Master Moves #8
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 the last edition of the truly wonderful Melody Amber tournament, which has also been the only blindfold event in history. It will be sorely missed.
Position 1
Ivanchuk was playing blindfold, but hardly blind.
White to play and win.
Position 2
Another efficient end by the Ukrainian genius.
White to play and win.
Position 3
Kramnik had a tournament to forget, but not here.
Black to play and win.
Position 4
Carlsen was on absolute fire in the rapid section,
and made beating the elite seem almost easy.
White to play and win.
Position 5
Although Giri had a rough first and only Amber,
this being announced as the last. He showed he
could give just as well as take. White to play and win.
Position 6
It seems to go against good sense, but Gashimov
is not stuck in dogma. White to play and win.
Position 7
Carlsen outplayed Aronian here.
White to play and win.
Position 8
Grischuk, whose early coach wrote noted tactics
manuals, showed the lessons were not forgotten.
White to play and win.
Click here to see solutions
Click here for all previous Master Moves
Copyright
ChessBase
