Interference opens the king

White’s queen and rook appear to cover the king. Black places a rook between the defenders and the target, forcing open the g-file for the queen.

Lesson

Black to move. Main line: 1... Rxf3 2. gxf3 Qxh2+ 3. Kf1 Qh3+ 4. Ke2 Qxe6+

1...Rxf3! is an interference sacrifice: after 2.gxf3, White’s pawn has been dragged onto f3 and the queen’s route to h2 is open.

The checks on h2 and h3 drive the king forward. Only then does Black collect the rook on e6, emerging with material and the safer king.

Interference works by breaking a line between defender and target. Look for a square where a forcing capture can make one of the defender’s own pieces obstruct that line.