Roadmap > Tactics > Targets > Overloaded Defenders
An overloaded defender is a piece that protects more than one important target. This makes it vulnerable to tactical ideas.
Example of an Overloaded Defender
The black rook on d8 defends the queen while also guarding the back rank against Re8+. This means the black rook is overloaded.
White to move:
1. Re8+ Re8+ proves the Black rook is overloaded Rxe8 2. Qxd5
The tactical idea shown here is known as the ladder trick. After 1. Re8+ Rxe8, the support beneath the black queen is removed, causing it to “fall.”