Thursday’s winning 5-sec Tactics
Are you game today?
Hello Thursday readers! Are you up to today’s tactics challenge? Let’s hope so! Today’s examples are all from master and grandmaster games played at team championships this past week.
Russia, Italy and the German Bundesliga, to be precise. Some are easier than others, naturally, but the important thing is to try them all. Good luck! The pgn can be downloaded at the end.
It is also worth noting that some of my readers have difficulty seeing the entire interactive board. If this is your case change the ‘zoom’ on your computer screen to ‘100%’. On Chrome this can be done in the settings.
Let’s get started!
im Carlstedt,J – fm Meyer, F Bundesliga 30.4.2018
In a tense game and a tough fight, Black erred with his last move, Na7. This unexpectedly gives White the chance to get a big edge. What is White’s best move?
gm Huschenbeth – gm Bischoff Bundesliga 1.5.2018
It is always dangerous not to castle when you opponent is a grandmaster. And especially in the Sicilian Defence. White to play and crush!
gm Rapport – gm Bluebaum Bundesliga 1.5.2018
It is curious how some players are strongest in open positions, and the contrary in closed positions. Rapport is a genius in open positions. White to play and win!
gm Lagarde,M – gm Michalik,P Bundesliga 30.4.2018
What a chaotic position! Both sides attacking along open files, diagonals and using small sacs to increase their initiative. But in the end, only one player can win. White to play and win!
gm Handke,F – gm Heimann,A Bundesliga 29.4.2018
Nothing scarier than defending an attack of 2 Rooks and the Queen! Why? The short answer is because these pieces are so explosive! White to play and win!
im Shytaj,L – Lapiccirella,D Italia Tch 28.4.2018
One should never lightly disregard one’s development, especially when the opponent wants to beat you! Here the Black Bishop on f8 is blocking the Rook on h8. How can White exploit this?
im Borgo,G – fm Colmenares,A Italia Tch 1.5.2018
I tell my students never to allow the enemy place a Knight on f5 for free. Why? The Knight is a best! And besides,on f5 it is too close to the King! White to play and crush!
gm Artemiev,V – gm Sarana,A Russia Tch 1.5.2018
If White now exchanges Queens, then Black’s 3/1 Queenside majority fully compensates for the exchange. But White must be better in the above position. What should he do?
gm Potkin,V – gm Gelfand,B Russia Tch 2.5.2018
A battle between two truly great heavyweights! Material is balanced, and the immediate threats are defended against. But Gelfand’s King is more exposed. White to play and crush!
You can download the pgn HERE.