The Lead Shield
An X-Ray is when a piece indirectly attacks/defends something through another piece. The DP from 2024/03/07 got me thinking of a counter tactic to the X-Ray, which I termed the Lead Shield [because lead stops X-Rays]. <hat tip to @BryanCFB for ideas on naming the tactic>
In this position, the White Queen is the Lead Shield, blocking the Black Rook's X-Ray defense of h6, allowing the White Rook to play 2. Rxh6+ without interference from the Black Rook.
I think it’s distinct from Interference because with Interference you are actively placing a piece where it blocks opponent communication whereas in the Lead Shield, the piece doing the blocking is already in place and it’s the opponent who is attempting to activate the X-Ray and we are able to use the shield to use a different piece to attack.
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The same idea occurred in the Daily Puzzle for 2024/04/13, in an unplayed variation. If Black had played 3. ... Nc6, White does not capture 4. Rxg8+, which allows 4. ... Rxg8, but instead plays 4. fxg8(=Q)#, using the Rook as the Lead Shield, blocking the Black Rook's X-Ray defense of g8.
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This is a game I played from 3/30:
The White Rook X-Ray defends g2 so 1. ... Qxg2+ is a blunder due to 2. Rxg2. However, 1. ... Rxg2+, which keeps the Lead Shield in place and attacks with the other piece, wins: 2. Kh1 Qf1#.
I'm hoping to add this term to the Chess Lexicon.