.jpeg)
Winning starts with what you know
The new version 18 offers completely new possibilities for chess training and analysis: playing style analysis, search for strategic themes, access to 6 billion Lichess games, player preparation by matching Lichess games, download Chess.com games with built-in API, built-in cloud engine and much more.
We all love beautiful attacking games, full of deep and unorthodox ideas. We adore sacrifices leading to elegant mating patterns. However, everyday chess tactics are usually much humbler.
Even professionals deal much more often with small tricks than grandiose and deep ideas. And they calculate "small combinations" far more often than long lines.
"Small combination" is a term coined by José Raúl Capablanca, and is used for a 2 or 3-move long tactic that is relatively simple to find, but also simple to overlook.
Being good at finding small combinations means being tactically alert. So, let us have a look at several examples. You can try to solve any of these positions yourself.
***
Anand-Navara, Gashimov Memorial 2019 - Black to move:
We have entered the game after Anand's move 41.Qe7?. In the previous time-trouble, GM Navara almost lost on time, reaching move 40 with a single second to spare. And yet, he saw the drawing combination instantly.
41...Rd1+!
The rook has to be taken, after 42.Ke3 White loses the knight. However, after the forced 42.Nxd1 Navara's queen is going to dance in an eternal pattern: 42…Qd4+ 43.Ke1 Qg1+ 44.Kd2 Qd4+ 45.Kc1 Qa1+ with a draw.
Anand saw all of this, and therefore the game ended instantly after 41…Rd1+. Of course, Black was very lucky, as after a normal continuation, White's three extra pawns would give him excellent winning chances.
***
In the second example, White is worse once again.
Jakovenko-Leko, Tal Memorial 2007 - White to move:
Jakovenko is a pawn dawn. The e4-knight is taboo, as 44.Kxe4?? d2+ wins. So, what should he do? Try to block the dangerous d3-pawn and hope for the best? Well, the Russian GM found another solution.
He decided to cut the Gordian knot with 44.Bxd3!. Now after 44...Rxd3+, White has 45.Kxe4. Funnily enough, the discovered check with the rook is less dangerous as it would have been with the pawn.
Therefore, Leko played 44…Bxd3, but after 45.Ne1! it became clear that there is no one to protect the d3-bishop. White drew without problems.
***
Sometimes even the best miss little combinations.
Kramnik-Krasenkow, Corus Wijk aan Zee 2003 - White to move:
In this symmetrical queenless middlegame, White's pieces are a bit more active. Can he turn this advantage into something more tangible?
Kramnik did not find the correct solution. He played 15.Nd3, keeping a tangible positional advantage. To be fair, we must admit that he later won anyway.
However, much simpler was to gain material at once with 15.Nxf7 Rxf7 16.Rxe7! (My guess is that Kramnik missed this move. After the exchange sacrifice, Black is deprived of the …Ne7-d5 defensive resource.) 16…Bxe7 17.Ne5, earning a healthy pawn.
***
Sometimes a little tactic helps a player to achieve his strategical goals.
Aronian-Miroshnichenko, European Championship Antalya 2004 - White to move:
White is undoubtedly better. His army is well-organized, and he controls the centre. Black's only chance to hold equality is to block the d5-pawn, putting a piece on the dark d6-square.
Of course, Aronian wanted to avoid this scenario. And he found a simple yet beautiful resource. White played 27.d6!, opening the centre. The tactical justification is obvious. After 27…Qxd6 28.Nf5+ Bxf5 29.Qxd6 exd6 White can take the unprotected rook with 30.Rxe8.
Aronian won a nice game.
***
Grandmasters calculate at almost every moment of the game. Their brains (often subconsciously) scan for hidden tactical possibilities, tricks and traps. If you want to improve your game, you should try to do the same.
In almost every position there are more tactics than expected. It is up to the player to find the hidden chances.
Middlegame Secrets Vol.5 - The Inner Strength of Kings
In this video course, kings will play a role of strong and active pieces. We will explore how Kings can be helpful in defence and prophylaxis, or even in attack!
| Advertising |
