tag: tactic column - Page 3

Olé!

5/13/2023 – Black's king on h7, heavy pieces in the open g-file - White had deliberately gone for the diagram position after 21...Bh8. But now it's time to take the bull by the horns - your move!

A very special Najdorf

5/6/2023 – In the Polugaevsky Variation Black's king remains in the centre for a long time, making any misstep on his part absolutely fatal. Thus after 13...Ra7? (diagram) White makes three powerful preparatory moves and then sets off for the checkmate finale - have fun!

Mating parade

4/29/2023 – By playing the powerful 22.Rxe4! dxe4 23.Nxe4 in the diagram position, White gained a decisive attack, with magnificent checkmate patterns on the horizon. You can really let off steam here - enjoy!

Wrong direction

4/22/2023 – In the diagram position Black must decide what to do with the attacked knight d5: 16...Nf4! is okay, the game move, however, was 16...Nb4??. The refutation - entirely up to you!

All beginnings are easy

4/15/2023 – In the diagram position, White's opening move may be obvious with the black king in the centre, but after that ... Enjoy heavy piece handling à la Fritz Sämisch!

Mate in 11!

4/8/2023 – In the diagram position White mates Black's king in a maximum of 11 moves after 28.Rg7+!. Of course you don't need to work out the whole variation in your head, as Jan-Krzysztof Duda had to in this rapid game - but you're welcome to try!

Chance!

4/1/2023 – In the diagram position White seems to have his back to the wall in the face of Black's threats ...Bxf2 and ...Rg1 . You have to keep a cool head and skilfully go on the counterattack - you're good at that, aren't you?

Forward, always forward!

3/25/2023 – From the diagram position Black's knight landed by force... on the square f1! In the end it was only enough for half a point, but she had a fat chance of winning on the way. Have fun!

Bishops vs. 0-0-0

3/18/2023 – In the diagram position Black threatens both ...Qxa1 and ...dxc2, but his king ...Can you find White's elegant winning way?

Come on in!

3/11/2023 – In the diagram position, the pinned white Nb6 seems to be doomed. But mate comes first, and White has a clever way out - or should we say way in? Have fun!

Controlled power

3/4/2023 – In the diagram position, Black wins by force if he plays his trumps in the right order. Attacking with patience - can you do it?

Checkmate on the horizon

2/25/2023 – After 25...exd5 White skillfully set up the final attack. If you see his first move right away - please check black counterstrikes!

A clear(ing) case

2/18/2023 – In the diagram position, White has to act quickly in the face of Black's threat e5-e4 - and in the end it will be he who triumphs on the diagonal c2-h7. Happy uncovering!

Hanging attackers

2/11/2023 – In the diagram position White just played 11.Qf3?, which allows Black to get the advantage. A 'petite combinaison' par excellence - I hope you enjoy it a little!

Starting to finish

2/4/2023 – Yes, 24.Rxg7+! wins for White - but it's definitely a challenge to foresee the complete path to victory from the diagram position, even if it's initially paved with checks. Your perfect start to the (chess) weekend, right?

Loose bishops drop off

1/28/2023 – In the diagram position White can win a piece after 18.Nxc6! Bxc6. Can you calculate the lines in your head?

Giri's grenades

1/21/2023 – In the diagram position White had just calmly covered his knight g4 with 25.h3! and then after 25...exd4 powerfully set off for the final attack. Can you follow in his footsteps?
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Surprise

1/14/2023 – In the diagram position it is White to move. Black just played 48...Qe2??, a move that looks strong but allows White a surprising win. What should White do?
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Fatal decision

1/7/2023 – In the diagram position White just played 26.Rb1+. How would you parry the check spontaneously, with 26...Nb6 or with 26...Ka8? But you can also think a bit longer, because one of these moves leads straight to a loss...
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Long-distance goal

12/31/2022 – Black has a weak king and a weak back rank - but White's forced win from the diagram is also based on the a7 rook. You'll get it, I'm sure!
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First league tactics

12/24/2022 – In the diagram position Black threatens ...Rh8, but he doesn't have the sole right to use the h-file. White to play and win!
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In seventh heaven

12/17/2022 – Clear activity advantages for White in the diagram position - please find White's best continuation!
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Castling in the middlegame

12/10/2022 – In the diagram position Black finally wants to play ...0-0, but of course White still has something to say about that. 22.g4 or 22.Ra8+ - how would you start disruptive action?
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Olympic spotlight

12/3/2022 – In the diagram position, the fork 18...e4?? blundered the game for Black, but he did have a subtle way to get a clear advantage - enjoy the notes by Wesley So!
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