0 Tactical Success

When I play blitz or rapid chess, I miss a lot. Even slower time controls do not prevent missing things. However, under time pressure, tactical mistakes are the norm. In the positions below, however, I found the correct move.* All come from one day's rapid play online.

Black to move

White to move

Black to move

I was hopelessly lost in the next game, but my opponent made a few errors to give me this nice position.

White to move

Black to move

*"Correct" is defined as playing the move that Stockfish prefers.

Detail: Tactical Success

0 Simple Deflection

Black to move

Black's pawn will promote. Alas, White managed to win this pawn and the game.

Detail: Simple Deflection

0 Two Exercises

Lesson of the Week

Knowledge of tactical motifs open a chess player's imagination to the possibilities. Accurate calculation verifies whether such possibilities should be played. These two exercises may prove difficult for scholastic players, but they are almost routine for strong class players. They both stem from play on the Free Internet Chess Server (FICS).

White to move

Black to move

Detail: Two Exercises