👉 A situation in which the king is directly threatened by an opposing piece.
Alright class, settle down, let’s take a look! That dictionary definition – “A situation in which the king is directly threatened by an opposing piece” – that’s describing something very specific indeed. It's talking about check in chess! Now, "check" isn't just any threat; it's a particular kind of danger. Think of it like this: A check happens when your opponent's piece can capture your King – right now, or on their very next turn! It’s a direct attack, you see? It’s like shouting “Stop!” to the king - he must do something to get out of danger. He can: Move the King to a safe square. Block the attack with another piece. Capture the attacking piece! So, "check" means a dangerous situation for the King, needing immediate attention. It's a crucial part of the game and often leads to exciting tactical battles. Do you have any questions about what we’ve covered? Perhaps you want me to explain how it relates to checkmate?