Written by Robert Jamieson on 2nd Jul, 2010
If you are no good at tactics you are no good at chess. I’ve
just come back from a private chess lesson where my student showed me
some of her games and several times she had chances for an immediate win
but she missed the tactic. I suggested that she should play some
lightning (5 minute) chess to help develop her ability to spot those
tricky combinations.
Chess Kids now has it’s own on-line chess games site where you can
play lightning (or longer) chess games at any time against other chess
kids. Our beloved leader, the “Chess Guru” was playing on www.play.chesskids.com.au
last evening and he demonstrated that his tactics were finely tuned in a
nice attacking game against the best junior in Tasmania.
In the following position the Guru (playing White) is a piece down
but he is about to get back the exchange. Can he find a way to exploit
Black’s exposed King before the two black Bishops can make their
presence felt? What would you play as White?
White to play and win
ANSWER:
1.Qa3+! Kf6 2.Nxa8 Qxa8 (could try 2…g5 but 3.Rc5 threatening 4.Rxe5 is strong) 3.f4 Bb8 4.Qc3+ Kg6?? 5.Qg3+ and mate next move. A slower death was 4…Ke7 5.Rc7+ Bxc7 6.Qxc7+ Kf6 7.Qe5+ Ke7 8.Qg5+ f6 9.Qxg7+ etc.
