Oliver Reeh

Recent news

Checks and counter checks

10/23/2020 – In the diagram position, that shows a study but did not occur in a real game, White's King on h8 is in danger and White needs to act quickly. Things start with 1.g4+! Kh6 - enjoy!

The other day in the Playchess Café

10/16/2020 – With 18.Qb5 (diagram), White has just attacked the black pawn on d5. Can you work out why 18...Rfe8! is a very relaxed way of dealing with this threat?

King in the middle (3)

10/9/2020 – Grabbing the opponent's b-pawn in the opening by sending your queen on a killing spree is not always bad, as the Poisoned Pawn Variation in the Najdorf (1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6 7.f4 Qb6!?) shows. But in the diagram position, Black's greedy 9...Qxb2? is indeed bad. However, to refute the move, White needs to use many a piece. Have fun!

King in the middle (2)

10/2/2020 – In the diagram position White is a pawn down but Black has not castled yet and is far from being fully developed. Black's last move 13...Qb8 targets White's pawn on e5 but did not do anything for Black's development. Don't you let him get away with it!

King in the middle (1)

9/25/2020 – In the diagram position Black just played the provocative 8...Bd6 - but his real mistake after 9.Kh1! was 9...Ne7??. But why is this developing move a serious error?

Use your leverage!

9/18/2020 – In the diagram position Black would like to close the position, while White wants just the opposite - he would like to open the position to give his pieces space. But it is White to move! How would you continue?

Hanging helpers

9/11/2020 – In the diagram position, the black queen on e3 and the black knight on g4 need the help of the 'heavy guys' to hunt down the white king who is living on the edge at h3. One key move and two mate lines - enjoy!

Slaying the dragon II

9/4/2020 – The diagram shows the starting position of the aggressive Löwenfisch Variation. After the natural 6...Bg7 Black already must be very careful not to be crushed. Are you in a Dragon slayer mood today?

The sword of Damocles

8/28/2020 – If it weren’t for the bishop on h6, White could give checkmate with Qxh8++ in the diagram. But the attempt to remove this piece with 21.Bf8? would actually backfire. Happy countering!

Slaying the dragon

8/21/2020 – In the diagram position White has just played 17.f4! creating the threat Qh3, and after 17...e5 he strikes. Can you find Fischer's continuation... five times?

Oldie-Parade I

8/14/2020 – In the diagram White threatens Rh3 with vicious intentions down the open h-file. Black to play: three lines, two results, one person to make all the difference - you!

Fischer's invitation

8/7/2020 – In the diagram position Black played 26...Rc6!? and then both the white rook and the black rook invaded enemy territory: White played 27.Ra8, Black countered with 27...Rc1. But which of the two rooks is more dangerous for the opponent?

Light squares, dark squares

7/31/2020 – Refuting White's 27.Rxf5 in the diagram position may take time, which Black in this (rapid) game simply didn't have and failed. Not pressed by the clock, can you do better?

Not quite unexpectedly II

7/24/2020 – With his forces fully mobilised, White shatters any faint hope that Black had to survive with his exposed king. Go for it!

Not quite unexpectedly I

7/17/2020 – In the diagram position White is under immense pressure, and if 28.f3 (blocking the long diagonal and hitting the knight on g4) does not work, White sure is busted. Well, 28.f3 in fact does not work - but why?

Well in advance

7/10/2020 – In the diagram, Black's blockade construct Qd8/Bh4 on the kingside looks artificial, but White rightly decided not to rush and calmly strengthened his position. How?

Queens as targets

7/3/2020 – White's 16.Ng5 in the diagram position threatens 17.Bd5+ and doesn't look too bad, but Black ... is Tal! Can you shine like the 8th World Champion?

Edouard's e-pawn

6/26/2020 – In the diagram position, there is hardly a more natural continuation for White than the advance 7.e4 - but in fact the move is an invitation! Are you ready for an adventure?
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