Wednesday’s winning 5-second tactics
Winning 5-sec Tactics!
The famous Tal-Fischer encounters of the 1959 Candidates Tournament in Yugoslavia revealed some deficits in the latter’s tactical toolbox . Fischer lost all 4 games with Tal! When he got back home Fischer immediately set to work to improve his tactics. And the hard work paid off! Fischer would never lose to Tal again in a tactical dogfight.
The moral of the story is obvious. Practice makes perfect! Today I present some 9 examples from the European Championship taking place in Georgia for you to test and improve your tactical skills. PGN solutions at the end. Good Luck!
gm Godena,M – Babukhadia,L
European Ch 17.3.2018
Let’s start our practice today with something obvious. Or atleast it is if you see it! The Black King is open and his pieces scattered. Ripe for the harvesting! White to play and win!
im Polivanov,A – Soyunlu,N
European Ch 18.3.2018
Here White’s pin on f6 combined with the Bishop on c2 must be decisive! But it is still necessary to find the correct move order, otherwise it is all in vain. White to play and win!
gm Dubov – gm Postny
European Ch19.3.2018
The youthful Russian Dubov is a master of psychology who fears nobody, not even defeat itself! Here he has toyed with the Israeli gm Postny, who forgot to castle. White to play and win!
gm Bologan – gm Mikaelyan,A
European Ch 20.3.2018
A typical double-edged position from a Benoni-Spanish formation. White is stronger on the Kingside and Black on the Queenside. Often victory only depends on who has the move! White to play and crush!
gm Krasenkov – im Zavgorodniy
European Ch 20.3.2018
Black has bravely taken a pawn on a2, thinking that his Queen is in no danger. And he is almost right! But in chess almost is never enough…White to play and snare the Black Queen!
gm Gabrielian,A – fm Martynov,R
European Ch 20.3.2018
The Black Kingside is exposed, and White has the two Bishops, plus the attack. Do you need more? No, but you always need to be precise in your move order. White to play and crush!
gm Paichadze,L – fm Can,I
European Ch 20.3.2018
A typical opposite-side castling game! In such fights, the initiative is everything. Making threats and counter-threats. But here Black is passive, allowing White to amass all of his pieces. White to play and crush!
gm Zhigalko,S – gm Sanikidze,T
European Ch 20.3.2018
What is the Black King doing in the corner at the end of a long diagonal? I am not sure, but if there is a reason for White’s success here, it must be this! White to play and crush!
gm Sanikidze,T – fm Eminov,O
European Ch 19.3.2018
Yet another example of opposite-side castling! Did you not know that castling short is safer? Certainly your insurance is less. Who moves first is always at advantage. White to play and crush!
PGN download