Some EURO-2011 tactics
SPRAGGETT ON CHESS
Here are some quick tactical exercises from actual games played at the European Individual Championship in Aix Les Bains. Good luck! (solutions below)
Here are some quick tactical exercises from actual games played at the European Individual Championship in Aix Les Bains. Good luck! (solutions below)
EXAMPLE 1
POSITION AFTER WHITE’S 17th MOVE:
GM KOZUL
JADRIJEVIC
White’s last move (17.Rc1) was a mistake, but not an obvious one. How can Black take advantage of this opportunity and win material?
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EXAMPLE 2
POSITION AFTER BLACK’S 23rd MOVE:
STOCKMANN
GM EDOUARD
White has a strong attack, no doubt, but Black is still fighting. His last move (23…Qc7) bings in reinforcements to defend his g7 pawn. How does White put a quick end to Black’s resistance?
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EXAMPLE 3
POSITION AFTER BLACK’S 27th MOVE:
GM RUBLEVSKY
GM SWIERCZ
White had a strong attack but Rublevsky defended with care and precision. Now it seems as thought the attack has come to an end: 28.cxd3 Qxd3 both defends the mate (h7) and attacks the Rook on f1.
In the diagram above, how does White bail out and force a draw by perpetual check?
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EXAMPLE 4
POSITION AFTER WHITE’S 27th MOVE (27.c3):
GM POTKIN
TER SAHAKYAN
White is a piece up but Black has been busy creating threats. How does Black press home his attack?
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SOLUTIONS
1.) Black can win atleast the exchange with 17…Ndc3!; The Queen is in trouble as Black can throw in …Na4 and …Bd5.
2.) White wins with the surprising 24. Qh7ch!!
3.) White can get a draw with 28.f5! Bxf5 (forced) 29.Nxh7 Bxh7 30. Qf6ch with a perpetual.
4.) This is a nice finish. The game proceeded
27…Bxg5! 28.Qxg5 Rxc3ch!!
Taking the Rook allows a quick win after ….Qxc3ch 30.Bc2 Be4 etc
29. Bc2 (forced) Rxc2ch!! 30.KxR Rc8ch
Now the Queen, Rook and Bishop weave a mating net
31.Kb1 Be4ch 32. Ka1 Qxb4 33.Qe3 Rc5! 34.Rd3 Rb5!!
White resigns. After 35. Rb1 Bxd3 and …Ra5ch is curtains.
SPRAGGETT ON CHESS