tag: tactic column - Page 4

Castling in the middlegame

12/10/2022 – In the diagram position Black finally wants to play ...0-0, but of course White still has something to say about that. 22.g4 or 22.Ra8+ - how would you start disruptive action?
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Olympic spotlight

12/3/2022 – In the diagram position, the fork 18...e4?? blundered the game for Black, but he did have a subtle way to get a clear advantage - enjoy the notes by Wesley So!
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Keep calm!

11/26/2022 – In the diagram position, White just played Rd1 to d4, threatening to take the black knight on b4 and to play Rh4 with a mating attack. But it's Black to move and win - if he keeps calm and calculates the lines! How should Black proceed?
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Bishops in enemy territory

11/19/2022 – The razor-sharp diagram position should be drawn with best play, but until then there are still some cliffs to be avoided on both sides. White starts - please fasten your seatbelts!
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While the iron is hot...

11/12/2022 – In the diagram position, White missed the moment to turn the activity of his pieces into something tangible. Without time pressure and with the certainty that 'something is possible' - can you do better?
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The swinging queen

11/5/2022 – After the initial move 20...Qb6+! in the diagram position 21.Rf2 is easy enough to refute, but what would you do after 21.Nf2? Good luck - and enjoy the position!
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Oops!

10/29/2022 – In the game Jonny Hector and Jonathan Westerberg played at the Swedish Championship 2022 in Uppsala, both sides had been moving back and forth until they reached the diagram position. However, White now continued his waiting strategy for too long and played 36.Kf2? How can Black use this golden opportunity?
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Out of the blue Bundesliga sky

10/22/2022 – This time we would like to add only one piece of information to the inconspicuous diagram position: White to play! The rest is up to your tactical acumen...
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Finding happiness

10/15/2022 – When you find the winning move White played in the diagrammed position, the rest will be be easy - enjoy!
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Passed pawns are powerful

10/8/2022 – White has active pieces and a powerful passed pawn on d6 while Black's back rank is weak. In the diagram position you are probably itching to find the decisive move that defeats Black. But can you calculate everything in your head until the knockout comes five moves later?
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Double Flop

10/1/2022 – Today your defensive skills are needed: Can you refute Black's 35...Ng6? or 35...Rg6? in the diagram position?
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The Marshall attack à la Svidler

9/26/2022 – In the diagrammed position it is Black to move and he destroyed the white kingside in a most impressive way - I wish you happy sacrificing!
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Forward and back

9/24/2022 – In the diagrammed position, White has a clever way to destabilize Black's minor piece block and win material. Have a go!
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Bishops unleashed

9/17/2022 – In the diagram position, Black has active heavy pieces, and his bishops are dying to join in. Help them to do so - and win the game!
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Dancing queen

9/10/2022 – In the diagram position, Black can ensure the promotion of her passed d-pawn with three precise queen moves, the last one being the trickiest. Technique meets tactics - your call!
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Outmaneuvered

9/3/2022 – Only two pawns left on each side, equal material - and yet from the diagram position White wins by force. Five moves, one leitmotif - enjoy!
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Knight escapades

8/27/2022 – If the idea to snatch a pawn with 14...Nxc3? in the diagrammed position gives you an uneasy feeling, your chess understanding is definitely okay. And now you are invited to show how White refutes this idea!
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The Jones trap

8/20/2022 – In this King's Indian position, it's Black to move - and he can quickly take the full point if White isn't careful. You have been warned!
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Checks and mates

8/13/2022 – In the diagram position, White has yet to react properly to the black queen's check, then he may happily start searching for mates - feel free to join!
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Demolition man

8/6/2022 – In the diagrammed position, White put all his pieces on light squares. A stable position? Not if you swing the wrecking ball with Black - I wish you massive pleasure!
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The king in the centre

7/30/2022 – In the diagram position Black has just invited 18.Qxf5, but his way to victory after the game continuation 18.Qd2 is also worthy of a brilliancy prize - have fun!
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Oldie goldie

7/9/2022 – Does Black have perpetual check in the diagram position after 14...Nf3+ - or more? A look back at a classic, played 125 years ago - enjoy!
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Touch and go

7/2/2022 – In the diagram position, White's 37.Rd6 attacked the queen b6 which is guarding the Ne3. Now only one move puts Black on the winning track - perhaps you'll need to think for some time to find it!
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Hard to stop

6/25/2022 – In the diagrammed position White just played 35.Qa3!, and after 35...Qxd4 White has a beautiful win - can you find it?
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