---
title: "The in-between move: chess lesson · Chess Goat"
description: "Before the expected recapture or retreat, look for a check or capture that comes first. 9-minute lesson with puzzles at your level."
canonical: "https://trychessgoat.com/learn/lesson/intermezzo/"
last_updated: 2026-10-09
---

Level 3 · Plan, don't just react · 1100–1400 · 9 min

# The in-between move

Before the expected recapture or retreat, look for a check or capture that comes first.

## The rule to take into your games

**Before every recapture or retreat, look for a check or capture first.**

Part of Goat Pass: 3 steps on the board, 3 guided examples, then puzzles at your level, and the ones you miss come back until they stick. The first 3 lessons are free.

[Open this lesson →](https://trychessgoat.com/learn/#/lesson/intermezzo)

Not sure this is your leak? Your free [Goat Card](https://trychessgoat.com/u/) reads your chess.com games and puts the lessons that fix your biggest mistakes first. Next lesson: [Rook endgames: Lucena and Philidor](https://trychessgoat.com/learn/lesson/rook-endgames-1/).