Pilnik’s Winning 5-sec Tactics
Grandmaster Herman Pilnik was one of South America’s top grandmasters in the 1950s and 1960s. Born in Germany in 1914, Pilnik’s family moved to Argentina in 1930, where he developed his great talent for the game.
Pilnik was awarded the IM title and GM title, respectively, in 1950 and 1952. A list of his best chess achievements is beyond the scope of this article, but Pilnik was capable of beating the strongest of grandmasters: his tournament victories over elite players such as Max Euwe, Bobby Fischer, Leonid Stein, Tigran Petrosian, and Vasily Smyslov fully demonstrate his skill and talent.
Let’s get started!
Argentina 1938
White to play and CRUSH!
Helsinki 1952
Black had just played his Queen to c6, offering to exchange Queens. What did Black overlook?
New York City 1954
White had just retreated his Bishop to b1, oblivious to Black’s plans. Black to play and CRUSH!
Argentina 1935
White has been completely outplayed and is about to be crushed. How did the game finish?
Argentina 1938
Another King floating around in the centre! Black to play and CRUSH!
Buenos Aires 1933
White to play and CRUSH!
Mar del Plata 1942
Of course White has a large advantage, but the point is to win brilliantly! White to play and CRUSH!
Buenos Aires 1946
Black had just moved his Queen from d8 to d5, showing that he did not fear the coming doubling of his pawns on f6. What did Black miss?
Vienna 1951
Black had just advanced his e-pawn, creating threats against the White pieces. What did Black overlook?
Buenos Aires 1959
A complicated fight! Both sides are fighting for the initiative, White on the Kingside and Black on the Queenside. In such games, havin g the move in a critical position makes all the difference. How should White proceed?
Vienna 1951
Black had just captured a piece on d3. Should White now recapture, then Black will castle with about an even game. What did Black overlook?
Mar del Plata 1942
A complicated fight! White has sacrificed a piece in order to expose the Black King, but it is not easy to make progress. White to play and crush!
Buenos Aires 1972
Black’s pieces simply do not have any king of coordination. How can White take advantage of this?
Buenos Aires 1934
Even material, but the difference is in the King positions. White is safe, while Black’s King is stuck in the centre. How can White energetically take advantage of this?
