Hot Topics: chessbase magazine - page 1

Touch and go

10/11/2019 – The diagram (after 23...b3!) shows a parade example for a Sicilian position with opposite castlings and both sides using their "battering ram" (g-pawn/b-pawn) to open lines against the enemy king. No matter how White plays, Black's attack will come first. Enjoy!

A powerful "zwischenzug"

10/8/2019 – The duel rook against bishop and knight is often fascinating and full of hidden details. In the diagram position White can use the bad position of Black's knight.

Haste makes waste

10/4/2019 – After 23...exd4 in the diagram, White is never going to recapture this pawn in the game — he just has better things to do! Have you spotted his leitmotif?

The battering ram

10/1/2019 – Usually, in the endgame rooks are much better than a knight. However, if only a few pawns remain on the board the defender might try to build a fortress. To crack such fortresses rooks often need support.

Cool Norwegian

9/27/2019 – 19...g6 in the diagram attacks the queen on f5 — but doesn't this spoil Black's position to a draw if White just replies 20.Bxh8 now?

Triangulation

9/24/2019 – Even apparently simple pawn endings can be tricky.

Hot Scotch

9/20/2019 – In the diagram White played 17.Qh5+ Kg8 18.Be5 forking queen and rook. Good for Black: he has a move which does not lose instantly. Bad: it will be a very short-lived success. Enjoy!

A strong and tricky knight

9/17/2019 – This wild endgame features a pawn race full of twists and turns that is as fun to watch as it is to win (or draw if you're playing White)!

Drawing threat!?

9/13/2019 – White's 33.Bd7 in the diagram is a desperate attempt to create counterplay which Black definitely should not have ignored — his game continuation 33...a2? throws away victory. Can you see why?

Retreat to advance

9/10/2019 – When fighting against a bishop in the endgame the defender often tries to create a fortress on the squares which the bishop cannot reach. However, one should not believe too much in fortresses.

A short Nordic drama

9/6/2019 – With 36...Qd2 in the diagram Black's queen approaches the enemy king and attacks its "best friend", the knight on d3. Please evaluate the position, and then make the right choice for White!

Rook checks or switches

9/3/2019 – Usually the pawnless ending rook and bishop against rook results in a drawn position. But if the attacker's pieces are well-placed he or she can sometimes even win against material superiority.

The right rook

8/30/2019 – In the diagram position Black should have played 16...♜fd8! — can you spot how after 16...♜ad8? White wins by force?