diff --git a/electrum/interface.py b/electrum/interface.py
index 5e572ab0c..3fc51e559 100644
--- a/electrum/interface.py
+++ b/electrum/interface.py
@@ -831,28 +831,43 @@ class Interface(Logger):
         headers = list(util.chunks(bfh(res['hex']), size=HEADER_SIZE))
         return headers
 
-    async def request_chunk(
+    async def request_chunk_below_max_checkpoint(
         self,
-        height: int,
         *,
-        tip: Optional[int] = None,
-        can_return_early: bool = False,
+        height: int,
+    ) -> None:
+        if not is_non_negative_integer(height):
+            raise Exception(f"{repr(height)} is not a block height")
+        assert height <= constants.net.max_checkpoint(), f"{height=} must be <= cp={constants.net.max_checkpoint()}"
+        index = height // CHUNK_SIZE
+        if index in self._requested_chunks:
+            return None
+        self.logger.debug(f"requesting chunk from height {height}")
+        try:
+            self._requested_chunks.add(index)
+            headers = await self.get_block_headers(start_height=index * CHUNK_SIZE, count=CHUNK_SIZE)
+        finally:
+            self._requested_chunks.discard(index)
+        conn = self.blockchain.connect_chunk(index, data=b"".join(headers))
+        if not conn:
+            raise RequestCorrupted(f"chunk ({index=}, for {height=}) does not connect to blockchain")
+        return None
+
+    async def _fast_forward_chain(
+        self,
+        *,
+        height: int,
+        tip: int,
     ) -> Optional[Tuple[bool, int]]:
         if not is_non_negative_integer(height):
             raise Exception(f"{repr(height)} is not a block height")
+        if not is_non_negative_integer(tip):
+            raise Exception(f"{repr(tip)} is not a block height")
         index = height // CHUNK_SIZE
-        if can_return_early and index in self._requested_chunks:
-            return None
-        #self.logger.debug(f"requesting chunk from height {height}")
         size = CHUNK_SIZE
-        if tip is not None:
-            size = min(size, tip - index * CHUNK_SIZE + 1)
-            size = max(size, 0)
-        try:
-            self._requested_chunks.add(index)
-            headers = await self.get_block_headers(start_height=index * CHUNK_SIZE, count=size)
-        finally:
-            self._requested_chunks.discard(index)
+        size = min(size, tip - index * CHUNK_SIZE + 1)
+        size = max(size, 0)
+        headers = await self.get_block_headers(start_height=index * CHUNK_SIZE, count=size)
         conn = self.blockchain.connect_chunk(index, data=b"".join(headers))
         if not conn:
             return conn, 0
@@ -1021,7 +1036,8 @@ class Interface(Logger):
                 # It is more efficient to process headers in large batches (CPU/disk_usage/logging).
                 # (but this wastes a little bandwidth, if we are not on a chunk boundary)
                 # TODO we should request (some) chunks concurrently. would help when we are many chunks behind
-                could_connect, num_headers = await self.request_chunk(height, tip=next_height)
+                could_connect, num_headers = await self._fast_forward_chain(
+                    height=height, tip=next_height)
                 if not could_connect:
                     if height <= constants.net.max_checkpoint():
                         raise GracefulDisconnect('server chain conflicts with checkpoints or genesis')
diff --git a/electrum/lnverifier.py b/electrum/lnverifier.py
index dad87e647..3464da4f9 100644
--- a/electrum/lnverifier.py
+++ b/electrum/lnverifier.py
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ class LNChannelVerifier(NetworkJobOnDefaultServer):
             header = blockchain.read_header(block_height)
             if header is None:
                 if block_height <= constants.net.max_checkpoint():
-                    await self.taskgroup.spawn(self.interface.request_chunk(block_height, can_return_early=True))
+                    await self.taskgroup.spawn(self.interface.request_chunk_below_max_checkpoint(height=block_height))
                 continue
             self.started_verifying_channel.add(short_channel_id)
             await self.taskgroup.spawn(self.verify_channel(block_height, short_channel_id))
diff --git a/electrum/network.py b/electrum/network.py
index e1b41b8a5..2171ce25e 100644
--- a/electrum/network.py
+++ b/electrum/network.py
@@ -1309,19 +1309,6 @@ class Network(Logger, NetworkRetryManager[ServerAddr]):
         # otherwise:
         return _("Unknown error")
 
-    @best_effort_reliable
-    @catch_server_exceptions
-    async def request_chunk(
-        self,
-        height: int,
-        *,
-        tip: Optional[int] = None,
-        can_return_early: bool = False,
-    ) -> Optional[Tuple[bool, int]]:
-        if self.interface is None:  # handled by best_effort_reliable
-            raise RequestTimedOut()
-        return await self.interface.request_chunk(height, tip=tip, can_return_early=can_return_early)
-
     @best_effort_reliable
     @catch_server_exceptions
     async def get_transaction(self, tx_hash: str, *, timeout=None) -> str:
diff --git a/electrum/verifier.py b/electrum/verifier.py
index 2e4de8f3b..7205fce2e 100644
--- a/electrum/verifier.py
+++ b/electrum/verifier.py
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ class SPV(NetworkJobOnDefaultServer):
             if header is None:
                 if tx_height <= constants.net.max_checkpoint():
                     # FIXME these requests are not counted (self._requests_sent += 1)
-                    await self.taskgroup.spawn(self.interface.request_chunk(tx_height, can_return_early=True))
+                    await self.taskgroup.spawn(self.interface.request_chunk_below_max_checkpoint(height=tx_height))
                 continue
             # request now
             self.logger.info(f'requested merkle {tx_hash}')