Overprotection

A term introduced into theory by A. Nimzowitsch. Overprotection means defending an important point in one's position with a "surplus" — more defending pieces than attacking ones — freeing the hands for operations elsewhere on the board.

Overprotection should be applied only to strong points, since overprotecting less important objects can leave the defending pieces passively placed. Weak points are worth overprotecting only when doing so also helps defend other, stronger points.

The term "overprotection" is contested — it has found no reflection in most other works and studies.