Master Moves #4

by ChessBase
2/7/2011 – All the deepest plans or endgame technique are useless if you fall victim to a shot that leaves you in a lost position. Likewise, superior play will sometimes only offer a single window of opportunity to deliver that final blow, so it is vital to be ready for it when it does. Here are some positions from the recent Gibraltar tournament. Test your tactical eye.
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Master Moves #4

All the deepest plans or endgame technique are useless if you fall victim to a shot that leaves you in a lost position. Likewise, sometimes that superior play will only offer a single window of opportunity to deliver that final blow, so it is vital to be ready for it when it does. All the positions below are from recent master and grandmaster practice, representing shots both played and missed. The last two are harder than the rest with the last being the hardest (for a human). There is a link to the answers at the bottom.

Position 1








White to play and win.

Position 2
White to play and win.

Position 3
The layout of the white pieces can easily have you
looking in the wrong direction. White to play and win.

Position 4
Ivanchuk was in sizzling form, using the grandmasters
as target practice. White to play and win.

Position 5








White to play and win.

Position 6








Black to play and win.

Position 7
White's shot no doubt came as a bit of
a shock to Black. White to play and win.

Position 8








Even if you see the main idea, be sure to follow up
properly. Black to play and win.

Click here to see solutions

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