet move that slices the position in half."
— Kingscrusher
"When two defenders rely on the same square or line — interference can be fatal."
♟️ Related Concepts
Deflection
Interference often works hand-in-hand with deflection: one defender is forced away, the other is blocked.
X-Ray Attack
By cutting a line, interference can suddenly activate hidden x-ray pressure behind the scenes.
Windmill
Some interference ideas lead to repeated forcing moves, similar to the rhythm seen in windmill tactics.
Pin
Blocking or removing a defender often transforms a latent pin into a decisive tactical weapon.