Taking a break

I'm taking a break from this blog, while I look for some more tactics to post in the future. Enjoy the tactics that are here!

- J.

Tactic 0234

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "elcapa"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r4rk1/pp3pp1/2p5/2b1PPp1/2P1Q3/3B3P/Pq4P1/R4R1K w - - 0 21"]

{White to move, black just played Qxb2. }
{Second best is Rab1 (1.43), best is f6 (8.09) }
1. f6 g6
2. e6 Bf2
3. exf7+ Rxf7
4. Qxg6+ Kf8
5. Qh6+ Kg8
6. Qxg5+ Kf8
7. Qh6+ Kg8
8. Rad1
*

Tactic 0233

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "hjk"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r2qkb1r/1pp2ppp/p3p3/3pn2n/2PP4/2N1P2P/PP3PP1/R1BQK2R w KQkq - 0 10"]

{White to move, black just played Nxh5. }
{Second best is cxd5 (0.00), best is dxe5 (0.97) }
1. dxe5 {Not Qxh5, because of Nd3+ and dxc4. }
1... Qg5 {Or g6, when cxd5 is good for white. }
2. cxd5 O-O-O {If Qxg2, then: }
(2... Qxg2
3. Rf1 g6
4. Qa4+ c6
5. Qg4 Qxg4
6. hxg4 Ng7
7. d6
)
3. g4 {The knight is trapped. }
3... exd5
4. gxh5 Qxe5
5. Qd4 Qxh5
6. Qg4+ Qxg4
7. hxg4
*

Tactic 0232

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "tloeber"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "3r1k2/7p/3N2p1/p1Q2p2/3n4/1P1R1PPK/1PP1q2P/8 b - - 0 35"]

{Black to move, white just played Kh3. }
{Second best is Ne6 (-4.45), best is Qf1+ (-11.04) }
1... Qf1+
2. Kh4 g5+
3. Kxg5 {If white doesn't take, then Qh3+ forces the issue. }
3... Ne6+
4. Kf6 Nxc5
*

Tactic 0231

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "Jacko01"]
[Black "jbennett"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "2r2r1k/pp1qpp1P/3p1bp1/3Nn3/4P1n1/P5Q1/1PPB4/2KR2NR b - - 0 19"]

{Black to move, white just played Nd5. }
{Second best is Nf2 (-3.86), best is Rxc2+ (-4.57) }
1... Rxc2+ {Nf2 is also interesting. If Qxf2, then Nd3+ wins }
{the queen. }
2. Kxc2 Qa4+
3. Qb3 Qxe4+
4. Kc1 Rc8+
5. Nc3 Qxh1
*

Tactic 0230

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "gberto1"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "2k4r/1bp4r/pp2R3/4pp2/1PPp3P/3B2P1/P4P2/2R3K1 w - - 0 24"]

{White to move, black just played fxe5. }
{Second best is Rxe5 (2.20), best is Bxf5 (4.64) }
1. Bxf5 Kd8 {The threat of Re8# (!) must be dealt with. }
2. Bxh7 Rxh7 {At the cost of the exchange. }
3. Rxe5
*

*** How to play ***

These tactics were taken from actual games. They vary in difficulty, and sometimes there is more than one good move, just like in real games. In all cases the two best moves are listed, along with their evaluation by Fritz. You should always strive to find the best move, and not settle for second best.

In some cases there are more than two winning moves, and when that happens then all the winning moves are listed. In a few cases the second best move is nearly as good as the best move, and in those cases you should give yourself credit for finding either one.

Here's how to get the most out of these tactics:
1) Look at the diagram, and read the line at the bottom that tells you whose move it is and what the last move was.
2) Think about the diagram for a few minutes, and try to find the best move. Try to imagine how the game might continue.
3) If you find what you think is the best move, double check it for mistakes, then scroll down to check out the answer.
4) If you can't find the move after a few minutes, then scroll down anyway to get the answer.
5) If your answer was wrong, or if you couldn't find the move, then after you look up the answer be sure to go back to the diagram and see if you understand why the given move or moves are the best ones.

You can also cut and paste the PGN into your favorite chess viewer or engine to play through the given continuation, and do your own analysis. I use the ChessBase Light viewer, which is free. You can get it from ChessBase Light 2007.

If the position is from a game that might be in a database somewhere, then I always include identifying information, such as the tournament and date, in addition to the players.

NEW: The latest version is ChessBase Light 2009, and it is still free. This viewer can also be used to search the online database of games that ChessBase maintains, if you want to find the original game that a tactic came from.

Have fun!

- J.

*** About this blog ***

The plan for this blog is to develop a collection of chess tactics. Each tactic will be presented in PGN notation, with embedded comments. The analysis is from Fritz 9, so it should be pretty accurate. The comments are mine, so there could be mistakes in them.

Feel free to comment on the tactics. I also welcome any suggestions for improving this blog.

If you want to post a tactic, send an email to jemsward (at) gmail (dot) com. You will have to have a google account (which is free), so that I can add you to the list of authors for this blog. Tactics should be posted using the same format that I am using, and please put comments in the PGN with your analysis of the tactic and the continuation.

Each tactics post starts with the diagram, followed by the PGN. To create the diagram, I'm using the free online chess position composer at chess diagram setup. The chess position can be input using FEN notation, so the diagrams are easy to create from the PGN using cut and paste. Here are the other options I am using in the composer:

Player to move unspecified
Smart flat set
Plain color
Color setup 1 (green and buff):
Dark squares: #487850
Light squares: #efe4c8

Color setup 2 (brown and buff):
Dark squares: #9c7438
Light squares: #efe4c8

Color setup 3 (blue and gray):
Dark squares: #506c90
Light squares: #e2e2e0

Color setup 4 (red and cream):
Dark squares: #984850
Light squares: #e4e0d0

- J.

Tactic 0229

Happy Halloween!

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "tloeber"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "3r1rk1/2q2p1p/2p1n1p1/p7/4N3/1P3PP1/1PPQ3P/3R1R1K w - - 0 26"]

{White to move, black just played Rad8. }
{Second best is Qc3 (1.98), best is Nf6+ (3.53) }
1. Nf6+ Kg7
2. Qc3 Qc8 {The queen moves to avoid being lost to the }
{discovered check. }
3. Nd7+ Kg8
4. Nxf8 Rxf8 {But white still wins the exchange. }
5. Qxa5
*

Tactic 0228

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "dennytru"]
[Black "jbennett"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r7/2b2k2/2b1pqp1/2Pp4/3P1n2/1RB2P2/P6Q/KR6 w - - 0 36"]

{White to move, black just played g6. }
{Second best is Qh7+ (0.10), best is Rb7 (0.75) }
1. Rb7 Bxb7
2. Rxb7 Rc8
3. Qh7+ Qg7 {If Kf8, then Qd7, which is stronger than Rxc7. }
4. Qxg7+ Kxg7
5. Ba5 Kf6
6. Bxc7
*

Out for a week

I'll be busy for the next week, so no new tactics for a while. Enjoy the ones that are here!

- J.

Tactic 0227

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "gberto1"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "2k3rr/1bpn1p2/pp2p3/5p2/1PPp4/3B2P1/P2B1P1P/2R1R1K1 b - - 0 19"]

{Black to move, white just played g3. }
{Second best is c5 (-3.47), best is Rxh2 (-5.77) }
1... Rxh2
2. Be4 {If Kxh2, then Rh8+ leads to mate. }
2... fxe4
3. Kxh2 {Now it's safe to take, with the diagonal blocked. }
3... Ne5
4. Be3 {Another sacrifice to keep the diagonal blocked. }
4... Nf3+
5. Kg2 Nxe1+
6. Rxe1 dxe3
7. fxe3 Rd8
*

Tactic 0226

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "mitre"]
[Black "jbennett"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "6k1/pb3pp1/1p5p/8/3R1n2/P1P3qP/1P3QP1/6K1 b - - 0 35"]

{Black to move, white just played Qf2. }
{Second best is Qxf2+ (-1.73), best is Nxh3+ (mate in 3) }
1... Nxh3+
2. Kh1 Nxf2+
3. Kg1 Qxg2#

Tactic 0225

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "bpasyn"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "3r1rk1/1p2qpp1/p1n2n1p/2p5/P1B1P1b1/2N2N2/1PP1QPPP/R3R1K1 b - - 0 17"]

{Black to move, white just played Qe2. }
{Second best is Rfe8 (0.00), best is Nd4 (-2.10) }
1... Nd4
2. Qf1 Bxf3 {Nxf3 is only about even (0.25): }
(2... Nxf3
3. gxf3 Bxf3
4. Re3
)
3. gxf3 {Best to take with the bishop first, because }
3... Nxf3+ {then the knight gets to fork the king and rook. }
{Nxc2, forking the rooks, is also good. }
4. Kh1 Rd4
5. Ba2 Nxe1
6. Rxe1 Rd2
*

Tactic 0224

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "Gilbert007MF"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "8/1p2RNpk/pr2n3/8/7P/2P2PK1/7P/8 w - - 0 39"]

{White to move, black just played Rb6. }
{Second best is h5 (1.06), best is Rxe6 (4.35) }
1. Rxe6 Rxe6
2. Ng5+ Kg6
3. Nxe6
*

Tactic 0223

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "PataNegra"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "8/8/Pb3k2/1P3P2/4K2p/7P/8/8 w - - 0 49"]

{White to move, black just played Bb6. }
{Second best is Kf4 (0.00), best is Kd5 (8.41). }
{Kd5 is the winning move, although Kf4 doesn't really draw, }
{since Kd5 can be played later. Fritz is just confused by the }
repetition, and thinks it is a draw. }
1. Kd5 Kxf5
2. Kc6 Bf2
3. b6 Kf4
4. a7 Kg3
5. a8Q Kxh3
6. Qc8+ Kg2
7. Qg4+ Bg3
*

Tactic 0222

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "ash2009"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "2b1rr1k/2p3pp/p6q/2N1N3/1Q1P1p2/8/PP3PPP/4R1K1 w - - 0 27"]

{White to move, black just played f4. }
{Second best is Qc4 (0.67), best is Nf7+ (11.75) }
1. Nf7+ Kg8 {Of course not Rxf7, because Rxe8+ leads to mate. }
2. Nxh6+
*

Tactic 0221

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "ddavid"]
[Black "jbennett"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "3rr1k1/6bp/p1q2pb1/8/1QN5/8/PP4PP/R1B2R1K b - - 0 27"]

{Black to move, white just played Qb4. }
{Second best is Rd4 (-2.10), best is Rb8 (-2.50) }
1... Rb8
2. Qc3 f5
3. Na5 Qxc3
4. bxc3 Bxc3 {Forking the rook and the knight. }
5. Bf4 Rb6
6. Bc7 Bxa5
7. Bxb6 Bxb6
*

Tactic 0220

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "PataNegra"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r1bq1rk1/pp2ppbp/3p2p1/4n3/3NPP2/1BN1Q3/PPP3PP/R4RK1 b - - 0 14"]

{Black to move, white just played f4. }
{Second best is Nc6 (-0.03), best is Ng4 (-1.84) }
1... Ng4
2. Qd3 Qb6
3. Nce2 e5
4. h3 Nf6
5. fxe5 dxe5
6. c3 exd4
*

Tactic 0219

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "yachikoham"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r4rk1/1p4b1/p2p3p/2pPnpq1/2P5/2N4P/PP2BQP1/2R2RK1 b - - 0 20"]

{Black to move, white just played Qf2. }
{Second best is Nxc4 (-2.70), best is Nd3 (-3.34). }
{Also good are Ng4 (-1.96) and Ng6 (-1.34), but Nd3 is best. }
1... Nd3 {Threatens Bd4, winning the queen. }
2. h4 Qe7
3. Qg3 {Now the queen is safe, }
3... Nxc1 {but black wins the exchange. }
4. Rxc1 f4
5. Qe1 Qe3+
6. Kh1 Rae8
*

Tactic 0218

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "Vertti"]
[Black "jbennett"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "3rr1k1/p4pp1/1p3b1p/1BpnNb2/8/P3P1B1/1P3PPP/1R3RK1 w - - 0 21"]

{White to move, black just played Bf5. }
{Second best is e4 (0.05) or Rdb1 (0.04), best is Bxe8 (1.53) }
1. Bxe8 Bxe5 {If Bxb1, then Bxf7+ is good: }
(1... Bxb1
2. Bxf7+ Kf8
3. Nc6 {Can't play Rxb1 immediately, because black can }
{trade off the knight and then take the bishop on f7. }
3... Kxf7
4. Nxd8+ Bxd8
5. Rxb1
)
2. Rbd1 Bxg3
3. hxg3 c4
4. Bb5 Bd3
5. Rfe1
*

Tactic 0217

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "esoteric"]
[Black "jbennett"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "7r/p1k1qp2/2p1b1r1/4Pp1p/2PN2p1/1P2Q3/P4PPP/R4RK1 w - h6 0 25"]

{White to move, black just played h5. }
{Second best is Nxf5 (3.79), best is Nxe6+ (6.49) }
1. Nxe6+ Kb8 {There are three ways for black to take the knight, but }
{none of them are any good. For example, if Rxe6: }
(1... Rxe6
2. Qxa7+ Kc8
3. Qa8+ Kc7
4. Qxh8
)
2. Nd4 h4
3. Nxf5 Qe6
4. Nd4 Qe7
5. Rad1
*

Tactic 0216

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "rafuller"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r4rk1/pb1n1pbp/1pq1p1p1/1N1pP3/2PP4/1P3N2/P3Q1PP/1B1R1RK1 w - - 0 19"]

{White to move, black just played d5. }
{Second best is Nd6 (2.68), Ng5 is also good (2.17), but best is }
{cxd5 (2.85). }
1. cxd5 Qxd5 {If exd5, then: }
(1... exd5
2. Rc1 Qe6 {Only safe square for the queen. }
3. Nc7 Qg4
4. Nxa8 Bxa8
5. Rc7
)
2. Nc7 Qa5
3. Nxa8 Bxa8
4. Be4 Bxe4
5. Qxe4 Qxa2
*

Tactic 0215

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "Dodgee"]
[Black "jbennett"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "2b2rk1/1pq1bpp1/p1n4p/4p2N/8/1B3N2/PPPQ1PPP/2KR4 b - - 0 22"]

{Black to move, white just played Nh5. }
{Second best is Rd8 (-1.39), best is Bg4 (-3.55) }
1... Bg4
2. Nxg7 {If Ng3, then Bxf3 threatens Bg5, pinning the queen. }
2... Kxg7
3. Qe3 Na5
4. Re1 Nxb3+
5. Qxb3 Rd8
*

Tactic 0214

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "bradipo"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "8/r1B3pp/8/P2KPk2/8/8/7P/8 w - - 0 44"]

{White to move, black just played Ra7. }
{Second best is Kc6 (1.23), best is Kd6 (7.31) }
1. Kd6 Ra6+
2. Bb6 Ra8
3. e6 g5
4. e7 g4
5. Kd7 g3
6. hxg3 Ke4
7. Bd8
*

Tactic 0213

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "serspb"]
[Black "jbennett"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "2rr2k1/p4p2/4q3/6p1/PpNpPpPn/1P3P2/2P2Q2/2KRR3 b - - 0 30"]

{Black to move, white just played Rhe1. }
{Second best is Rc6 (0.02), best is Rxc4 (-1.81) }
1... Rxc4 {This exchange sacrifice exposes blacks king and weakens }
{his pawns on the queenside. }
2. bxc4 Qxc4 {It also supports black's d4 pawn, which was hanging. }
3. Rd3 Qa2
4. Kd2 Qxa4
5. Rd1 Rc8
*

Tactic 0212

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "swagger"]
[Black "jbennett"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "R7/4k1p1/5n2/P7/8/5B1P/1r1p2P1/7K b - - 0 46"]

{Black to move, white just played Bf3. }
{Second best is Rb1+ (-0.76), best is Rb3 (-3.67) }
1... Rb3
2. Ra7+ {The bishop can't stay on the diagonal guarding the }
{queening square: If Bd1, then Rb1 wins the bishop, and if }
{Be2, then Re3 chases the bishop to d1, and Re1+ wins it. }
2... Kd6
3. Ra6+ Ke5
4. Rxf6 Kxf6 {With the knight gone, the bishop can stay on the diagonal. }
5. Be2 Ra3
6. g3 Rxa5
7. Kg2 Ra1 {Now advancing the pawn will win the bishop. }
*

Tactic 0211

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "BananaBreath"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r3q1k1/1Q3ppp/1p6/2b1N3/8/2B4P/P4PP1/6K1 w - - 0 30"]

{White to move, black just played Bc5. }
{Second best is Nd7 or Nd3 (-2.30), best is Nxf7 (0.25). }
{There is really only one good move here, otherwise white is losing. }
1. Nxf7 Bxf2+ {If Qxf7, then Qxa1+. }
{If Rxa2, then there is a pretty mate in 2: }
(1... Rxa2
2. Nh6+ gxh6 {If the king moves, then Qxg7 is mate. }
3. Qg7#
)
2. Kh1 Qxf7
3. Qxa8+ Qf8
*

Tactic 0210

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "elcapa"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "1r3rk1/1p3p2/p3p2q/3p4/4P1P1/1P1Bb1QP/PB4K1/5R2 w - - 0 34"]

{White to move, black just played cxd5. }
{Second best is g5 (2.04), best is Rf6 (3.60) }
1. Rf6 {If g5, then Qxg5 holds for a bit, but black soon gets }
{into trouble because of his exposed king and white's }
{well placed bishops. }
1... Qg5
2. h4 {The queen can't defend the bishop any longer. }
2... Qg7
3. Qxe3 Qxg4+
4. Kf1
*

Tactic 0209

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "swagger"]
[Black "jbennett"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r6k/ppn3pP/2p1b3/2qp2N1/5R2/2NB4/PP4PP/4R2K w - - 0 25"]

{White to move, black just played Bxe6. }
{Second best is b4 (1.80), best is Rxe6 (8.19) }
1. Rxe6 Rf8 {The f7 square must be defended to prevent Nf7 mate. }
2. Rxf8+ Qxf8
3. Rd6 {Threatening Rd8! }
3... g6 {To provide an escape square for the king. }
4. Rxg6
*

Tactic 0208

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "JDix2"]
[Black "jbennett"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "3b1rk1/1p3qp1/p1np3p/3NnB2/4P3/5P2/PPP1Q3/R3K2R b KQ - 0 24"]

{Black to move, white just played Qe2. }
{Second best is Bh4+ (-0.01), best is Nd4 (-1.89) }
1... Nd4 {In the Bh4+ line, after Rxh4 then Nd4 is played also. }
2. Qf2 Nxf5
3. O-O-O {If white takes the knight, then black can take the knight }
{on d5. }
3... Ne7
4. Nc3 Ba5
*

Tactic 0207

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "fershadpour"]
[Black "jbennett"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "4r1k1/1pp2rpn/p1q3Rp/4p3/3QP3/2NR3P/PPP3P1/6K1 w - - 0 22"]

{White to move, black just played dxe5. }
{dxe5 unveils a double attack: the queen threatens the rook on g6, }
{while the pawn attacks the queen on d4. What is white's best response? }
{Second best is Rxc6 (-3.25), best is Qa4 (-1.19) }
1. Qa4 {Pinning the queen, so if Qxc6, then Qxe8+, and things are even. }
{If Rxc6, then: }
(1. Rxc6 exd4 {And black still has a double attack. }
2. Rc4 dxc3
3. Rdxc3
)
1... Qxa4
2. Nxa4 Ng5
3. Nc5 Kh7 {Unfortunately the rook is trapped, so white will be }
{down the exchange, for a pawn. }
4. Rxg5 hxg5
5. Nxb7
*

Tactic 0206

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "swagger"]
[Black "jbennett"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r1b2rk1/ppn1q1pp/2p1P3/3p1PN1/7n/2NB4/PP1Q2PP/4RRK1 w - - 0 20"]

{White to move, black just played Nh4. }
{Second best is Kh1 (2.81), best is Nxh7 (5.12) }
{g3 (2.67) is also good, trapping the knight. }
1. Nxh7 Rxf5 {Not Kxh7, because f6+ wins the queen. }
2. Bxf5 Nxf5
3. Rxf5 Kxh7 {With the bishop gone, now the king can take the knight. }
4. Rf7 Qb4
5. Qd3+ Kh8
6. e7
*

Tactic 0205

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "timurx"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "8/p7/K1Pk3p/5p2/4nP2/P4B2/8/8 w - - 0 56"]

{White to move, black just played Ne4. }
{Second best is a4 (0.02), best is Bxe4 (4.45) }
1. Bxe4 fxe4
2. Kb7 {This is the point. If Kb7 was played immediately, }
{then Nc5+ drives the king away. }
2... e3
3. c7 e2
4. c8Q e1Q
5. Qd8+ Kc5
6. Qc7+ Kd4
7. Qd6+ Kc4
8. f5
*

Tactic 0204

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "nosurrender"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "4r1k1/3n1pp1/2pPpP1p/q2pP3/1p1P3N/r5P1/P2Q3P/R4RK1 w - - 0 23"]

{White to move, black just played Qa5. }
{Second best is Qd1 (2.03), best is fxg7 (13.92) }
1. fxg7 Rxg3+ {Kxg7 leads to mate: }
(1... Kxg7
2. Rxf7+ Kxf7
3. Qxh6 Nxe5
4. Rf1+
)
(1... Kh7 {Kh7 is also no help. }
2. g8Q+ Rxg8
3. Rxf7+ Rg7
4. Qc2+ Kh8
5. Rxg7 Nf8
6. Rf7
)
2. hxg3 Qa3
3. Rf3 Kxg7
4. Rxa3 bxa3
5. Qa5
*

Tactic 0203

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "Imaginator"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "2r1k2r/p3bppp/1n2p3/3nP3/3P4/2N2N2/2RB1PPP/2R3K1 b k - 0 19"]

{Black to move, white just played Rfc1. }
{Second best is Ba3 (-0.42), best is Nb4 (-1.51) }
1... Nb4
2. Rb2 {Only move for this rook, but it sets up a knight fork. }
2... Nd3
3. Rxb6 Nxc1
4. Rb2 a5 {Create an escape square for the knight. }
5. Kf1 Nd3
6. Rb7
*

Tactic 0202

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "timurx"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r1bqr1k1/pp1nbppp/2p1pn2/3p4/2PPP3/1PNB1N2/P4PPP/R1BQ1RK1 b - - 0 9"]

{Black to move, white just played e4. }
{Second best is dxc4 (-0.05), best is Bb4 (-1.77) }
1... Bb4
2. Nxd5 {The knight is needed to defend e4. If it just moves }
{away, then dxe4 forks the bishop and knight. If Qc2 }
{to defend the knight, then the bishop takes and after }
{the queen retakes, then dxe4. }
2... exd5
3. e5 Bc3
4. Rb1 Ne4
*

Tactic 0201

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "Yahsue"]
[Black "jbennett"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r2q1rk1/1p5p/p1p1bbN1/3p3Q/1P1P1P2/P3B3/6PP/R3R2K b - - 0 20"]

{Black to move, white just played Nxg6. }
{Second best is Bf7 (-0.75), best is Qe8 (-1.79) }
{hxg6 leads to a draw. }
1... Qe8 {Qe8 and Bf7 have the same idea, to pin the knight. }
{But Qe8 is better, because Bf7 allows f5: }
(1... Bf7
2. f5 Re8
3. Bg1 Kg7
4. Be3 Rxe3
5. Rxe3 hxg6
6. Qg4 Qc7
)
2. Nxf8 Qxh5
3. Nxe6 Re8
*

Tactic 0200

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "senilix"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r3k1nr/pp2qppp/2npb3/b7/2B5/BQp2N2/P4PPP/RN2R1K1 w kq - 0 13"]

{White to move, black just played Be6. }
{Second best is Nxc3 (1.37), best is Bxe6 (4.71) }
1. Bxe6 Kf8 {Not fxe6, because Rxe6 pins and wins the queen. }
2. Bxf7 Qxf7
3. Bxd6+ Nce7
4. Qxb7
*

Tactic 0199

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "Icon53"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r3k2r/ppp1qpp1/2n4p/8/3P2b1/2PQ1N2/P4PPP/R1B2RK1 w kq - 0 15"]

{White to move, black just played Bg4. }
{Second best is Rb1 (1.31), best is Re1 (3.14) }
1. Re1 Be6
2. Qb5 {If d5, then O-O-O pins the d-pawn. }
{Qb5 threatens d5 and also the pawn on b7. }
2... Rd8
3. Qxb7 Qd7
4. Ba3 Rb8
5. Qa6 Rb6
6. Qe2
*

Tactic 0198

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "dorsnorXL"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r2q1r2/1bp2pk1/p1nppnpp/1p6/3PN3/2PB1NQ1/PP3PPP/R4RK1 b - - 0 17"]

{Black to move, white just played Bd3. }
{Second best is Nxe4 (-1.77) or Nxd4 (-1.72), best is Nh5 (-2.36). }
{Nxd4 and Nxe4 are similar, because after Nxe4 Bxe4, Nxd4 is played. }
{This threatens to fork the king and queen, so there is no time for Bxb7. }
1... Nh5
2. Qh4 Qxh4
3. Nxh4 e5
4. dxe5 Nxe5
5. Bc2 Nc4
6. a4 f5
*

Tactic 0197

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "senilix"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r3k1nr/ppp1qppp/2np4/b3P3/2B3b1/BQp2N2/P4PPP/RN3RK1 w kq - 0 11"]

{White to move, black just played Bg4. }
{White has two good moves to choose from here. }
{Second best is exd6 (2.55), best is Qxb7 (2.99) }
1. Qxb7 {Forking the rook and the knight. }
{But exd6 is also interesting: }
(1. exd6 {Threatening Re1. }
1... Qd7
2. Re1+ Kd8
3. Ne5 Nxe5
4. Rxe5
)
1... Bxf3
2. gxf3 Rd8
3. exd6 cxd6
4. Qxc6+
*

Tactic 0196

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "Charger"]
[Black "jbennett"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r4rk1/pp2bpp1/1qp1bn1p/4Q1B1/8/2N5/PPP1BPPP/3R1RK1 w - - 0 14"]

{White to move, black just played h6. }
{Second best is Na4 (0.66), best is Bxh6 (1.25) }
1. Bxh6 Ne8 {If gxh6, then: }
(1... gxh6
2. Na4 Qb4 {Only safe move for the queen. }
3. Rd4 Ng4 {Now the queen has no moves at all. }
4. Bxg4 Qb5 {The knight sac opened up this square for the queen. }
5. Qg3 Bxg4
6. Rxg4+
)
2. Na4 Qb4
3. Rd4 Bd6
4. Qe3 Qa5
5. Bf4
*

Tactic 0195

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "cgs"]
[Black "jbennett"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "3r2k1/2Q2pp1/7p/8/8/4q1PK/PP6/2R5 b - - 0 32"]

{Black to move, white just played Qc7. }
{Second best is Rd5 (-1.90), best is Qe6+ (-13.16) }
1... Qe6+
2. g4 {King moves leads to mate: }
(2. Kh2 Rd2+ {If Kh4, then g5+ is mate in 2. }
3. Kg1 Qe3+
4. Kh1 Qf3+
5. Kg1 Qg2#
)
2... Rd3+
3. Qg3 Rxg3+
4. Kxg3 Qe3+
5. Kg2 Qxc1
*

Tactic 0194

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "Carchi"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r3kb1r/2qn1ppp/p1p1p3/1p2N3/2pP1NP1/4RQ1P/PP3P2/R5K1 w kq - 0 18"]

{White to move, black just played Nd7. }
{Second best is Nxc6 (2.48), best is Nxf7 (11.17) }
1. Nxf7 Qc8 {Of course not Kxf7, because it sets up a discovered }
{check that wins the queen. }
2. Nxh8 Nf6
3. Nxe6 Kd7
4. Qf5 Nd5
*

Tactic 0193

[Event "3rd NH Chess Tournament"]
[Site "Amsterdam NED"]
[Date "2009.08.29"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Caruana, F."]
[Black "Nielsen, PH."]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[EventDate "2009.08.20"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "7k/4Qr2/1p1p3p/8/3P1q1P/3b2p1/PP4P1/2R3RK w - - 0 29"]

{White to move, black just played Rf7. }
{Second best is Qd8+ (0.00), best is Rc8+ (2.60) }
{Actually, black is better after Qd8+, since he can play Rf8 and }
{then Be4, instead of repeating moves. }
1. Rc8+ Kh7
2. Rf8! {Taking advantage of the pins on the rook on f7. }
2... Rxe7
3. Rxf4 Re2
4. Rg4 Bc4
5. b3
*

Tactic 0192

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "kiyosaki"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r1b1r1k1/pppn1pbp/3pqnp1/4p1B1/2PPP3/2N2N1P/PP1QBPP1/R4RK1 w - - 0 11"]

{White to move, black just played Qe6. }
{Second best is Nb5 (1.35), best is Nd5 (1.99) }
1. Nd5! {Nb5 is nearly as good. The problem for black is that }
{Nc7 forks the two rooks and the queen, and c7 can't be }
{defended. }
1... Nxe4 {The second point of Nd5 is that if Nxd5, then }
{cxd5 traps the queen! }
2. Qc1 c6
3. Nc7 Nxg5
4. Qxg5 {Or just Nxe6, winning a queen for two pieces. }
4... Qe7
5. Qxe7 Rxe7
6. Nxa8
*

Tactic 0191

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "pandas"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "3r1rk1/ppq1bppn/2p5/6P1/2P1P2P/2n1Q3/PB2B3/1K1R3R w - - 0 26"]

{White to move, black just played Nxc3+. }
{Second best is Bxc3 (0.95), best is Qxc3 (4.04) }
1. Qxc3 f6 {To defend against mate. Other moves also lose a piece. }
2. g6 {The knight is trapped! }
*

Tactic 0190

[Event "3rd NH Chess Tournament"]
[Site "Amsterdam NED"]
[Date "2009.08.29"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Caruana, F."]
[Black "Nielsen, PH."]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[EventDate "2009.08.20"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "5r1k/4Q3/1p1p3p/8/3P1q1P/3b2p1/PP4P1/2R3RK b - - 0 28"]

{Black to move, white just played Rg1. }
{Second best is Ba6 (0.00), best is Be4 (-0.66) }
1... Be4
2. Rcf1 {The threat is Bxg2+, for example: }
(2. d5 Bxg2+
3. Rxg2 {Kxg2 is worse: }
(3. Kxg2 Qf2+
4. Kh3 Rg8 {Threatening mate. }
5. Qf6+ Qxf6
)
3... Qxc1+
)
2... Qxf1
3. Qxe4 Qf4
4. Qxf4 Rxf4
5. Rd1 Rf2
6. a3 Rxb2
*

Tactic 0189

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "kiyosaki"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r1bqr1k1/pppnppbp/3p1np1/8/2PPP3/2N2N1P/PP2BPP1/R1BQK2R w KQ - 0 8"]

{White to move, black just played Re8. }
{Second best is Be3 (0.37), best is e5 (2.14) }
1. e5 dxe5
2. dxe5 Nh5 {The rook on e8 blocks the knight's retreat. }
3. g4 {And now the knight is trapped. }
3... Nhf6
4. exf6 Bxf6
5. Be3
*

Tactic 0188

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jemmack"]
[Black "jbennett"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r7/pp2nqkp/5rp1/3p4/4p3/P1Pn2N1/1PQN1PPP/R4RK1 w - - 0 22"]

{White to move, black just played Qf7. }
{Second best is f3 (-0.13), best is Ngxe4 or Ndxe4 (0.65) }
1. Ngxe4 dxe4
2. Nxe4 Nf4
3. Nxf6 Qxf6
4. Qe4
*

Tactic 0187

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "carrotop"]
[Black "jbennett"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "1r6/1q2p2R/pk1p1r2/6Q1/b1p1P3/2P2P2/PP1R2P1/2K5 b - - 0 31"]

{Black to move, white just played Qg5. }
{Second best is Qc7 (-0.62), best is Qxe4 (-2.50) }
1... Qxe4!
2. Qh4 {If fxe4, then Rf1+ leads to mate. }
{Qh4 protects the rook and guards against Qe1+. }
2... Qxh4
3. Rxh4 Rc8
4. b3 Be8
5. bxc4 Bf7
*

Tactic 0186

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "Djedoviluk"]
[Black "jbennett"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "1k3r2/1b5p/3pp3/1p2b3/1Pp1P3/P4B2/4QKPq/1R1R4 b - - 0 33"]

{Black to move, white just played Kf2. }
{Second best is d5 (-16.04), best is Bg3+ (mate in 3). }
{There are other winning moves here as well, for example }
{Qh4+, Qf4, or Rf6, but this is a pretty mate. }
1... Bg3+
2. Ke3 Qh6+
3. Kd4 Be5#
*

Tactic 0185

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "Feif"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "1r3r1k/p1n4p/1p3N2/3p1q2/8/2Q2P2/PP5P/1K1R2R1 w - - 0 26"]

{White to move, black just played Qf5+. }
{Second best is Ka1 (0.31), best is Ne4+ (12.61) }
1. Ne4+ Rf6
2. Qxc7 Rg8
3. Rxg8+ Kxg8
4. Rxd5 Qg6 {If Qxf3, then Nxf6+ followed by Rd8+ is crushing. }
5. Rg5
*