Tactical Magic

Beware the "Greek gift"

2011-10-07T15:13:00.000-07:00

Here's a game I played at my chess club last night. It features a kind of tactic known as the "Greek gift". See if you can find the best move for black after white plays 17. Rac1, and again after 19. Kg3.

- J.

Recent game

2011-06-11T01:32:00.000-07:00

Here's a game I played recently at the CalChess State Championship (in the A section):

An interesting combination starts after black's move 25 ... Raf8.

- J.

Taking a break

2009-11-14T13:49:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-05T17:54:00.001-08:00

[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

2009-11-04T17:40:00.001-08:00

[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

2009-11-03T18:03:00.001-08:00

[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

2009-11-02T20:03:00.001-08:00

[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

2009-11-01T18:15:00.000-08:00

[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 *

2009-11-01T06:00:00.000-08:00

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 *

2009-11-01T05:50:00.000-08:00

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

2009-10-31T19:53:00.001-07:00

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

2009-10-30T18:06:00.001-07:00

[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

2009-10-30T17:57:00.000-07:00

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

- J.

Tactic 0227

2009-10-29T18:26:00.001-07:00

[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

2009-10-28T19:38:00.001-07:00

[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

2009-10-27T19:02:00.000-07:00

[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

2009-10-26T21:08:00.000-07:00

[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

2009-10-25T20:19:00.001-07:00

[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

2009-10-24T18:35:00.001-07:00

[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

2009-10-23T19:32:00.001-07:00

[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

2009-10-23T10:20:00.001-07:00

[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

2009-10-21T19:46:00.001-07:00

[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

2009-10-20T18:40:00.001-07:00

[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

2009-10-19T19:21:00.001-07:00

[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

2009-10-18T20:22:00.001-07:00

[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

2009-10-17T20:00:00.001-07:00

[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

2009-10-16T20:54:00.000-07:00

[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

2009-10-15T18:04:00.000-07:00

[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

2009-10-14T18:44:00.001-07:00

[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

2009-10-13T19:19:00.001-07:00

[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

2009-10-12T19:21:00.000-07:00

[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

2009-10-11T18:12:00.000-07:00

[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

2009-10-10T18:21:00.001-07:00

[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

2009-10-09T19:52:00.001-07:00

[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

2009-10-08T18:00:00.001-07:00

[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

2009-10-07T19:26:00.000-07:00

[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

2009-10-06T18:11:00.001-07:00

[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

2009-10-05T20:17:00.001-07:00

[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

2009-10-04T19:25:00.001-07:00

[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

2009-10-03T22:05:00.000-07:00

[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

2009-10-02T18:38:00.001-07:00

[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

2009-10-01T15:20:00.000-07:00

[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

2009-09-30T18:52:00.001-07:00

[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

2009-09-29T20:37:00.001-07:00

[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

2009-09-28T20:04:00.001-07:00

[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

2009-09-27T21:28:00.001-07:00

[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

2009-09-26T20:01:00.001-07:00

[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

2009-09-25T20:25:00.001-07:00

[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

2009-09-24T23:46:00.000-07:00

[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

2009-09-23T19:12:00.001-07:00

[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

2009-09-22T18:46:00.000-07:00

[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

2009-09-21T19:28:00.000-07:00

[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

2009-09-20T20:13:00.001-07:00

[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

2009-09-19T20:42:00.000-07:00

[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

2009-09-18T20:33:00.001-07:00

[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

2009-09-17T17:42:00.001-07:00

[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
*

Tactic 0184

2009-09-16T19:28:00.000-07:00

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "carrotop"]
[Black "jbennett"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r1bq1rk1/pp2ppbp/2np2p1/4n3/3NP3/1BN2P1P/PPP3P1/R1BQK2R b KQ - 0 11"]

{Black to move, white just played f3. }
{Second best is Qb6 (-0.49), best is Nxd4 (-4.07) }
1... Nxd4
2. h4 {If Qxd4, then Nxf3+ wins the queen. }
2... Qa5
3. Bd2 Nec6
4. h5 Nxb3
5. axb3 Qe5
*

Tactic 0183

2009-09-15T20:25:00.001-07:00

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "Hanke"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r1bq1rk1/2p2ppp/p2b4/1p6/3P4/1BP4P/PP3nP1/RNBQR1K1 w - - 0 15"]

{White to move, black just played Nxf2. }
{Second best is Qc2 (0.36), best is Qf3 (1.84) }
1. Qf3 {If Kxf2, then: }
(1. Kxf2 Qh4+
2. Kf1 Bxh3
3. Re3 Bg4
4. Qe1 Qh1+ {Draw by perpetual check: }
5. Kf2 Qh4+
6. Kg1 Qh2+
7. Kf1
)
1... Qh4
2. Qxf2 Bh2+
3. Kf1 Bg3
4. Qd2 Qf6+
5. Kg1 Bxe1
6. Qxe1
*

Tactic 0182

2009-09-14T20:00:00.000-07:00

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "gberto1"]
[Black "jbennett"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "6k1/6r1/p7/2p4n/3pr3/1P6/P1PKN1R1/6R1 w - - 0 34"]

{White to move, black just played Rxg7. }
{Second best is Rg5 (1.24), best is Rxg7+ (1.52) }
1. Rxg7+ Nxg7
2. Rg5 {The c pawn can't be saved! }
2... Kf7
3. Rxc5
*

Tactic 0181

2009-09-13T20:18:00.001-07:00

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "frakinyov"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r1b1r1k1/5p1p/p2p2pb/1pqP1P2/2p1P1P1/2N1NQ2/PP2B1P1/5R1K w - - 0 25"]

{White to move, black just played Bh6. }
{Second best is g5 (-1.89), best is fxg6 (0.09) }
1. fxg6 Rf8 {if fxg6 or hxg6, then Qf7+ wins the rook on e8. }
2. gxf7+ Kh8
3. g5 Bxg5
4. Nc2
*

Tactic 0180

2009-09-12T22:05:00.001-07:00

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "Pawnscum"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "2rqr1k1/1p1b1p2/p3pnpp/n3N3/P2PP3/B2Q4/2B2PPP/R4RK1 w - - 0 18"]

{White to move, black just played a6. }
{Second best is Rfb1 (2.46), best is Nxg6 (2.48) }
1. Nxg6 {Since Rfb1 is just as good, here is that line: }
(1. Rfb1 Bc6
2. Qf3 b5
3. Bc5 Nb7
4. Nxc6 Rxc6
5. axb5 axb5
6. e5
)
1... Rxc2 {Of course Nxg6 is more interesting. If fxg6, then: }
(1... fxg6
2. e5 Ne4 {Sacrifice the knight to get some protection for g6. }
3. Qxe4 Qg5
4. Qxg6+ Qxg6
5. Bxg6
)
2. Ne7+ Rxe7
3. Bxe7 Qxe7
4. Qxc2
*

Tactic 0179

2009-09-11T21:18:00.001-07:00

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "metp"]
[Black "jbennett"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "6n1/p2k4/1p1Pp3/6b1/2N3P1/5K2/2r2B2/3R4 w - - 0 35"]

{White to move, black just played Rxc2. }
{Second best is Be3 (-1.21), best is Ne5+ (2.69) }
1. Ne5+ Kd8 {If Kc8, then: }
(1... Kc8
2. d7+ Kb7 {If black tries to stop the pawn with Kc7, then: }
(2... Kc7
3. Nf7 Bd8
4. Bg3+ {Black loses the bishop, and the pawn queens }
{anyway. }
)
3. Nf7 Be7
4. d8Q Bxd8
5. Nxd8+ Kc8
6. Nxe6
)
2. Nf7+ Kd7
3. Nxg5
*

Tactic 0178

2009-09-10T17:01:00.001-07:00

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "fanwink"]
[Black "jbennett"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "5b2/p5k1/1p2pN2/3pP1p1/3P1nP1/3R1N2/PP6/2rB2K1 w - - 0 35"]

{White to move, black just played Nf4. }
{Second best is Rd2 (0.78), best is Nh5+ (3.75) }
1. Nh5+ {Rd2 is met by Bb4, and the bishop on d1 is lost. }
1... Nxh5 {Better to eliminate the attacking knight. }
2. gxh5 Kh6
3. Nh2 Rb1
4. b3
*

Tactic 0177

2009-09-09T20:43:00.000-07:00

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "dorsnorXL"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "8/2pR2bk/p1r3qp/1p6/5n2/1R5P/P5P1/5Q1K b - - 0 39"]

{Black to move, white just played Qf1. }
{Second best is Rc2 (-5.61), best is Rc1 (leads to mate). }
{There are many good moves here, including Nxg2, Nh5, and Qe4. }
{But Rc1 is clearly the strongest. }
1... Rc1!
2. Rxg7+ {Of course, if Qxc1, then Qxg2#. }
2... Qxg7
3. Kh2 {If Rb1, then Rxb1, and if Rb2, then Rxf1+. }
3... Rxf1
*

Tactic 0176

2009-09-08T21:00:00.000-07:00

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "timurx"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "2r2rk1/1p2bpp1/pq2p2p/1n1pP2P/3P2P1/1PPQ1N2/P3N2K/1R4R1 w - - 0 26"]

{White to move, black just played Nb5. }
{Second best is c4 (0.51), best is g5 (1.78) }
1. g5 Kh8 {If hxg5, then: }
(1... hxg5
2. Nxg5 Bxg5
3. Rxg5 Kh8
4. Rbg1 Nd6
5. exd6 Qxd6+
6. R1g3 Rg8
7. Qf3
)
2. gxh6 gxh6
3. c4 Na3
4. Qe3 Kh7
5. Rbc1
*

Tactic 0175

2009-09-07T20:41:00.001-07:00

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "Tharmax"]
[Black "jbennett"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "8/PR6/4p3/1P2k3/5pp1/2P2P2/r5PK/8 b - - 0 45"]

{Black to move, white just played Kh2. }
{Second best is Kd5 (6.82), best is gxf3 (0.00) }
1... gxf3 {After this, white has several replies, but they }
{all seem to end in a draw. For example: }
2. a8Q
(2. Rb6 Rxa7
3. gxf3 Rc7
4. Rc6 Rxc6
5. bxc6 Kd6
6. Kh3 Kxc6
)
(2. Kg1 fxg2
3. b6 f3
4. Rg7 Ra1+
5. Kf2 Kf4
6. Rxg2 Ra2+ {Perpetual check follows. }
)
2... Rxa8
3. gxf3 Rc8
4. Rh7 Rxc3
5. b6 Rb3
*

Tactic 0174

2009-09-06T19:27:00.001-07:00

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "dorsnorXL"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "8/2pR1Rbk/p5qp/1p6/7n/7P/P1r5/5Q1K w - - 0 42"]

{White to move, black just played Nh4. }
{There is only one good move here. }
{Second best is Qd3 (-6.21), best is Rxg7+ (8.00) }
1. Rxg7+ Qxg7
2. Qd3+ {The key move, now black is lost, for example: }
2... Ng6
3. Rxg7+ Kxg7
4. Qxc2
*

Tactic 0173

2009-09-05T21:54:00.001-07:00

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "DCoppola"]
[Black "jbennett"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "6k1/5p1p/6p1/pN1p4/7P/3Rn1P1/6PK/r7 b - - 0 34"]

{Black to move, white just played Rd3. }
{Second best is Rb1 (-4.56), best is Ng4+ (mate in 3) }
1... Ng4+ {OK, so black is winning anyway, but this is still a }
{pretty mating pattern. }
2. Kh3 Nf2+
3. Kh2 Rh1#
*

Tactic 0172

2009-09-04T22:06:00.000-07:00

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "jemmack"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "7k/pp1b1qp1/2p1p2p/3PPr2/2P1Q3/P4R2/1P1B2PP/6K1 w - - 0 33"]

{White to move, black just played Bd7. }
{Second best is d6 (1.47), best is Rxf5 (2.49) }
1. Rxf5 {Simplifies to a won ending. }
1... Qxf5 {If exf5, then: }
(1... exf5
2. e6! {Now if fxe4, then exf7, and the pawn will queen. }
2... Qh5
3. Qe3 {And black will have to give up the bishop }
{to stop the center pawns. }
)
2. Qxf5 exf5
3. e6 Bc8
4. a4
*

Tactic 0171

2009-09-03T18:13:00.001-07:00

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "ChessNE1"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r2q1rk1/ppp2ppp/3b2N1/3n1Q2/3P4/5N2/PB3PPP/R3R1K1 b - - 0 20"]

{Black to move, white just played Nxg6. }
{Second best is Bxh2+ (2.11), best is hxg6 (-0.95) }
1... hxg6 {Not fxg6, because of Qxd5+ }
2. Qd3 {Not Qxd5, because of Bxh2+ }
2... Re8
*

Tactic 0170

2009-09-02T22:17:00.001-07:00

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "DCoppola"]
[Black "jbennett"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "2r2rk1/5ppp/p2p4/1p1n2q1/3N4/2PQ3P/P4PP1/2R1R1K1 b - - 0 21"]

{Black to move, white just played Qd3. }
{Second best is b4 (-1.68), best is Qxg2+ (-4.86) }
1... Qxg2+
2. Kxg2 Nf4+ {The point: this fork wins the queen back. }
3. Kf1 Nxd3 {And it also forks the two rooks! }
4. Nf5 Rc5 {Don't allow white's knight to fork. }
5. Nxd6 Nxe1
6. Kxe1
*

Tactic 0169

2009-08-28T21:48:00.001-07:00

[Event "Pfalz-chA"]
[Site "Bad Bergzabern"]
[Date "1997.??.??"]
[White "Nazarenus, Olaf"]
[Black "Hoegerl, Gerd"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C34"]
[WhiteElo "2250"]
[BlackElo "2270"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r2qk2r/p4pp1/2pp3p/1p4b1/2nPP3/1PPQ1P1N/P1B1K3/R6R b kq - 0 19"]

{Black to move, white just played b3. }
{Second best is Na3 (-0.43), best is Nb2 (-8.79) }
1... Nb2 {Where can the queen go? }
*

Tactic 0168

2009-08-27T18:13:00.001-07:00

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "ChessNE1"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r2q1rk1/ppp1bppp/3p1n2/4P3/1n1P2b1/3B1N2/P1QN1PPP/R1B1R1K1 w - - 0 14"]

{White to move, black just played Nb4. }
{Second best is Qb1 (-1.14), best is exf6 (2.75) }
1. exf6 Bxf6 {If Nxc2, then: }
(1... Nxc2
2. fxe7 Nxe1 {If Qd7, then: }
(2... Qd7
3. exf8Q+ Kxf8
4. Bxc2 {And white has a rook and three pieces for a queen. }
)
3. exd8Q Raxd8
4. Nxe1 {And white has three pieces for a rook. }
)
2. Bxh7+ Kh8
3. Qb3 Kxh7
4. Qxb4
*

Tactic 0167

2009-08-26T20:04:00.000-07:00

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "DCoppola"]
[Black "jbennett"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "2r2rk1/5ppp/p2p4/1p1n1q2/8/2P2N1P/P4PP1/2RQR1K1 w - - 0 20"]

{White to move, black just played Nxd5. }
{Second best is Nh4 (-0.49), best is g4 (1.69) }
1. g4! Nxc3 {There is no safe square where the queen can move and still }
{defend the knight. }
2. Rxc3 Qf6
3. Ra3 Ra8
4. Nd4 b4
5. Rf3
*

Tactic 0166

2009-08-25T18:04:00.001-07:00

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "optional"]
[Black "jbennett"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r4rk1/p1BN1ppp/5b2/8/6b1/2p5/PP3PPP/RN2R1K1 b - - 0 20"]

{Black to move, white just played Nd7. }
{Second best is Bxd7 (0.58), best is cxb2 (-1.80) }
1... cxb2
2. Nxf6+ gxf6
3. Nd2 bxa1Q
4. Rxa1
*

Tactic 0165

2009-08-24T19:53:00.000-07:00

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "MontanaSky"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "2r1r1k1/7p/p2p2p1/1b1P3P/1p2N2b/3pKP2/PP4P1/2RR1N2 b - - 0 29"]

{Black to move, white just played Nxe4. }
{Second best is Rc2 (-0.90), best is Rxe4+ (-6.20) }
1... Rxe4+!
2. fxe4 {If Kxe4, then it is mate in 4: }
(2. Kxe4 Re8+
3. Kf4 g5+
4. Kf5 Bd7+
5. Kf6 g4#
)
2... Bg5+
3. Kf3 Rxc1
4. Rxc1 Bxc1
*

Tactic 0164

2009-08-23T20:53:00.000-07:00

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "cj1"]
[Black "jbennett"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "2Q1k1rr/p7/Pp1q4/2pb4/3p1P2/2P1P2P/1P4PK/R4R2 b - - 0 34"]

{Black to move, white just played Qc8+. }
{Second best is Kf7 (-1.54) or Qd8 (-1.16), best is Ke7 (-9.33) }
1... Ke7! {Black has a threat of Rxg2+, followed by Rxh3#. }
{Ke7 is the only move that doesn't allow white enough }
{time to defend g2. For example, if Qd8: }
(1... Qd8
2. Qxd8+ Kxd8
3. Rg1
)
(1... Kf7 {And if Kf7, then: }
2. Qf5+ Ke7
3. Rg1
)
2. Qxg8 Rxg8
*

Tactic 0163

2009-08-22T21:05:00.001-07:00

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "forense"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "4r3/1pq4p/p5k1/2P1rp2/4pR2/2Q4P/P4R2/6K1 w - - 0 31"]

{White to move, black just played dxe4. }
{Second best is Rh4 (-1.07), best is Qg3+ (7.93) }
1. Qg3+ Kf6 {If the king moves to the h file, then Rh4 is mate. }
2. Rxf5+ Rxf5 {If Ke6, then Rf6+ forces the king back to the 7th }
{rank, and then Re7+ wins the queen. If the king goes }
{to d5 after Re6+, then Qb3+ is mate in 4. }
3. Rxf5+ Kxf5
4. Qxc7
*

Tactic 0162

2009-08-21T19:48:00.001-07:00

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "MontanaSky"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "2r1r1k1/2qb1p1p/p2p2p1/3P3P/1p2P2b/3pNPN1/PP3QP1/R2R2K1 b - - 0 24"]

{Black to move, white just played Red1. }
{Second best is Qb6 or Qa7 (-1.17), best is f5 (-2.31) }
1... f5!
2. f4 {To stop f4, which wins a knight. If exf5, then Bxg3 also }
{wins a knight, because of the overworked queen. }
2... fxe4
3. hxg6 hxg6
*

Tactic 0161

2009-08-20T17:33:00.001-07:00

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "Vague1"]
[Black "jbennett"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "6k1/pb4p1/3Np2p/1p1nPp2/3P3P/P7/B1K3P1/8 b - - 0 32"]

{Black to move, white just played Kxc2. }
{Second best is Ba8 (0.36), best is Bc6 (-1.01) }
1. Bc6 {The only move that defends everything. }
1... Bxd5 Bxd5 {Take back with the bishop, so that g2 is attacked. }
2. g3 a6
3. Kc3 g5
4. hxg5 hxg5
*

Tactic 0160

2009-08-19T20:54:00.001-07:00

[Event "Arctic Chess Challenge 2009"]
[Date "2009.08.01"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Rasmussen, Allan Stig"]
[Black "Robson, Ray"]
[WhiteElo "2536"]
[BlackElo "2491"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "8/3r1pp1/8/p4PPB/P1p5/1pN1n3/1P3k2/1RK5 b - - 0 39"]

{Black to move, white just played Bh5. }
{Second best is Nxf5 (-1.11), best is Ke1 (-4.49) }
1... Ke1! {Black is down a piece, but is winning due to the mating threats. }
{This simple king move tightens the noose around white's king. }
2. Ra1 {Ra1 is the suggested continuation from Fritz. }
{The actual game went like this: }
(2. f6 gxf6
3. gxf6 Rd2
4. Ra1 Rc2+
5. Kb1 Nf1 {and white resigned. If white tries Ne4 to stop the mate, then }
{Nd2+, and after the exchange on d2, Rc1# can't be stopped. }
)
2... Rd2
3. Kb1 Rc2
4. Ra3 Nf1
5. Rxb3 cxb3
*

Tactic 0159

2009-08-18T22:36:00.001-07:00

[Event "Bay Area Chess 90"]
[White "Yu, Leland"]
[Black "Bennett, Jim"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "6k1/r4pp1/pb5p/1pp2q2/8/1P3B1P/P3QPP1/R5K1 w - c6 0 28"]

{White to move, black just played c5. }
{Second best is Re1 (-0.77), best is Qe8+ (8.63) }
1. Qe8+ Kh7
2. Be4 {Check followed by pinning and winning the queen. }
{An obvious tactic, but pretty. }
2... Qxe4
3. Qxe4+ g6
*

Tactic 0158

2009-08-17T19:31:00.000-07:00

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "cacaco"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "7k/8/p4qp1/1p1pR2p/3P1r2/2P2PNb/PP2Q2P/6K1 w - - 0 30"]

{White to move, black just played Qf6. }
{Second best is Nh1 (0.99), best is Nxh5 (3.72) }
1. Nxh5 gxh5
2. Rxh5+ Kg7
3. Rxh3
*

Tactic 0157

2009-08-16T22:40:00.000-07:00

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "harry143"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "4rrk1/pp4pp/2pq4/3p1P2/3P2n1/1B2b1N1/PPP1Q1PP/R4R1K b - - 0 19"]

{Black to move, white just played Qe2. }
{Second best is h5 (-1.87), best is Nxh2 (-5.00) }
1... Nxh2
2. Kxh2 Re4
3. Qh5 Rf6
4. Rf3 Rh6
5. Qh3 Rxh3+
6. gxh3 Bxd4
*

Tactic 0156

2009-08-15T20:14:00.000-07:00

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "ThePawnSnatcher"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "2q3k1/p2b1pp1/1p6/6Q1/8/3R4/5P1K/8 w - - 0 42"]

{White to move, black just played Bd7. }
{Second best is Kg3 (-0.60), best is Qe7 (2.53) }
1. Qe7 Qc7+ {If the bishop moves, then Rd8+ wins the queen. }
2. Rd6 Qc5 {Now the bishop can't move because it is pinned against the queen. }
3. Qd8+ Be8
4. Qxe8+ Kh7
*

Tactic 0155

2009-08-14T22:30:00.001-07:00

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "cacaco"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "4q2k/6pp/p7/1p1p4/3P1r2/2P2P1b/PP3Q1P/R4NK1 w - - 0 26"]

{White to move, black just played Qxe8. }
{Second best is Re1 (0.63), best is Qg3 (1.59) }
1. Qg3 {Forks the rook and bishop. }
1... Qg6 {Only defense is to pin the queen. }
2. Qxg6 hxg6
3. Kf2 g5
4. Kg3 Rh4 {Fork again, but now black can defend. }
5. Ne3
*

Tactic 0154

2009-08-13T21:24:00.000-07:00

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "harry143"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "rnbqk2r/ppp1b1pp/5n2/3pNP2/4p3/1BN5/PPPP1PPP/R1BQK2R w KQkq - 0 8"]

{White to move, black just played Be7. }
{Second best is Bxd5 (1.51), best is Nxd5 (2.56) }
1. Nxd5 Bd6 {If Nxd5, then Qh5+, and black is in big trouble. }
2. d4 exd3
3. Nxd3 Bxf5
4. Bg5
*

Tactic 0153

2009-08-12T21:04:00.001-07:00

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "ThePawnSnatcher"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "5rk1/p4ppp/1p1Q4/4N3/3p2P1/7P/bq3PK1/4R3 w - - 0 27"]

{White to move, black just played Bxa2? }
{Second best is Re4 (-2.06), best is Qxf8+ (mate in 3). }
1. Qxf8+ {A very nice queen sac mate, that I missed in the game. }
1... Kxf8
2. Nd7+ Kg8
3. Re8#
*

Tactic 0152

2009-08-11T19:28:00.001-07:00

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "piasprong"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "2kr3r/p2b1pp1/2pp1q2/2b1n2p/2B2B2/2N3QP/PPP2PP1/R4RK1 w - - 0 16"]

{White to move, black just played Ne5. }
{There are two good moves in this position. }
{Third best is Na4 (0.95), best is Ba6+ or Ne4 (4.07) }
1. Ba6+ {Ba6+ and Ne4 can be played in either order. }
1... Kc7
2. Ne4 Qg6
3. Nxc5 Qxg3 {If dxc5, then Bxe5. }
4. fxg3 f6
5. Nb3
*

Tactic 0151

2009-08-10T20:08:00.001-07:00

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "Lorets"]
[Black "jbennett"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "8/8/3r2b1/pNP3p1/8/K3k3/P7/8 w - - 0 47"]

{White to move, black just played Rxd6. }
{Second best is cxd6 (-2.04), best is Nxd6 (0.0) }
1. Nxd6 Bh5
2. c6 {The point: after cxd6, the bishop can stop the pawn easily. }
2... Bg4
3. c7 Be6
4. c8Q Bxc8
5. Nxc8 g4
6. Ne7
*

Tactic 0150

2009-08-09T20:27:00.001-07:00

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "ThePawnSnatcher"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "4r1k1/pp3ppp/6b1/2b5/2Pp2P1/3P1QBP/PP3PK1/RN2q3 b - - 0 19"]

{Black to move, white just played c4. }
{Second best is Re6 (-2.63), best is Qc1 (-3.98) }
1... Qc1! {The b2 pawn can't be defended, and then the rook is trapped. }
2. Bf4 Qxb2
3. Nd2 Qxa1
4. Nb3 Qxa2
5. Nxc5 {White manages to get some material back. }
5... b6
*

Tactic 0149

2009-08-08T20:12:00.000-07:00

[Event "13th Melody Amber Rapid"]
[Site "Monte Carlo MNC"]
[Date "2004.03.26"]
[EventDate "2004.03.20"]
[Round "6"]
[Result "1-0"]
[White "Loek Van Wely"]
[Black "Alexander Morozevich"]
[ECO "D09"]
[WhiteElo "2617"]
[BlackElo "2732"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "5r1k/2p1q1p1/1r5p/1PRnNb2/1n1pNP2/Q5P1/6BP/4R1K1 b - f3 0 29"]
{Black to move, white just played f4. }
{Second best is Bxe4 (0.22), best is Nc2 (-2.17) }
1... Nc2
2. Qb2 {Rxc2 is no good, because the rook is pinned. }
2... Nxe1
3. Rxd5 Nxg2
4. Qxg2 c5
5. Nxc5 Rxb5
*

Tactic 0148

2009-08-07T22:41:00.000-07:00

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "tjh54"]
[Black "jbennett"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "5r1k/p3Qpqp/3p1N2/8/2rn4/8/PPP3PP/R3R2K b - - 0 22"]

{Black to move, white just played Nf6. }
{Second best is Nf5 (0.21) or Nxc2 (0.23), best is Rxc2 (-0.89) }
1... Rxc2 {Threatens Qxg2#. }
2. Qxf8+ Qxf8
3. Re8 {Pinning the queen. }
3... Qxe8
4. Nxe8 d5
5. Nf6 Rxb2
6. Nxd5 Nc2
7. Rf1 Rxa2
*

Tactic 0147

2009-08-06T18:58:00.001-07:00

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "bonden"]
[Black "jbennett"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "3r1rk1/p1q1p1bp/1p3pp1/2p1n3/3PN3/2P1P1P1/PP4KP/1R1QNR2 b - - 0 18"]

{Black to move, white just played d4. }
{Third best is Bh6 (-1.87), best is Qc6 (-4.57), or Qb7 (-3.20) }
1... Qc6
2. Qc2 Ng4 {Threatens to fork the king and queen. }
3. Rf3 Bh6
4. Kg1 Nxe3
5. Qd3 c4 {And white can't defend the knight any more. }
*

Tactic 0146

2009-08-05T22:37:00.001-07:00

[Event "13th Melody Amber Rapid"]
[Site "Monte Carlo MNC"]
[Date "2004.03.26"]
[EventDate "2004.03.20"]
[Round "6"]
[Result "1-0"]
[White "Loek Van Wely"]
[Black "Alexander Morozevich"]
[ECO "D09"]
[WhiteElo "2617"]
[BlackElo "2732"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "2b2r1k/2p2qp1/1rn4p/2Rn4/1P1p4/Q4NP1/3N1PBP/4R1K1 w - - 0 26"]

{White to move, black just played Nd5. }
{Second best is b5 (0.88), best is Rxd5 (1.73) }
1. Rxd5 {Better than b5, which was played in the game. }
1... Qxd5
2. b5 {The point: double attack on the knight and the rook on f8. }
2... Kg8
3. Bf1 {Threatening to pin and win the queen. }
3... d3
4. bxc6 Rxc6
5. Qxd3 Qxd3
6. Bxd3
*

Tactic 0145

2009-08-04T22:30:00.001-07:00

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "Vallejo"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "3r2k1/p1P2pp1/4p2p/1R2P3/P1R5/5K2/7r/8 b - - 0 39"]

{Black to move, white just played Kf3. }
{Second best is Rdd2 (6.25), best is Rd3+ (-3.86) }
1... Rd3+
2. Ke4 {If Kf4, then Rh4 is mate. }
{If Kg4, then g5 leads to mate. }
2... Rhh3
3. c8Q+ Kh7
4. Qc5 Rdg3
5. Qf2 Rg4+
6. Qf4 Rxf4+
7. Kxf4 Rh4+
8. Kg3 Rxc4
*

Tactic 0144

2009-08-03T23:59:00.000-07:00

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "elcapa"]
[Black "jbennett"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r1b2rkb/pp1q3p/6pP/3nppB1/2BpN3/P2P4/1PP2PP1/R2Q1RK1 w - f6 0 17"]

{White to move, black just played f5. }
{There are two good moves in this position. }
{Second best is Nc5 (1.95), best is Qf3 (3.34) }
1. Qf3 {Nc5 is also interesting: }
(1. Nc5 Qc6
2. Qf3 Qxc5
3. Qxd5+ Qxd5
4. Bxd5+ Rf7 {Only legal move, since the king can't move. }
)
1... fxe4
2. Qxe4 {Increasing pressure on the pinned knight. }
2... Rf7
3. Qxd5 Qxd5
4. Bxd5 Bf5
5. f4 Re8
6. Bxf7+ Kxf7
7. fxe5
*

Tactic 0143

2009-08-02T23:15:00.000-07:00

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "julioedisonmc"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "8/4k2P/8/8/1R6/1P1r4/1KP4r/8 w - - 0 50"]
{White to move, black just played Rxd3. }
{Second best is Re4+ (0.16), best is h8Q (1.23). }
{Of course, h8R is just as good as h8Q. }
1. h8Q Rxb3+ {If Rxh8, then the rook on d3 is lost anyway. }
2. Kxb3 Rxh8
3. Rd4
*

Tactic 0142

2009-08-01T18:02:00.001-07:00

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "laSelvaBeach"]
[Black "jbennett"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "8/Qpk3pp/2b2p2/2Pp1qn1/8/B7/P4PPP/4R1K1 b - - 0 32"]
{Black to move, white just played Qxa7. }
{Second best is d4 (0.00), best is Nh3+ (-0.77) }
1... Nh3+
2. gxh3 Qg6+
3. Kf1 Bb5+
4. Re2 Qb1+
5. Kg2 Bxe2
6. Qb6+ Qxb6
7. cxb6+ Kxb6
*

Tactic 0141

2009-07-31T21:28:00.001-07:00

[Event "ICC Blitz"]
[White "jbennett"]
[Black "chesstao"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "JB"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r1bqk1nr/ppp2ppp/2np4/1Bb1p3/4P3/2P2N2/PP1P1PPP/RNBQK2R w KQkq - 0 5"]

{White to move, black just played d6. }
{Second best is O-O (0.72), best is d4 (1.80) }
1. d4 {Trying the double pawn push trick. }
1... exd4
2. cxd4 Bb6 {Bb4+ turns out about the same, after Kf1. }
3. d5 a6
4. Ba4 Ba5+
5. Nbd2 b5
6. dxc6 bxa4
7. Qxa4 Bxd2+
8. Bxd2
*