Protection
Not to be confused with the sublime Massive Attack album.
Protection is a chess tactic. One of your pieces is protected if another one of your pieces can reach it in one move.
This somewhat protects your first piece from capture, as you have the option to retaliate. This is especially effective if your opponent's attacking piece is more valuable than your threatened piece.
When checking right next to your opponent's King, protecting your checking piece prevents him from capturing it, as to do so would place him immediately in check again. (Of course, it doesn't prevent your opponent's other pieces from capturing it.)
If you only learn one chess tactic, learn to keep each of your attackable pieces — even if they're not under attack yet, but soon can be — protected.
Tactics: Discovered check | Double check | Forking | Pinning | Protection | Skewering
