tag: Tactics - Page 12

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?

Do you have an eye for tactics? (3)

6/19/2020 – In the diagram position, pinning Black's knight on c6 with 29.Rc1 must be a good move for White. Really? Really - but White has to calculate precisely!

Do you have an eye for tactics? (2)

6/12/2020 – In the diagram position White's last move was 14.Qh3 which creates a classical threat ... which Black happily ignored! Can you imagine what happened?

Do you have an eye for tactics? (1)

6/5/2020 – In the diagram position White played 36.Kh3 and after 36...Qd3 37.Kh4 Qc2 37.Kh3 the game ended in a draw. Trying to continue the fight with 36.h3? (instead of 36.Kh3) is not a good idea - do you see why?

A quick finish

5/29/2020 – In the diagram position Black is totally winning but it is hard to see that White is soon caught in a mating net. What is Black's quickest way to victory?

Disaster

5/21/2020 – In the diagram position White's bishop a2 fires against the knight e6. The intermediate exchange 31...Rxd1 32.Rxd1 is still okay for Black, however, offering a second rook trade with 32...Rd8?? leads to disaster. Can you see why?

Final result: 2-2!

5/15/2020 – This is a pleasantly tricky position! After 19...Bxe4 20.fxe5 Black needs to calculate precisely: two key lines win for Black, two key lines win for White. Can you find these lines and do you see how Black can win?

Best of Bundesliga

5/8/2020 – In the diagram position White played 15.d6!, a powerful move that opens the diagonal for the light-squared bishop and allowed White to score a brilliant victory after 15...Bxd6 16.Bc4+ Kg7. How did White win? Join and enjoy!

A graceful coup de grâce

4/30/2020 – The white king in the diagram position is weak and vulnerable, particularly on the dark squares. Black only needs to activate his queen to get a decisive attack. But how about scoring a point with an elegant flourish?

Cunning ladies

4/24/2020 – In the diagram position White played 25.f6 (opening the diagonal g4-d7) and after 25...Rxf6 26.Nxe5 an interesting position appeared on the board. But who do you favour here (White or Black) and why?

Light squared invasion

4/17/2020 – In the diagram position, White's knight jump 13.Nc6! was answered by 13....Qc5 and now the trade of queens was inevitable. But how would you trade the queens?

Turning point

4/11/2020 – In the diagram, White has just played 31.Qc2, threatening both Qc8+ and Qxh7. Your choice for Black: resign ... or get the advantage!
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