Today’s Winning 5-second Tactics!
Staying Focused
A tactic can be considered any unexpected blow designed to (temporarily) cripple the opponent or leave him vulnerable to a follow up attack.
Tactics are all about opportunity. In chess taking advantage of such an opportunity can immediately bring decisive consequences, and not surprisingly is one of the game’s most attractive features.
Let’s Get Started!
wgm Cori,D . – Moreno,F
Montcada 26.6.2017
Montcada 26.6.2017
gm Cuartas,J – Abhilash,R
Montcada 26.6.2017
Montcada 26.6.2017
Heliot,X – gm Lazarev,V
Gros 25.6.2017
Gros 25.6.2017
How should White play?Montcada is a strong open tournament, part of the Catalan Circuit. In the above position Black seems to have the advantage and is threatening to take on f4 and penetrate with his Queen and Rook. White can not stop this, it seems. What do you think?
White to play and win! The only weak point in Black’s game is his f6 pawn, but Black has that protected because of a ‘trick’. If White should take the pawn, then Black takes the Knight on c4, hitting the Queen and opening up the Rook on a6 to capture White’s Rook on f6. Nice trick! But you should not trust tricks!
White to play and crush! GM Lazarev is a very experienced player and a hard man to beat. His defensive skills are well known. His last move (…Re8) is designed to expell the White invader. You are White…isn’t there something you can do to keep the attack going?
Popov,J – gm Todorovic,G
Novi Sad 25.6.2017
Novi Sad 25.6.2017
David,A – Mladenovic,D
Novi Sad 26.6.2017
Novi Sad 26.6.2017
im Bellia,F – Vukovic,C
Novi Sad 27.6.2017
Novi Sad 27.6.2017
Black to play and win! The World Senior Team Ch is taking place right now in Novi Sad. There are 9-teams, with Russia being the favourite. In the diagram above, White seems to be defending adequately, but he has overlooked a small but important detail. Do you see it?
Black to play and win! Black has sacrificed a pawn for the initiative before White can castle. It now seems that his compensation is very thin, as his Rook is under attack and must now retreat (never a good idea when one should be attacking!). But look at the details…
White to play and crush! The Italian IM Bellia has a strong reputation as a dangerous attacker. Black’s last move has surrendered the centre, not a good idea against an attacker. Do you see any ideas for White?
gm L’Ami,E – gm Van Wely,L
Amsterdam 27.6.2017
Amsterdam 27.6.2017
Hortensius,L –wgm Peng,Z
Amsterdam 28.6.2017
Amsterdam 28.6.2017
Keetman,M –wgm Peng,Z
Amsterdam 26.6.2017
Amsterdam 26.6.2017
White to play and win! The Dutch_Championship is taking place right now in Amsterdam. Always a strong tournament, with two sections, one for male and the other from the women. In this position Black is about to be shocked. Do you see any shocking moves for White?
White to play and win! Both players are short of time and in the complications Black has given up material, for it now seems that Black has a perpetual check. But beware of making rash decisions when short of time!
Black to play and win! Opposite side castling always leads to sharp games, but there are risks. What happens, for instance, if it is your opponent who has the initiative? Well, it is too late to turn back. Do you see an idea for Black?
The pgn (with some notes) can be downloaded here.