Academy | Tactics | Targets | Overloaded Defenders
An overloaded defender is a piece that protects more than one target. It cannot defend everything effectively, because as soon as it must support one target, it leaves the other unprotected.
In this position, the Black rook on e8 defends the queen while also guarding the back rank. If the rook weren’t there, White could play either Qxd5 or Re8#.
1. Re8+ Re8+ proves the Black rook is overloaded Rxe8 2. Qxd5
The tactical idea shown in this position is known as the “ladder trick.” The moves 1.Re8+ Rxe8 remove the support from beneath the Black queen, causing her to “fall.”