Beruflich Dokumente
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TACTIMANIA
Find the Winning Combination
Quality Chess
www.qualitychess.co.uk
First English edition 2011 by Quali ty Chess UK Ltd
First published in French by Olibris
TACTIMANIA
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored
in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic,
electrostatic, magnetic tape, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior
permission of the publisher.
ISBN 978-1-906552-98-5
•
Introduction
Tactimania simply means 'passion for tactics'.
If you enjoy chess, especially tactical chess, and you would
like to improve this aspect of your game, then Tactimania is for
you! Indeed, my main intention is to help the reader develop his
experience and 'gut-feeling' for tactics, by solving chess puzzles.
Chess can be great fun, but also a learning experience and I hope
that you find this book of chess puzzles to be both. All players who
have already learned the moves and played a few friendly games
should be able to benefit. Experienced players will also find some
testing material towards the end of each chapter and especially in the
laner part of the book, so the book is aimed at just about everybody
in the chess world.
The game of chess is full of tactics which can be described as 'threats, opportunities and short-term
ideas that require calculation'. These merit particular attention if one wants to improve. Fortunately
tactical themes are a most delightful aspect of the game and one can learn whilst enjoying oneself,
that is, if the right sort of material is available.
I have relied on my own chess experiences in my search for less well-known examples. So the vast
majority of the positions are from my own games, with the remainder from my wife's.
In order to give a good idea of the level of difficulty, each puzzle is classified according to one of
the following three categories:
Apprentice
Advanced student
Expert
The chapters, especially the early ones, have definite themes, so this may help you focus your thoughts
and perhaps give you some clues in order to get going.
So whatever your playing strength, I suggest that you start at the beginning of each chapter and
then take it from there!
It is generally accepted that experienced players have a tendency to recognize patterns and themes
more readily. This ability then enables them to better navigate positions requiring tactical calculation.
So it follows that if you increase your exposure to positions requiring' a combination', you will be
better armed to find the move that can make all the difference!
If you are not familiar with the terminology used in the tactical environment, don't despair, it will
become clear as you read through the chapters.
A final point before delving into the exercises. I personally find the use of colour or illustrations in a
chess book adds the icing to the cake, so I was enthusiastic about including both of these!
I hope you too appreciate the humour and creativity of the artist, James Flear, my eldest son. In
fact the book is a family effort all round, as my wife Christine has helped out with many aspects of
the book including the translation in the French edition.
Glenn Flear
Baillargues, France
March 2011
•
The Characters
The PalNns
The Kniqhts
The Bishops
•
The Characters
The Rooks
The Queens
The Kinqs
•
Are Ljau ReadLj?
Lets• Ga!
Chapter Dne
I ~ mm~Hilmt4£m10
Checkmate is the principal objective of the game of chess, so it seems like a reasonable place to start.
In this chapter, seeking a possible mate will never be far from our thoughts. So in each of the
puzzles that follow below, your aim will be to determine a way to dethrone the opposing monarch.
When we sit down at the board we dream ofinRicting this ultimate punishment. However, for this
to become a reality, we often have to aim for and accumulate lesser advantages before launching
into a mating attack.
A player who exclusively aims for mate is not successful very often. In general, it is necessary for
him to place his pieces on active, then more aggressive squares, and perhaps win some material
along the way before turning his attention to Checkmate. Once the right conditions have been
achieved he can start to calculate to see if a direct mate is possible.
It may help to bear in mind that each 'soft spot' in the opposing camp can be a tactical weakness,
and these can be fatal when concerning those defences near the king.
In each case you may find it useful to ask yourself the following question: H ow can I exploit any
vulnerability in the opposing team's defences?
You will soon note that each exercise is classified by a number of stars.
The early ones in the chapter have one star ( ). These particular puzzles will generally require
two or three moves of calculation .
•
Mate is in the Air!
Naturally, those puzzles denoted by ( ) will require rather more attention. Either the
combination is longer, or perhaps involves more finesse .
In the more difficult cases, towards the end of the chapter denoted by ( ), you will often
need to weave a web to ensnare the opposing king. This may take longer and will generally involve
making a series of threats that ultimately leads to the creation of a mating net.
Before getting down to some serious solving, here are a couple of examples to demonstrate what
is expected and also, hopefully, to whet your appetite! Sometimes the mate is forced, as in the first
example:
8
G. FIear - P. Genov
7 San Sebastian 2006
6
5 52.E:h8t ~g6 53.~xd6t ~f7 54J!f8#
4
3
2
0
a b c d e f g h
In other cases, with best play, the defender can actually avoid being mated, but nevertheless the
threats are sufficiently strong to give the attacking side a winning game.
K. Terrieux - G. Flear
Guingamp 2008
28.!,k7! !hb5
8 After 28 ...1Wxc7 29 .lLlxc7 mate is a long way
7 off, but Black is obviously in trouble.
Otherwise, 28 ... <±>d8 resists a little longer:
6
29.gfcl gxb5 (29 .. .gxb3 30.gc8t <±>e7
5 31.gIc7 gb2t 32.<±>f3 gb3t 33 .<±>g4 and
4 Black is in a mating net) 30.gc8t <±>e7
3 31.axb5 !%h2t 32.<±>gI !%b2 33.g Ic7 W:ixc7
(to avoid the mate following W:if6t) 34.!%xc7
2
<±>d8 , but White is clearly winning.
0 29.~f6t
a b c d e f g h The knight is pinned.
29 ... ~e8 30.i!c8t
And mate next move.
1-0
•
Are a.,au
realla.,
reada.,?
•
~
1-1
Exercises 1-4
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0
a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
1-2 1-5
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
1-3 1-6
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
~
Mate is in the Air!
1-7 1·10
8 8
7
6
5
4
3
2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
1-8
1·11
8
8
7
7
6
6
5
5
3
3
2
2
0
a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
1-9
1-12
8
8
7
7
6
5
5
4
4
3
3
2
2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
Mate is in the Air!
1·13 1·16
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
1-14 1-17
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
• a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
1·15 1·18
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
27.gdxh7! i.fS
If 27 ... gxf2 then 28.gh8t 'it>f7 29.g1h7#.
2S.ghSt
Even quicker is 28.ttJxc7!.
28. ..~f7 29.g1h7t ~e6 30.gxf5t gxf5
31.gh6t ~d5
Or 3l...'it>d7 32J:~8h7t 'it>d8 33.~d4t etc.
32.~d4#
•
~
Mate is in the Air!
1-19 1-22
8 8
7 7
5 5
4
3 3
2 2
0 0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
1-20 1-23
8 8
7 7
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
1-21 1-24
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
~
Mate is in the Air!
1·25 1·28
8 8
7 7
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
• a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
1·26 1-29
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
1-27 1-30
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
~
Mate is in the Air!
1-31 1-34
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0
a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
1-32 1-35
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
0 0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
1-33 1-36
8 8
7 7
6
5 5
4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
38.ghffi! 30... 5!
White wastes no time in targeting the My opponent had noticed the weakness of
vulnerability of Black's king. my first rank.
38... c4 39.~g2! 31.~M
The king is surrounded. Here 31.exf5? fails to 31.. Jhd5! 32.gxd5
39 ... cxb3 40.gf7t me6 41.~h3t Filg4 Wifl#.
42.~xg4# 31. .. fxe4 32.~xe4
32.hce4? allows mate in two: 32... Wifl t
1-32 G. Flear - T. Gouret 33.gxf1 f!xf1#.
Le Havre 1989 32... gf4!
The rook is taboo.
27.g4t! 33.~e2
The only good continuation. There are several alternatives:
27...,bg4 28.!hg4! mxg4 29.~xg6t mh3 1) 33.lLlxf4? f!xdlt and mate.
30.~g2t mxM 31.mf2! 2) 33.Wixe5? f!d4 34.f!bb1 f!8xd5 and Black
Stepping aside to allow the rook to join the wins a piece.
attack. 3) 33.Wie1 f!d4! 34.lLle3 E'hd1 35.lLlxd1 Wid3
31...ixe3t 32.ma 36.lLlf2 Wc3 37 .Wb1 ixf2 38.E!xf2 E!d3,
The threat of f!h 1t is too strong. and if 39.E!b2 then 39 ... Wxb2!.
32...~xf6t 33.ixf6t mh5 34.ghl# 4) 33.Wb1! (the lesser evil) 33 ... E!d4 34.E!xd4
ixd4 35.lLlc7 Wic6 36.E!c2 ic3 37.lLlb5 e4
38.hce4 Wixe4 39.E!cl We2 and Black has
great pressure, but White has some hope of
resisting.
•
Mate is in the Air!
•
Chapter T""D
In this chapter, I will be asking you to make use of the most common tactical themes in solving
the puzzles. Hopefully, you should then gain confidence in exploiting opportunities using these
standard tactical ideas in your own games.
Before you turn the page in order to start solving, here are some definitions to help you get to grips
with the most widely employed tactical terms in chess literature.
• A fork: Two or more pieces (or pawns) are simultaneously attacked by the same
piece (or pawn).
• A skewer: A threat against a piece, which can move, bur only at the cost of
enabling a further threat against a more distant piece along the same rank or file .
• A discovered check: A specific case of a discovered attack, but against the king.
• Double check: This combines giving a check, from one unit, with a discovered
check from a second piece.
These themes should become easier to understand when applied to some specific examples .
~
Tactics for Tyros
• a b c d e f g h
0-1
If 47.\t>xa6 h3 48.~b7 \t>g8!, the pawn
cannot be held back as 49:*%1 loses to
49 ... ~a8t 50.\t>b6 ~b8t, when White has
to move his king and thus loses the queen .
This last tactical point illustrates a skewer.
V. Hott - G. Flear
Metz 1984
8
7 White has a dominant position and finished
6 off the game with...
35J"k711-O
5
I resigned because of a deadly fork ...
4 35 ...'&xc736.liJfe8t
3 Then .. .
36.• J~xe8
2
... doesn't help as White forks again with ...
0 37. tiJxe8t
a b c d e f g h ... which attacks both the king and queen at
the same time.
•
Glenn F1ear Tactimania
R. Seppeur - G. Flear
German League 1983
• abc d e f g h
its defence of the e5-square. See Chapter
Three for more examples of this theme.
45.~xd7 i.e5
A pin rather than a skewer, but in any case
it proves to be decisive!
46.~d8
The tame finish was 46.'<!tfxe5t? ~xe5 O-l.
46...i.xg3t 47,cJ;>xg3 ~e8
Unpinning and winning!
L Roos - G. Flear
Paris 2007
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
2-1 E. Kieser - G. Flear 30.ghS 1:!g4 31.0 ga4 32.b4 ga2 33.1:!h5
Lugano 1984 ge2 34.ie1lbe4 0-1
•
~
Tactics for Tyros
2-7 2-10
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
• a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
2-8 2-11
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
0 0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
2-9 2-12
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0
a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
Black should use a pin along the long diagonal 47.. ..ie3!
in order to win a pawn. Threatening both rooks.
42... f5! 48.gel
With an advantage that borders on the Or 48.fxe3 'lWxe3t 49.Wg2 'lWxcl.
decisive. 48...i.xf2t 49.gxf2 ~xel t 50.~g2 ge2
In the game, Black continued with the 51.gxe2 ~xe2t 52.~gl ~e5 53.~g2 lbd6
inferior 42 ... h5? 43.Wg3 'lWc8 44.Wh2 'lWc6 54.~d8 lbf5 55.~d7t ~b6 56.~d8t ~c5
45.Wg3 'lWc8 46.Wh2 and the game ended in 57.~fBt ~d4 0-1
a draw.
2-11 G. Flear - J. Van Mil
2-8 T. Upton - G. Flear Ostend 1988
London 1982
21.~xb5!
30Jhd6t! gxd6 31.gxd6t ~xd6 32.i.f4t A neat pseudo-sacrifice that wins a pawn for
A skewer that wins immediately. starters, with more in the offing.
1-0 21 ...dxe5
If 21.. .cxb5 then 22.'lWxc8 t, whereas after
2-9 G. Flear - E. Grassi 2l...d5 22.~xd5! ttJa6 23.~d6 the pins would
Pau 1988 cause further damage!
22.lbd6 gfB 23.~c4t ~h8 24.lbf7t gxf7
13.lbxa5! gxa5 14.b4 Naturally if 24 ...Wg8, White mates with
The fork enables White to win a pawn . 25.ttJh6t Wh8 26.'lWg8t gxg8 27.ttJf7#.
14... ga6 25.~xf7lba6 26.gd7 gg8 27.i.c4 1-0
If 14 ... ~xb4, White forks again with
15..ixb4. 2-12 C. Gervais - G. Flear
15.bxc5 Le Havre 1989
White has emerged a pawn to the good.
15 ... gc6?! 16.i.b4 e5?! 17.lbg5 g6?! 24 ... c4!
Black sheds further material. Attacking the bishop which must move, but
18..ixc6 bxc6 19.1be4 lbd5 20.i.d2 i.a6 then after. ..
21.i.h6 ~ 22.gfdl ~a5 23.gad ga8 25.i.c2
24.lbd6lbfB 25.e4lbc7 26.i.d2 1-0 ... the queen is no longer defended, so ...
25 ••. lbf4!
_.is then possible using a pin to fork. If
then ...
26.004 ~xe2 27.gel
... Black has, at the very minimum, ...
27...~xe1 t 28.lbxel d40-1
... with an exchange to the good plus the
initiative.
•
Tactics fo r Tyros
2-13 2-16
8 8
7 7
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
2-14 2-17
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
0
a b c d e f g h
• a b c d e f g h
2-15 2-18
8 8
7 7
6
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
39.gg4!
A pin that wins on the spot! If 39 ... iLlxg4
simply 40 .~xg5t .
1-0
•
Tactics for To
qros
2-19 2-21
2
o 1
g h • 1
f g h
2-23
o 1
g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
~
Tactics for Tyros
2-24 2-26
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
2-2S 2-27
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4
3 3
2
0 0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
Tactics for Tyros
2-28 2-29
8
7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3
2 2
• 1
a b c d e f g h
o 1~~==~==~__~
abc d e f g h
•
, Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
2-30 G. Flear - M. Pein pin 32.f4 sd5 33.c4!) 32.c3 fxe4 33.cxd4 exf3!
Metz 1984 34.Sxe5 dxe5 35.dxe5 Sxe5 and Black has an
extra pawn, but this may not be enough to
27...tva6! win.
In the game, my opponent blundered with 31...dxc3 32J'~k2 fxe4 33.!he4 !he4 34.fxe4
27 ... fxg3? 28.ltJxb6 gxh2t 29.~xh2 axb6 !he4 35J'hc3 c5 36J3d3 se6
30J~~!cl b5 31.a4 which enabled me to win a Or 36 ... sb4.
few moves later. 37.~g2 ~f7 38.b4 ~e7 39.a5 bxa540.bxa5
28.~xc5 ~b6 Se2t 41.~8 sal 42.Se3t ~d7 43.~e4
White's attack is stopped in its tracks by the Sxa5 44.~f5 c4t 45.~g6 SgSt 46.~f7 d5
pin, and so Black has a winning position. 47.Se7t ~d6 48.Se8 d4 49.sd8t ~c5 0-1
29.~hl
Just as bad is 29 .~xg6t ~xg6 30Jhg6t 2-33 M. Hofmann - G. Flear
~xg6. Balatonbereny 1983
29 ...fxg3-+
14... ~xe3!
2-31 G. Flear - S. Smetankin A mini-combination which wins a pawn.
Hastings 200112 15.~xe3 exM
Forking!
22.~el! 16.~d2 dxc3 17.ixc3
The pin has a paralysing effect. After 22.~e2 Black now has to be careful about possible
Black can free himself with 22 .. ..ic4. counter play.
22 .. J3a7 17 ...~e7 18.~M ~xd419.ixd4 b6 20.Sfel
Alternatives are no better: 22 ... b4 23.lZla4 ixMt 21.~xMt ~g7 22.~d2!
and lZlc5, 22 ... .if7? 23.Sxe8 or finally 22 ... ~d7 If 22.~xg7t ~xg7 23 .~e 7t, Black has
23.lZle5 ~d6 24.lZld3 and White steps up the 23 ... sf7.
pressure. 22... sfe8 23.b4axb4 24.axb4 !hel t 25.!he1
23.Se5 Sae7 24.~e4 ~c7 25.~c5 ~c8 Se8 26.sdl ie6 27.Sc1 ~f6
26.ltlh4! Eventually I won due to the extra pawn.
Black soon loses material.
1-0 2-34 Y. Collin - G. Flear
Metz 1984
2-32 M. Devereaux - G. Flear
British League 2003 38 ... c5!
Enabling Black to take possession of the d4-
29 ... 5! 30.8 Se5! square.
The impatient 30 ... d5? is premature because 39.sb3?
of31.e5. The best chance was 39.~g3! although after
31.c3!? 39 ... cxd4 40.~c8lZld8! White would still have
Instead, 31.~g2? loses a pawn without a great difficulties.
fight after 31...d5. Otherwise, 39.dxc5 d4 and 39.lZl xc5 .ixc5
On the other hand, 31.~d I! is more robust: 40.dxc5 d4 dearly favour Black.
3l...c5 (after 31...fxe4 White is saved by the 39... cxd40-1
•
~
Tactics for Tyros
2-35 2-38
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4
3 3
2 2
0
a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
2-36 2-39
8
7 7
6 6
5
4 4
3
2
0 0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
2-37
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
• a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
•
Glenn Hear Tactimania
•
~
Tactics for Tyros
2-44 2-47
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
0
a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
2-45 2-48
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
2-46
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
• a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
~
Tactics for Tyros
249 2-51
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0
a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
2-50 2-52
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
0 0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
Deviation
In this chapter, I will be asking you to focus on ways to destabilize the opponent's
defences in order to make significant progress. This will generally involve using tactics
to disorganize the opponent, such as by overloading or deflecting a piece, or perhaps
by 'cutting the communication' between defenders.
Here are some explanations for the various terms that appear in this chapter.
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
B. Placines - G. Flear
Le Touquet 1988
8
7
6 Black finished off the opponent with ...
5 25 ... gdlt
... a deviation, as ...
4
26.gxdl
3
.. .Ioses to.. .
2 26 .. :~xc3
• a b c d e f g h
G. Flear - S. Rouchouse
French League 2004
8
7 In this position White can take the sting
out of Black's counterattack with ...
6
27.gd5!
5
This move (proposed by Alexei Shirov) cuts
4 the communication between the black rooks
3 after which White should be able to cash in
2 the material advantage without too much
trouble.
0 I didn't find this decisive move.
a b c d e f g h
This chapter isn't particularly long, but the exercises can be quite tricky. In several cases the player
concerned did not find the decisive move.
Can ~au do
better?
•
Exercises
3-1 3-4
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0
a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
3-2 3-5
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
0
a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
3-3 3-6
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0 0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
•
, Glenn Flear Tactimania
45.c8=W! 18...!!dlt!
The pawn is used to 'chase away' the black An incisive deviation!
queen . 19..ifl
45 ...Wxc846.Wxe7t If 19.f!xd1 then 19 ...vtrxc4.
The more precise 46.e6t actually leads to a 19M.Wxc4 20.fhc4 !hal
forced mate. Black has won material and the attack
46 ... Wg8 47.e6 WfB 48.Wd7 continues unabated.
The e-pawn will soon be able to promote. 21.!!xb4 ih3 22.ftjd2 !!d8 ... 0-1
1-0
3-5 J. Benito Imaz - G. Flear
3-2 G. Flear - A. Domont Basque League 2002
Geneva 1986
29 ... gelt!
22ia4! This should be becoming familiar by now!
Black's queen is deflected from its defence of 30.gxel Wxb6 0-1
the f6-square.
22...Wxa4 3-6 G. Flear - G. Wall
Instead 22 ...vtrb6 allows 23.ixd7. Torquay 2002
23.if61-O
Mate follows . 33.gbl!
The queen is attacked and is thus deviated,
either from the defence of g7 or the back
3-3 G. Miralles - G. Flear rank.
Clichy 1986 33...Wxbl
If 33 ...vtrf6, then 34.f!b8t f!f8 35.f!xg7t
37.ftje8t! and mates.
The rook is deviated from its defence of the 34.gxg7t fhg7 35.Wxg7#
b7-square.
Then, once the rook has moved...
37...!he8 38.!!xb7
...Black loses his queen. White is then able to
take advantage of Black's loose defences.
38... !!e7 39.!!xc7 fhc7 40. We6
Threatening a fork on e5.
40... Wh7 41.dxe5 !!e4 42.Wf6 !!g7 43.e6
Black has managed to defend the first wave,
but can't do very much while White destroys
his kingside.
43 ... c544.h4Wg845.Wfl Wh8 46.h5! gxh5
47.g61-0
Mate is inevitable.
•
D eviate to D ominate
3-7 3-9
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
• a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
3-8 3-10
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
0 0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
•
•
•
, Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
Deviate to Dominate
3-11 3-13
8
7 7
6 6
5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
3-12 3-14
8 8
7 7
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Hear Tactimania
4O •• .l!e5! 14.i!:lxB!
A modest-looking move, but one that cuts The queen is overloaded as it can't effectively
the communication between the queen and defend both of b7 and f5 at the same time.
knight. Black now takes over... 14 ...'I1;YxfS 15.'I1;Yxb7 0-0 16.~xa8i!:la6
4l.ihb6 The resource 16 .. .~xf2t is surprising, but
After 41.'Lle4 ~xe4 42.fxe4 ~xe4 , Black even so after 17.<;t.xf2 ~xd5t 18.<;t.g3 ~xa8
wins a pawn as 43Jhb610ses to 43 ...~e3t . 19 ..!%afl White's advantage is clear.
41...'I1;Yxf3! 42Jhb7~e3t 17.~xa7
There aren't any good moves left to play, e.g. Black doesn't have enough compensation
43.<;t.f1 .!%f5t or 43 . ~f2 ~xc1 t . and White was able to win soon enough.
43.~hl ~el t 44.!he1 !hel#
3-14 G. Flear - J. Payre
3-12 S. Buscara - G. Flear Narbonne-plage 2000
Cap d'Agde (rapid) 2010
2Uhh5!
26 ...ie2! A pretty deflection of the rook.
The communication is cut between the 21..Jhh5 22.i!:lxc6
queen and the rook on d 1. The threat to capture on d7 proves to be
27.ihe2i!:lOt! 28.gxf3 !hdl t 29.~g2 'I1;Yxc1 rather strong.
0-1 22 .. Jk7
From White's point of view, heavy material Neither 22 ... dxc6 23 .~d7t <;t.f8 24 .~xc8t
losses are unavoidable. nor 22 ....!%xc6 23.~xd7t <;t.f8 24.~xc6 are
playable.
23.i!:laS
The knight on a6 can't move without Black
dropping his rook.
23 ..J!hI24.!!dl ~d8 25.~xa6 ~a8 26.'I1;Yd6
~d8!
If 26 ...~b8, then strongest is 27.'Llc6!
27.e4! fxe4 28.ie2 gxdl t 29.ixdl gc8
30.ia4 ~e7 31.~e5 ~f7 32.<~b7 ~g8
33.i!:ld61-0
With a winning game for White .
•
Deviate to Dominate
3-15 3-16
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0
a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
• abc d e f g h
... and Black has a mating net.
•
D eviate to Dominate
3-17 3-20
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0
a b c d e f g h
A piece down, White needs to find an
• a b c d e f g h
equalizing idea
3-18 3-21
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
0
a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
3-19
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
0
a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
Deviate to Dominate ,
3-22 3-23
8 8
7 7
5 5
4
3 3
2 2
0 0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
3-24
8
7
6
5
4
3
'~
2
).
0
a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
41.ie71 27.gd6!
lhis nice move (suggested by Sebastien With the appearance on the board of a fork
Maze) cuts the communication between the (c6 and h6), the knight on eB is invited to
black queen and rook. move away from the defence of the g7-square.
Following 41.~e6? d3 42.!!dB c4 43.@bl In the actual game, after the continuation
c3 44.bxc3 ~xc3 45 . ~xf7 ~c2t, the game 27.if4 f6 2B.ih5 ttJfB 29.ixeB ixeB 30.!!d6
instead ended with perpetual check. ttJe6 White no longer had any advantage.
41...~d7! 27... tt'lxd6 28.ixd6
Best. Mate is close after 41.. .ixe7 42.~xf7. Hitting both the queen and mate on g7.
Nor is 41.. .!!xe7 42 .!!xfB any better, due to the 28 ... ~f6 29.ie5 ~f1. 30.i.xg7t ~g8
threat of~ gBt . 31.gg3
42Jhf8! With a winning attack.
If 42.~xf7? , Black escapes with 42 ... ~xa4t
drawing.
42..J'hf8 43.ixf8 d3!
Black succeeds in continuing the struggle.
44.~b3! d2 45.~dl ~e8! 46.~xd2 ~xf8
47.~d3 ~f6 48.~e4
White will have reasonable winning chances
in the endgame.
36.if5!
The communication between the rook and
queen is cut.
Otherwise, White could instead continue
with 36.~d4 @g7 (36 ... ttJh5 37.ttJf5!) 37.!!c6
which is also promising.
36.. .ihf5 37Jhf5 ixf5 38.~e5
A pin that enables White to regain the piece
in all variations.
38...~h4
Here 38 .. .@h7! is the most robust, but
the pseudo-endgame after 39 . ~xf5t ~xf5
40.ttJxf5 !!eB 41.!!c7 @g6 42. ttJelt @g7
43.!!a7 will be difficult to defend.
39.~xf5 ~g7 4O.~fl Wfh6 4U~c6 ge8
42.gxf6! 1-0
Everything collapses after 42 ... ~xf6
43.ttJh5t.
•
Getting a strong attack going is one of the most common ways to overpower an opponent. So in
this chapter I will be asking you to solve exercises in diverse positions where an attacking attitude
will be required!
An attack can be a 'one-mover', but can also be considered as 'a combination of serious threats
in a limited area'. The latter usually results from a concentration of forces and, more often than
not, concerns the neighbourhood of a potentially vulnerable king .
Sometimes an attack leads directly to mate, but often (if the defender puts up resistance) the
attacking side will have to settle for lesser gains such as a material plus, a favourable endgame, or
perhaps just a strategic advantage.
One shouldn't get too frustrated if the payment for one's attacking imagination is not always as
high as one would like. In one's real games this is often the case!
The term initiative means having pieces that are more active and dynamic than the opponent's.
It's almost like having an embryonic attack. It's widely used in chess literature in those cases where
there is nothing concrete as yet, but nevertheless one side seems to be running the show!
The typical consequence of the initiative is that one player will be creating threats, and his
opponent will be principally preoccupied with meeting them.
Naturally it will be necessary to use various tactical themes already met in the preceding chapters.
However, in order to apply these to generate attacking chances, it might be wise to ask yourself
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
Here are some examples to give an idea of the type of exercises you will come across in this chapter.
Note that the first move isn't always spectacular, but sometimes just a handy preparatory move.
A. Greet - G. Flear
Southend 2007
• 1
a b c d e f g h
from 19.'lWf3 dxc2 20.ixd6 cl='IW 21.ixf8
~xdl 22.!hdl l!xf8 23.gxf5 lLld4 24.~h3
h5 yield an edge for Black, due mainly to the
fine centralized knight.
19...hd3 2o.'fhd3 ~d4 21.~h3 h6
22. ~e4 ~c6 23.ixh6 E!ae8 24.ixg7 ~7
25.g5 E!h8 26. ~d3ltJxb3 27.axb3 E!h4
Black then has a material advantage, plus
the initiative .
•
On the Attack!
G. Flear - A. Stefanova
Tunis 1999
33.g5t!
Perhaps not the only move that offers
8 White an advantage, but certainly the most
7 efficient.
As for the alternatives, 33-'~xa6 for example,
6
isn't bad either, but the game continuation,
5 33.Wfe4?! e5 34.g5t @h7, was less precise
4 and Black was able to hold out.
3 33 .. sfixg5
If33 ... @h5, White has mate in three starting
2
with 34.Wff3t; whereas after 33 ... @h7 then
0 34.E!xg7t! @xg7 35.'lWd7t @g8 36.Wfxc8t
a b c d e f g h @g7 37.'lWb7t @f8 38.'lWxa6 is convincing.
34.§'e4!
Suddenly, Black's king is denied any shelter
and mate is close.
34...§'c4 35.§'e5t 'it>h6 36.§'xg7t 'it>h5
37.f4
With the decisive threat of 38.'lWh7t!.
S. Hirsch - Flear, G
Dortmund 1985
19J~e8!
8 An unpleasant surprise for me!
7 The annoying threat against the f7-square
6 forces Black to give up a pawn.
19...c4
5
If 19 ... LU f6 20.E!xfBt i.xf8 21.i.xc5 i.xc5
4 22.dxc5, Black cannot retake on c5 and
3 19 ... E!xe8? is even worse, e.g. 2o.Wfxf7t @h8
2 21.'lWxe8t lLlf8 22.lLlf7t @h7 23.lLlxd6.
20.§'f3li)f6 21.i.xd6 §'xd6 22J~~xffit 'it>xfS
0 23.§'xb7 §'e7 24. §'a8t li)e8 25.§'d5
a b c d e f g h White's advantage is verging on the
decisive.
•
Exercises
4-1 4-4
8
7 7
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
0 0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
4-2 4-5
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
0
a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
4-3 4-6
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
0 0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
On the Attack!
4-7 4-10
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
4-8 4-11
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
0 0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
4-9 4-12
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
On the Attack!
4-13 4-16
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h • 1
a b c d e f g h
4-14 4-17
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0
a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
4-15 4-18
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0
a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
On the Attack!
4-19 4-22
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
4-20 4-23
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
0
a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
4-21 4-24
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
0
a b c d e f g h • 1
a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
On the Arrack!
4-25 4-28
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0 0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
4-26 4-29
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
0 0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
4-27
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
0
a b c d e f g h
<==== 'fJ-
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
4-25 Z. Azmaiparashvili - G. Flear played in the game and White went on to lose)
St Vincent 2003 38 ... 'lWe4t (if 38 ... !!e5, then 39.l2)xd6! 'lWd5t
40.'lWf3t 'lWxf3t 41.4?xf3 and White should
37.ih6! win) 39.4?h2 !!e5 40.'lWg5t 4?e6 41.!!xf7!
Instead, 37.,if4 wouldn't be clear after 4?xf7 (or 41...4?d5 42.'lWxg6+- ) 42.ttJxd6t
37 ... l2)b6!. and wins.
37...gxh6 38.~5 36... ltlh4t 37.~h3!
The threat to give a deadly check on e5 or f6 Now the only way to avoid getting mated
leaves Black with no choice. IS •• •
•
On the Attack!
4-30 4-33
8
7 7
6
5
4
3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
4-31 4-34
8 8
7 7
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
0 0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
4-32
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
• a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
On the Arrack!
4-35 4-38
8 8
7 7
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
4-36 4-39
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
• a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
4-37 4-40
8
7 7
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0 0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
On the Attack!
4~1 4~4
8 8
7 7
6
5 5
4
3 3
2 2
0 0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
4~S
4~2
8
7 7
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
0 0
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
4~3
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
• a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
On the Attack!
446 448
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
447 449
8 8
7 7
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
0 0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
On the Attack!
4-50 4-52
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0
a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
4-51 4-53
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0
a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
e·
o 0
On the Attack! ,
4·54 4·57
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0 0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
4·55 4·58
8
7 7
6 6
5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
4·56
o
abc d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
35 ..!ht7t! 33.~xt7!
This combination works, as White can avoid In the game, I played the right idea but
the attempted perpetual check. in inferior circumstances: 33.i xd3? exd3
35 ...ixt7 36J~xt7t WgS 37.~g7t WiB 34.!!xf7 ~e1 t 35.~h2 ~ xf7 36.~xh7 (after
3S.Wh6 Welt 39.Wh2 Wg3t 40.Whl WeI t 36.~f6t ~e8 the black queen stops the check
41.igll-O on e6) 36 .. .!!g8 37 .~f5t ~e8 38 . ~g6t ~d8
39.if6t ~c8 40.~xd3 ~e6 41.~d5 ltJd8
4-55 G. Flear - E. Chaplin 42.~c5t ~d7 43.~b5t ~c8 44.~c5t ~d7
Narbonne-plage 2006 45.~b5t ~c8 '12- '12.
33... Wxt7 34.Wf6t <j;leS 35.We6t file7
19.Jile6! 36.ixd3
A powerful move enabling a minor piece to The right moment!
join in the attack. 36... exd3 37.if6
Inferior is 19 ... !!e8t 20. ~d2 g5 21.!!ae1 White wins.
and White has control.
20.dxe6 ~aeSt 21.file2 ixe6 22.~fl?! 4-5S A. Sydor - G. Flear
The best defence would have been 22.h3! Mea 1983
~f3 (22 ... ~xe2t? 23 .~xe2 ixh1 24.ie3 !!f3
25. ~ d2 favours White) 23.!!f1 ~g2 24.h4 25.Wh5!
if3 25.!!f2 ~gl t 26.!!f1 ~g2==. The game continued 25.ixc4? !!xc4 26.~g8
22 .. .i.f3 23.~fl ~f4! 24.gxf4 ixe2 25.~xe2 exd5 27 .~xf7t ~c6 28.!!xc4t dxc4 29.~xc4t
Wgi t 26.Wd2 ~xe2t 27.Wxe2 Wxal ~b7 30.~h4 ltJc7 31.g3 !!e8 (Black has
With a clear advantage to Black. consolidated his position) 32.!!cl ~f5 33.id4
~d3 34 .~f6 ~d2 35.!!a1 !!e1 t 36.!!xe1
4-56 G. Flear - L. Van Wely ~xe1 t 37 .~g2 ~e4t 38.f3 Wfd5 39.h4
French League 1999 ~xa2t 40. ~h3 ~e6t 41.g4 CLld5! 42.~g7t
~c6 0- 1.
The most precise is ... 25 ...Wa6
25.Wd5! If 25 ... ~e7, simply 26 .~h4t ~d7
I continued instead with 25.!!e8!? !!b8 27.ixc4.
26.ixf8! (26.~c3? wasn't good because of 26.ixe4 ~e4 27.Wxt7t WeS 2S.~e4t
26 ...~xc3 27.bxc3 f6 28.!!dd8 ~f7! and Wxe429.~c1
Black escapes) 26 ...ltJxf8 27.!!dd8 (White's White should win.
rooks are dominating) 27 ... ~xd8 28.!!xd8
ig4 29.!!xf8t ~xf8 30.~xg4 !!d8 31.~e4 b6
32 .~b7 1-0.
25... filxdS 26.WxdS
It's already all over.
•
On the Attack!
4-59 4-62
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0
a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
4-60 4-63
8 8
7 7
6 6
5
5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0
a b c d e f g h
• a b c d e f g h
4-61
o
abc d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
29.i.d2!
The threat to come to the long diagonal is
particularly strong.
The game continued sadly for my opponent
with 29.ig5?? lLlh7 30.ixg6 fxg6 31.ie7
Wfg7 32.Wfh4if7 O- l.
29 ... tbh7
If29 ... Wfxb2, White follows up with 30.ixg6
fxg6 3l.ic3.
30.i.c3 Widlt 31.c,t>h2 Wid6t 32.E!g3 WifB
33.E!xg6t! fxg6 34.i.a2t
With a mating arrack.
•
On the Attack!
4-64 4-66
7 7
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
0
a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
4-65 4-67
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
0
a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
,'tIII'!
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
O n the Arrack! ,
4-68 4-71
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
0
a b c d e f g h • 1
a b c d e f g h
4-69 4-72
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
0
a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
4-70
7
6
5
4
3
2
• abc d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
On the Attack!
4-73 4-75
8 8
7 7
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
4-74
o
abc d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
One of the most natural reactions, when shown a chess position, is to start counting pieces
and pawns. It's understood at all levels that the material balance generally weighs heavily on
one's judgement, but of course we shouldn't forget to take various other factors into account.
In any case, for those who are (in the chess sense!) confirmed materialists this chapter should
please you!
One learns quite early that winning material is often an effective way of increasing the chances
of winning a game. Indeed when one thinks about it, the majority of threats made during actual
play involve attempting to win a pawn or something bigger.
Sometimes the process of snatching material can begin with a combination involving a pseudo-
sacrifice. The idea then is to set in motion a sequence of forcing moves during which the attacking
side wins back his investment with interest.
So in Chapter Five you will be seeking a precise move, sequence, combination, perhaps a threat
or two, or even a simple capture, that ultimately leads to your side ending up with more material
than the opponent.
However, in the exercises that follow, winning something isn't always the end of the matter.
Indeed, in your own games it's wise to remind yourself not to relax after obtaining an advantage,
as the opponent will be at his most dangerous with his back against the wall. Sometimes, in
tournament play, it's even worth spurning the opportunity to grab material if it allows too much
counter play. In the exercises in this chapter, winning material is often linked to prophylactic play,
Glenn Flear Tactimania
in order to get away with greed, while at the same time limiting opportunities for the adversary.
A term that crops up in the text is a desperado. This refers to a trapped and condemned piece
that manages to eliminate an opposing piece or pawn before its own demise.
G. Flear - R. Britton
8 Leicester 1987
7
White is able to force thewin of material.
6 40.i.xg5! lbxh5
5 Otherwise 40 ... hxg5 loses quickly:
4 41.'tVxg5t Wh7 42.ltJxf6t 'tVxf6 43.'tVg8t
Wh6 44.g5t etc.
3
41.i.xe7lbf442.i.xd6lbd3
2 White has rwo extra pawns. The game
didn't last much longer:
0 43.g5 lbf3 44.gxh6t Wh7 45.bf3 ~gl t
a b c d e f g h
46.~xgl Ehf3 47.li:lg5t 1-0
J. Plaskett - G. Flear
Brighton 1984
•
Pinching Pieces and Pawns
•
Exercises
5-1 5-4
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
5-2 5-5
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
0
a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
5-3 5-6
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0 0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
26.ltlxh7!
At the time, I was fortunate to get away
with a draw after 26.gxffi? gxf8 27.gd 1 h6
28.gxd3t ~e7 29J~e3t ~d7 30.gd3t.
26 ... gxe8 27.ltlf6t
Black may as well resign.
•
Pinching Pieces and Pawns
5-7 5-10
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
5-8 5-11
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
0 0
a b c d e f g h
5-9 5-12
8
7 7
6 6
5
4
3
2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
21.iO!
Black's pieces prove to be poorly placed:
21...~e8 22.d7 or 21...~xf6 22.'!!1xf6t Wh7
23.tLlxc6.
21. ..ixf3 22.tLld7! g5 23.Wfe3 Wfb7 24.liJxb8
liJxb825.liJxa
White won a few moves later.
17.~d6t! ~ffi
After 17 ...~xd6 18 .W!xd6 Black cannot take
the bishop because of mate.
18.Wfd5! ixd6 19.Wfxd6t ~g8
The e-pawn is doomed.
20.ixe5liJxe521.Wfxe5
White had no problems converting his
advantage.
•
Pinching Pieces and Pawns
5-13 5-16
8
7 7
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
0 0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
5-14 5-17
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
1
0 0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
5-15 5-18
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
0
a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
S-13 G. Flear - S. Bell ~xd7 IS.liJe2 !'!ab8 16.b3 !'!be8 17.0 liJc3
Black pool 1988 18.liJxc3 !'!xc3 19.~d2 !'!e6 20.gac1
With two extra pawns.
20J~dS! W1a4 1-0
Otherwise, 2O ... .B:xd5 21.exd5t ~xd5 loses
a piece to 22.~xb4; whereas after 20 ...~xa2 S-16 M. Kazhgaleyev - G. Flear
21.~c6t! ~e7 22.Elhd1 White's attack is Aix-en-Provence (rapid) 2004
winning.
21.ieS heS 22JheS 16.liJxeS!
The threat of .B:c6t will cost Black too much An unpleasant surprise!
material . 16 ... dxeS 17.ixe7! !'!xe7 18.d6 1-0
1-0
S-17 G. Flear- G. Maupin
S-14 G. Flear - M. Rayya St Affrique 2005
Le Havre 1989
6.W1b3!
10.liJxeS! ixe2 l1.liJxc6 Forking f7 and b7.
Black loses a piece in all lines. 6 ...e6 7.W1xb7liJ bd7 8.W1xe6 gc8 9.W1a6 W1e7
l l ...ixdl 12.liJxd8 ihS 13.liJxb7 ib6 lo.id3 hd3 11.W1xd3 ib4 12.liJge2
14.eS dxeS Is.ia3 !'!ab8 16.liJxeS White has a two pawn advantage.
White is able to retain his extra piece.
1-0 S-18 D. Marholev - G. Flear
San Sebastian 2005
S-IS G. Flear - M. Fortea
Narbonne-plage 2004 9...ixh2t! 10.~xh2 W1xd4 1l.liJxd4 he4
12.!,!dl 0-0-0
8.ixe7 W1xe7 9.liJxdS! Black has won a pawn and obtained
Punishing Black for his slack opening play. a comfortable game, but converting the
9 ... cxdS lo.W1xc8t W1d8 1l.ibSt ~e7 advantage will be difficult with the presence of
12.W1xb7t liJd7 13.W1xd7t W1xd7 14.ixd7 opposite-coloured bishops.
I
'I
•
Pinching Pieces and Pawns
5-19 5-22
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
0
a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
5-20 5-23
8
7
6
5
4
3
2 2
0 0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
5-21 5-24
8 8
7 7
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
Pinching Pieces and Pawns
5-25 5-28
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
5-26 5-29
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
0 0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
5-27 5-30
8 8
7 7
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
Pinching Pieces and Pawns
5-31 5-34
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4
3 3
2 2
0 0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
5-32 5-35
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0
a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
5-33
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
• a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
Pinching Pieces and Pawns
5-36 5-39
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
5-37 540
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0 0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
5-38 541
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0 0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
Pinching Pieces and Pawns
5-42 5-45
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
5-43 5-46
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
0 0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
5-44
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
• a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
Pinching Pieces and Pawns
5-47 5-50
• abc d e f g h • abc d e f g h
5-48 5-51
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1
0 0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
5-49 5-52
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
0 0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
Pinching Pieces and Pawns
•
hapter &
The expression tactical weakness often refers to a piece that is misplaced. Get in the habit of
looking out for any in your opponent's camp, while avoiding them in yours. Exploiting them may
involve a direct win of material, or gaining precious time with a series of threats.
Even when there doesn't seem to be any immediate cause for alarm, having an undefended or
vulnerably-placed unit, can cause serious problems elsewhere. If a tactical fl urry breaks out, having
one fighting unit that is a hindrance rather than an asset can make all the difference.
Wise men often advise us to make the effort to improve our 'worst placed piece', and in this
chapter we will be taking a close look at the consequences when somebody has forgotten to do
just that!
•
Punishing Precariously Placed Pieces
M. Drasko - G. Flear
Montpellier 2000
8
7 27... bS!
The rook is ensnared!
6
28.axb6t ~xb6
5 White then was able to put up some
4 resistance with ...
3 29JkS AxeS 30.~xeS ga8 31.~e6t <j;ld6
32.~xg7 as
2
... but the damage had been done, and he went
• a b c d e f g h
on to lose a few moves later.
K. Kojder - G. FIear
Kecskemet 1982
8
Black's pieces are clumsily placed, and White
7 immediately exploits their unfortunate
6 configuration.
5 26.h4! ~ge6 27.~f5 ~h5
If27 ...!&g6 then 28.ltJe7t.
4
28.gxeS!
3 The knight on e6 and bishop on ffi are both
2 overloaded.
28...AxeS 29.~xg7 1-0
0 And wins.
a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
G. Flear - B. Kouatly
French League 1989
(diagram)
19.d6!
Although Black is now (just about) able to
save his queen, White's attention has already
turned to Black's denuded kingside.
19 ... e6 20.'I1:Yxc4 a4
After 20 .. .gfe8 21.~e2 gac8 22 ..if4 the
queen is doomed after all.
21.'I1:Yxe6t gO 22.liJd5 a3 23.bxa3 liJe5
If 23 ...~e5, White has 24.lLJe7t Wg7
25.~xd7.
o 24.,tf4
abc d e f g h The losses are too heavy, as White threatens
both lLJxf6 and the queen.
1-0
•
,•
Exercises
6-1 6-4
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0
a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
6-2 6-5
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
0
a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
6-3 6-6
8
7 7
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
Punishing Precariously Placed Pieces
6-7 6-9
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
6-8 6-10
o o
abc d e f g h abc d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
Punishing Precariously Placed Pieces ,
•
6-11 6-13
8 8
7 7
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0 0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
6-12 6-14
8 8
7 7
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
0
1
a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
.,
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
Punishing Precariously Placed Pieces ,
•
6-15 6-17
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
0 0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
6-16
6-18
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
Punishing Precariously Placed Pieces
6-19 6-22
8
7 7
6
5
4 4
3
2 2
0 0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
6-20 6-23
8 8
7 7
5 5
4
3 3
2 2
0
a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
6-21 6-24
8
7
6 6
5
4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
Punishing Precariously Placed Pieces
6-25 6-27
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
0 0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
6-26 6-28
8
7
6
5
~: ~' ~;.~
~
i'.~.f•
~~ ~ ,~ ~
~ ~
a{,"~ i)~ ',~_',
~~'%~~"""~~'~
.t. ~
9A 8
7
6
5
IrJ~~~~~ t.~
4 4
~~ ;~ '%~~~
3 3
.... . ....
b
~
~~
c d
~,'~~ .tm~
e
~
f
:
g h • a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
16.lilxf5! 18.e5!
The black edifice collapses. A combination that targets several loose
16 ... ixB 17Jhe8 gxe8 18.~xd5t ~e6 pieces.
19.ixe4 18 ... dxe5 19.1ildb5 ~d7
White has got away with two pawns. If 19 .. .!'!.xd2, then 20.4:lxc7 !'!.xd1 21.!'!.xd1
19...ge5 20.~xe6t ixe6 21.~d3! lilxd3 with the threat of !'!.d8t, as well as ttJxa8.
22.ixd6 ge2 23.gdl ic4 24.M gel 20.~f2 ~e7 21.~xc5!
25.gxcl lilxcl 26.a3 b5 27.b4 For the record, White is also better after
And White won. 21.!'!.xd8t ~xd8 22.~xc5 cxb5 23.ttJd5 i.e6
24.4:lc7.
6-26 G. Flear - D. Ladau 21. ..~xc5 22.gxd8t iffi 23.ixf6 cxb5
Cap d'Agde 2006 24.lt'ld5 ie6 25.lt'le7t ~xe7 26.ixe7 1-0
•
Punishing Precariously Placed Pieces ,
•
6-29 6-30
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
o o
abc d e f g h abc d e f g h
6-31
o
abc d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
26.i.xb5! 15.li:la4!
White sacrifices a piece for two pawns on Cutting out any possibility of the queen
the queenside. It's worth noting that this idea retreating.
works, as the absence of the knight, sidelined 15 ... li:lg4
on h5, hamiica ps the defence. Neither 15 ...~xc4 16.liJb6 nor 15 .. .i.e6
26 ... cxb5 27.c6 i.c8 16.b3 b5 17.i.d2 ~a3 18.i.c1 't\Ixa2 19.1iJc3
After 27 ...i.e8, White continues with are playable for Black.
28.'t\Ic5. 16.i.xg4
28.li:lxb5 li:lg7 29.~c5 li:le8 30.li:la7! Another possibility is 16.i.c1 !?
It's more important to dominate the black 16...hg4 17.V!Yc2 i.e2 18.b3!
pieces than to capture a third pawn. The inferior 18.'t\Ixe2? ~xa4 19.b3 ~b4
30... li:lc7 31.b5 li:le6 32.~b6 q;e7 33.V!Ya5 wouldn't have been dear.
~b834.b6 18...i.xfI 19.9xf1
Black is out of useful moves. Here 19.i.d2? is dubious, because of
1-0 19 .. .l:;ad8 20.i.xb4 i.d3.
19... b5
6-30 J. Levitt - G. Flear If 19 .. Jhd8, then 20.i.c1 with the threat of
Plymouth 1989 a2-a3 .
20.i.d2 bxa4 21.i.xb4 axb3 22.axb3 cxb4
26.li:ld8! 23.gdl i.c5t 24.q;f1 i.e3 25.g3 c5 26.gd7
Black's king is denied the possibility of i.d427.e5
escaping by castling long! With a dear advantage to White.
The game instead continued with 26.b4? 27...a4 28.bxa4 geb8 29.V!Ye4 b3 30.~d5
cxb3 27.Ek5 liJd7 (27 ... b2!) 28.e5 't\Ib6 gfB 31.gxf7 q;h8 32.gxf8t gxfB 33. ~7 b2
29.liJd6t ~d8 30. ~f8t! Y2-Y2, in view of 34.q;e2 gd8 35.a5 i.c3 36.a6 i.b4 37.~e4
30 .. .liJxf8 31.l:;xf8t ~c7 32.l:;f7t etc. g6 38.e6 i.c3 39.a7 q;g7 40.~b7t q;h6
26 ...~e7 27.li:lxe6! g6 41.g4 g5 42.e7 gd2t 43.Q;e3 i.b4 44.~c6t
The alternative 27 ...~xe6 loses on the spot Q;g7 45.e8=li:lt 1-0
to 28.~ffit ~ d7 29.l:;f7t. A neat under-promotion to finish the
28.~f6 ~xf6 29Jhf6 gc8 30.gxg6 chapter!
White is winning.
•
Blunders are unforced errors, often resulting in dramatic consequences.
Naturally, we try to avoid making them, but unfortunately they will inevitably creep into our
play from time to time. Our adversaries will also make such oversights, but in order to exploit
them, you will need to latch onto a tactical point that has been overlooked!
There is generally no particular problem in cashing in when one's opponent kindly falls into a
prepared trap. However blunders are not always immediately obvious.
Stay alert to any tactical themes in the air, trust your instinct, and if you sense that one of your
opponent's moves somehow feels wrong, let your tactical imagination run wild!
I f you are ready and willing to seek refutations of your opponent's moves, you are more likely to
find one when it really matters!
A typical case is when facing a highly-ranked player, who is playing his moves quickly and
confidently. This doesn't mean he has calculated all the lines correctly! Don't trust your opponent
blindly, even the strongest GMs make blunders occasionally.
However, first of all, a word of warning. If you think that you have a great tactical shot available,
think twice and check your analysis again! Has your opponent just blundered, or is he setting a
cunning trap?
In certain exercises in this chapter, I will be asking more specific questions. Here are some typical
examples:
Glenn Hear Tactimania
K. Arkell- G. F1ear
British League 2005
8
7 In the following example, my error turned
6 out to be fatal.
5 Here a possible question could be:
Black must choose between 40 .. .~h7 and
4
40 ...!!xa5, which is preferable?
3 Before making a definite choice, you
2 should calculate and compare these so-called
'candidate moves', just as you would do in a
• a b c d e f g h
real game!
40...!!xa5??
This (notorious 40th move!) loses on the
spot and, unfortunately, was the move I made
in the game!
In fact, Black should take his king off the
eighth rank: 40 ...~h7! 41.CUe2 (41.Wxf8 is
met by 41.. .exd4; while after 41.CUc6, the
bishop is no longer pinned and Black can
play the freeing 41.. .ia3) 4l...~f3 42.~xf8
!!d2! 43.!!e 1 f6! The game is about equal.
41.lt'lc6 !!b5 42.lt'le7t ~h7 43.'lWxfB 1-0
In the exercises that follow, you should first of all carefully read any accompanying text. Sometimes
a move is made in the diagram position, before you are required to make your choice, see for
example the first exercise .
•
Exercises
7-1 7-3
abc d e f g h abc d e f g h
I played 18.ih3. Just after the time control, I rushed to play
How do you think my opponent replied? 41.gd3 in order to go to the toilet.
What was my opponent's reply?
7-2 7-4
abc d e f g h abc d e f g h
My opponent opted for 28.li)d3, but why After my 42.VHf'l, my opponent didn't take
did he regret his choice? long to win. How did he continue?
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
IS.i.h3?? 41.gd3??
was a dreadful blunder as after... loses immediately!
IS ••• ~xd4! 41.Wb3 was correct, with a certain advantage
.. .1 resigned! The position is hopeless, for to White.
example: 4 1... gcS!
19.ixd7 ~xb3 20.gabl ~d2 etc. ... and mate is forced.
42.gd2
7-2 L. Cernousek - G. Flear Or 42.e8=~ l:!cl#.
British League 2008 42M.E!c1 t 43.st>e2 'tYe5t 44.st>f2
44.~d3 allows mate in one with 44 ...l:!c3#.
2S.~d3?? 44 ••. 'tYxelt 45.st>g2 'tYxd2t 46.st>h3 E!hlt
is refuted by... 47.st>g3 'tYh2t 4S.st>g4 E!gl#
28. •.cxd3! 29.'tYxc8 'tYc2!
On the other hand, 29 ... d2? is a mistake due 7 -4 G. Flear - I. Gonzalez Menendez
to 30.~d6!. Spanish League 2005
3O.'tYxc2 dxc2
... and Black wins. 42.'tYf2??
loses quickly.
Better was 42.l:!d2 when the position would
have stayed unclear.
42 ...'tYe6t 43.5 'tYe4t 44.st>h5
No better is 44.Wf4 ~g2t 45.~h5 ~xh3t
46.~h4 ~xf5 47.~d4t l:!e5.
44 •.. E!xh3t 45.st>g6 'tYe8t 46.st>f6 E!h7
47.'tYc5 E!flt 4S.st>g6 E!e7t
And Black wins .
.,,-"
•
Bl under-bashing
7-5 7-7
o
abc d e f g h abc d e f g h
Black has a serious threat. What should Black played 58 ...Wc7, but soon realized
White do to avoid a disaster? the error. So what's the problem?
7-6 7-8
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
0
a b c d e f g h abc d e f g h
What should White do here? I played 34... ~c6 and my
opponent had a chance to win.
How should White reply?
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
37.l'k8t! 58 •••Y!fc7??
In the game, my opponent lost a piece: loses a piece to ...
37.<.!?e3?? !!b3t 38.Wd2 !!d3t 39.Wc2 !!xd6, 59.li:lxd6! 'tYxc4
and the game a few moves later. Neither 59 ... l2lxd6 60.~xc7 nor 59 ... ~xd6
37.Wg3?? also loses: 37 ... !!b3t 38.f3 !!b2 60.~xf7# offer any salvation.
and mate is nigh. 60.lbxc40-1
Possible is 37.!!c3?!, but after 37 ...!!xb4 the
position would be only equal. 7-8 P. Walden - G. Flear
37••. ~e7 38.li:lfSt ~d7 39.!l.c3! Cardiff 1983
White holds everything together and,
furthermore, retains winning chances. For the record, instead of my...
39••. g6 34••• li:lc6?
If39 ... l2le6!?, then 40.!!a3 !!xb4 41.l2lxg7!. ... thecorrect move was 34 ...!!c2!, for example
40.li:lxh6 13xb4 41.g5! 35.Wxd4 l:'!xc7 36.13xc7 J3xd5 37.~xd5 Wxc7
With a riskless advantage to White. 38.~xf7t Wd8 39.~g8t We7 40.~h7t We6!
with drawing chances.
7 -6 N. Devals - G. Flear 35.li:lb4!
St Affrique 2007 Demolishing Black's defences.
My opponent blundered in turn with
15.li:lg3! 35.!!xf7?? and after 35 ...!!xd5 Black was
White attacks two pieces at once! winning.
My opponent instead blundered at this 35 ••• 'tYa4
point with 15.!!d I?? ~h4 16.g3? ~xe4 and If 35 ... l2lxb4 36.!!c8t White mates.
then resigned. 36.li:lxc6t bxc6
15 ..• 'tYf6 16.ig5! 'tYxg5 17.'tYxe5 g6 18.li:le4 If 36 .. .<.!?xc7, simply 37.l2lxd8t.
White has a significant advantage. 37.13xc6
Threatening !!c8t.
•
Blunder-bashing
7-9 7-11
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
Black should choose between 34 ...!'9xe7
and 34 .. Jhd4. Which one is correct?
7-10 7-12
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
a b c d e f g h
Why was the move played in the game,
• a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
My opponent punished my previous slack play In the game, 34 .. :~xe7?? lost quickly: 35.Bxd7
with ... Bxd7 36.~c3t \t>g8 37.~c8t 1- 0.
23...VHxd2 24.ixd2 ia6 Instead, Black should have opted for. ..
...with a powerful pin. 34... gxd4! 35.exdS=VHt
25.liJxM Here, 35.Bxd4 ~xe7 36.Bxd8t ~xd8
The alternative 25.ic2 is too passive: 37.~xf7 would be similar.
25 ... Bac8 26.ibl liJe5 and Black wins the 35 ... gxdS!
exchange anyway. But not 35 ... ~xd8?? 36.~c3.
25 •..ixfl 26Jhfl ge2 27.ic1 gaeS 2S.i.c4 36.gxdSt VHxdS 37.VHxf7 a6
gel When the endgame would probably be
Black went on to win. drawn.
•
Blunder-bashing
7-13 7-15
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3
2 2
o
abc d e f g h abc d e f g h
If White continues with 10.~f3 ,
can Black capture on e4 with confidence?
7-14 7-16
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
0
a b c d e f g h abc d e f g h
White continued here with 17.~d3 .
Is this reasonable or bad?
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
23.id6!
Threatening both 24. ~xf8 and 24.~b4.
23 ... ~b5
It's even worse to move the rook: 23 .. J!fc8
24.~b4 ~a4 25 .~xc3.
24..bf8 lixffi 25.ixb5 Wxb5
With a difficult position for Black.
26.lifdl ieS 27.liabl Wa5 28.libc1 ib7
29.~g3h6 30.~e7 ia831.~e7~a6 32.liel
~a4 33.~d6 lie8? 34.~d7 1-0
The d4-d5 advance is coming.
31.id3!
The threat of mate on the back rank enables
him to retain both bishops.
In the game, 31.~xc6?? ~xc6 32.~c5 f6
33.Be7 Bb7 was insufficient to win.
31...f6
White now has a choice of decisive
continuations.
•
Blunder-bashing
7-17 7-19
• abc d e f g h
o
abc d e f g h
Black should choose between White has to decide between 39.1'!d4,
16 ...1&a5 and 16 ...1&b7. Which 39.e6 or 39.1'!d7. One of these three
one would you go for? is a blunder, which is it?
7-18 7-20
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
• abc d e f g h
o
abc d e f g h
Black should choose between 47 ...d3, White has three candidate moves,
47 ...1'!h4t 48.\t>gl d3 or 47 ... vtJf6 . One 13.tZJxb5, 13..ixb5, and 13.0-0.
of these three is a blunder, which is it? Which of these options is not advisable?
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
Blunder-bashing
7-21 7-23
o o
abc d e f g h abc d e f g h
One should choose between 13.lLlxc5, The choice is between 2 n!b 7,
13.bxc5 and 130-0. Which is best? 27.1'!xg7t, 27.1&d3 and 27.1&b7.
7-22 7-24
8
7
6
. "."./"" "
5
4
3
2
o o
abc d e f g h abc d e f g h
White has four interesting options: Which of 33.1'!xc3, 33.1'!b7 or 33.1'!b8t,
24i!c8, 24J:1fl, 24.@dl and 24.1&d5. would you go for?
You should select one that
leads to an advantage.
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
Blunder-bashing
7-25 7-27
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
o
abc d e f g h • abc d e f g h
How should White continue? Black should choose between
32... \t>f7, 32.. ..Ek6 and 32 ... ~b3.
7-26 7-28
o
abc d e f g h • abc d e f g h
How to exploit the space advantage? Black has four options to choose from:
27 ... lik8, 27 .. :~c7, 27 .. J3hd8 and
27... l3ad8. Which one would
you vote for?
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
Blunder-bashing
7-29 7-30
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
o
abc d e f g h abc d e f g h
What is the logical result after the move How many of the following four moves
played in the game 28 .. .'~xB? are playable for White: 24.~c2, 24.~d3 ,
24 .~xc6 and 24.d5?
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
The sacrifice doesn't work and leads to a decisive Th e game ended abruptly 24.i.xc6?? !'!e2t
advantage to White. The game continued O- l.
with .. . Otherwise if 24.i.d3?, Black has a pretty win
28...~xf3? 29.gxf3 gg5t 30.~hl ih5 with 24 ...!'!e2t! 25.i.xe2 !'!g6t 26.'it>h 1 !'!h6
... when my opponent reacted correctly... when mate is forced .
31.h4! Finally, 24.d5? !'!e2t! 25.i.xe2 '!Wxa4 26.dxc6
... giving some wriggle room for his king. Vl1xc6 doesn't give White enough for the
31...ixf3t 32. ~h2 gg2t 33. ~h3 g5 34.hxgS queen.
gxg535.e4! The only good move is ...
Another precise move, that leaves Black short 24.~c2!
of time for his mating ambitions. . _which covers the important second rank.
35 ...gfg8 36.~xg5! gxgS 37.gg1 Then after
Black is left with a miserable endgame. 24... gh625.\!;lhl
37... gh5t 38.\!;lg3 ixe4 39.gcel ig6 40.f4 ... the outcome would be uncertain.
g5 41.ge7 gfl 42.gxfl ixf7 43.\!;lh4 h6
44.51-0
The king is cut off.
•
Most of the exercises in puzzle books, and this one is no exception, test the ability of the reader to
find 'positive' continuations, generally starting from a position of strength.
Naturally, in our own games, we may find ourselves frequently on the defensive, so it follows that
testing resourcefulness under pressure has practical value.
So the first priority in the following exercises then is to avoid defeat, perhaps with a forced draw
or an equalizing continuation. At times, the best one can do is just minimize any disadvantage,
but at others a cunning rejoinder can even turn the tables.
The ability to calculate robust defensive moves, or similarly prepare a counter-blow, in order to
save the day, is an underestimated aspect of a chess player's skill. 1m proving your feeling in this
area should help you salvage many a half-point, or more!
Continue to seek any potential faults in the other camp, even if the opposing forces seem to be
better placed than yours. Once you have determined the whereabouts of the Achilles' heel, then
aim for this target!
M. Todorcevic - G. Flear
Clermont-Ferrand 1986
8
7 In an inferior position, my opponent found a
6 way to save the game.
24.'!iH6t! gxf6 2S.'lWxf6 \WaS 26J'he3! dxe3
5
27. idS
4 Black cannot avoid the threatened perpetual
3 check.
2 27 ... ie6 28.'lWgSt ~h8 29.'lWf6t ~g8
30.'lWgSt %-1/2
0
a b c d e f g h
G. Flear - R. Britton
Southport 1983
8
Here, you would have needed to find the
7
unique path to salvation.
6 39...'lWel!
5 Otherwise, the plausible 39 ... 4Jh3t?
4 40.i.xh3 WeI t doesn't in fact work, because
of 41.Wg2! when the king can wriggle out
3
of the perpetual: 4l...~g3t 42.Wf1 Wxf3t
2 43.i.f2 Wxh3t 44.We2 Wc3 45.Wf5! and
• a b c d e f g h
White's attack is winning.
40.gSt ~g6 41.ifl llJe2t 42.~g2 ~f4t
43. ~gl llJe2t
Drawing.
•
Decisive Defence ,•
•
G. Flear - F. Marcille
Narbonne-plage 2008
• a b c d e f g h
23.c.t>d3B!
The counter-arrack gets underway!
24..lxc5
(diagram)
8 24... h5!
7 Also possible, but perhaps less convincing
is 24 ...fxe4t, for example 25.lLlxe4 lLlxe4
6
26.i.xe7 (26.i.xe4? i.xc5) 26 ...i.f5! (otherwise
5 26 ...lLlxf2t 27.Wc3 ~f5 28.!!xb7 probably
4 favours White, but this isn't that clear either)
27.i.xffi lLld6t 28.We2 ~xc4t 29.Wel lLlxf8
3
with dangerous counterplay.
2 25.hd6
• a b c d e f g h
Rather than 25.cxb5? fxe4t 26.lLl xe4lLlxe4
27.i.xe7?! ~c3t as Black mates!
25 ... Wfxc4t 26.c.t>d2 hd6 27 ..le2 Wfc5
With chances for both sides.
So in this example, in order to counter White's
queenside play, Black aims to exploit a potential
weakness in his opponent's set-up. Here it's the
fragile position of the king that enables Black to
fight back.
•
,•
•
Exercises
8·1 8-4
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0
I
a b c d e f g h • I
a b c d e f g h
8-2 8-5
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
• a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
8-3
8
7
5
4
3
2
0
a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
Decisive Defence
8-6 8-9
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
• a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
8-7
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
a b c d e f g h
8-8
8
7
6
5
4
3
• a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
Decisive Defence ,•
•
8-10 8-13
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
• a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
8-11 8-14
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
8-12
o
abc d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
•
,•• Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
Decisive D efence ,•
•
8-21 8-23
8 8
7 7
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
• a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
8-22 8-24
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
Decisive Defence ,•
•
8-25 8-27
8 8
7 7
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
8-26 8-28
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
Decisive Defence
8·29 8·31
8 8
7 7
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
8-30 8-32
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
-I
In the latter stages of games, when most of the pieces have been exchanged, players often have
different preoccupations than in the middlegame.
They will often need, for example, to focus on the subtleties of the pawn structures, long-term
piece manoeuvres, and king walks into the central arena. Indeed, with less pieces on the board,
they will be aware that kings will be called upon to participate more actively in the struggle.
As in the previous chapters however, one shouldn't forget to take into account tactical weaknesses,
and the positive and negative aspects of both sides' pieces.
If an endgame is favourable and one is thus trying to win, there are three main sources for one's
inspiration:
So it follows that if one doesn't know much about endgames, then it's a good idea to calculate
well!
During the process of trying to work out how to proceed, a provisional conclusion to make is to
decide whether one's approach will be an A or P plan of action.
In other words, should one be going for Activity, Aggression or an Attack, or, on the other hand,
for Patience, Preparation, Prophylaxis and Persistence.
,• Glenn Flear Tactimania
Although the A approach is typically associated with middJegames, and the P plan with
endgames, one shouldn't be too dogmatic on this point. It is however a good idea to decide if the
way forward involves forcing the issue or not.
Naturally, in both cases, calculation will be required to some extent and you shouldn't forget
that tactical points often appear when least expected. So be ready to exploit them, in order to excel
in the endgame!
Endgames: Positions where each player has a maximum of one piece (not counting the king).
Pseudo-Endgames: Positions where a player has two pieces and his opponent two or less (again
not counting the king).
Zugzwaog: A case where the player having the move is obUged to deteriorate his own position
Opposition: A Zugzwang specific to endgames where the kings are facing off and one of them is
obliged to give way.
H. Zschiedrich - G. Flear
Narbonne-plage 2004
• 1
a b c d e f g h
53-.ga2t 54.~fl g3 55.b5
And only now should Black play.. .
55... ~g4
... and Black should win, due to his
more advanced passed pawns and mating
possibilities.
The moral here could be: Don't get lazy...
just analyse!
•
Excel in the Endgame! ,•
S. Zeidler - G. Flear
British League 2007
•
Sometimes a Hnle common sense is
necessary, and unfortunately for me, it was
a b c d e f g h
lacking on this occasion!
40.gbc4 ~a5 4Uhc7 ~hh4 42.g1c4
~d5
With a clear advantage to Black.
The moral of this tale is: Don't underestimate
your opponent's counter-chances!
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
B. Larsen - G. Flear
London 1986
8
7 Prophylactic moves are commonplace m
6 endgames. In those with rooks for instance,
it's often stated that one should place one's
5
rooks behind an opponent's passed pawns to
4 slow them down. This is often a good strategy,
3 but calculating the details is important!
2 59.gb8?
Up to this point, my legendary opponent
1
0 had played a fine endgame, but here he slips
a b c d e f g h up. On the eighth rank the rook doesn't
support, very well, the advance of his passed
pawns.
The precise move is 59J!b7! and I believe
that White should then win. Here is my
8 analysis: 59 ... g3 60.'~e2 ~e4 (if 60 .. J:h2t
7 then 61. i>fl etc)
6 (analysis diagram)
5
4 61.a7! (this is only possible because the rook
is on the seventh rank!) 61..J'~a2t 62.~fl
3
g2t 63.~gl ~f3 64JU7t ~g3 65.E!g7t ~f3
2
(if 65 ... ~h3 66.b6 Black is too slow: 66 ... e4
0 67.b7! e3 68.a8=W/) 66.~h2! and Black is
a b c d e f g h helpless.
59... g3
(diagram)
60.gg8
8
Or 60.~e2 E!a2t 61.~fl ~f4 62.E1f8t
7 which comes to the same thing.
6 60... ~f4 61.gfiJt i>g4 62.~e2 galt
5 63.~fl g2t 64.~gl ~g3 65.gg8t ~h3
66.gh8t 1/2-%
4
The white rook would have been perfect on
3 the seventh (and in particular on g7), from
2 where it could support the advance of the
white pawns, whilst keeping the g-pawn in
0 check.
a b c d e f g h
The moral here being: General considerations
are useful tools to help find ideas, but
calculation is absolutely necessary for
precision .
•
,•
Exercises
9-1 9-3
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h • 1
a b c d e f g h
The technique for winning this position
is important. Do you know it?
9-2 94
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0 0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
•
,• Glenn Flear Tactimania
40.. J3xd2t! 41.i.xd2 b2 Black needs to build a shelter for his king,
Promotion is inevitable. whilst cutting off its counterpart.
0-1 97...!!eS! 98.!!b8 <.fid2 99.!!d8t <.fid
100.!!c8t <.fid3 1Ol.!!d8t
9-2 G. Flear - H. Mas Or lO1.<.fifl E!e4 102.@f2 E!c4.
Hastings 2001/2 101...<.fic4 102.!!c8t !!cS
This technique has been associated with
4l.~xe7t ixe742.a7 Lucena for the last 500 years!
And the pawn will become a queen. 0-1
1-0 9-4 D. Sellos - G. F1ear
Hem 1984
•
Excel in the Endgame! ,•
9-5 9-7
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
What result and why? How can White obtain excellent
winning chances?
9-6 9-8
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0
a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
How can White make good progress? How should Black continue?
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
Excel in the Endgame!
9-9
8
7
6
5
4
3
0 1
2
• a b c d e f g h
9-10
o
abc d e f g h
Which move poses Black
the most problems?
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
Excel in the Endgame! ,•
9-11 9-14
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h • abc d e f g h
What result and why?
9-12 9-15
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
• a b c d e f g h
o
abc d e f g h
Find a way to win a pawn.
9-13
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
• 1
a b c d e f g h
How to make progress?
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
Excel in the Endgame!
9-16 9-19
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
9-17 9-20
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0 0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
9-18
o
abc d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
e,
o 0
Excel in the Endgame!
9-21 9-24
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• 1
a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
What result and why?
9-22 9-25
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0 0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
What result and why?
9-23
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
0
a b c d e f g h
What result? Can you find
a convincing line of play?
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
Excel in the Endgame!
9-26 9-29
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0
a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
Can White win? What result? Any particular reason?
9-27 9-30
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0
a b c d e f g h
• a b c d e f g h
What result and why? Find the best line of play for Black.
9-28
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
• a b c d e f g h
What result and why?
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
Excel in the Endgame!
9-31 9-33
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
Can you find a way for Black to make What result?
progress and ultimately win?
9-32 9-34
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0 0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
How should White continue? What result?
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
Excel in the Endgame!
9-35 9-37
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0
a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
What result and why? How to make progress?
9-36 9-38
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
How should Black continue? What result and why?
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
White's bishop dominates its counterpart. I found the right way in the game.
S7.~eS!~d8 S2 ... fi:lMt! S3.~g4 £3! S4.<Jig3
The exchange of bishops after 57 ...i xe5 If 54.cj-;xh4? f2, the pawn goes all the way.
58.fxe5! cj-;e6 59.cj-;d3 cj-;d5 60.cj-;c3 cj-;e6 S4... c.fie; SS.~c6 ~gS
61 .cj-;c4 transposes to the game continuation. With two pawns to the good, Black is now
S8. ~d3 ~e7 S9.~h8 ~d8 60.~g7 ~c7 winning comfortably.
61.ieS !xeS S6.~e4 c.fihS S7 .~d3 gS S8.~e4 ~h6 S9 .~d3
Following6l...id8 62.~d6 Black's bishop is ~g7 60.~g4 ~f6 61.in a6 62~d3 fi:lg6
out of moves, so Black's king must cede terrain, 63.ixg6 ~g6 64.~xf.3 ~h5 6S. ~e4
for example 62 ... cj-;e6 63.cj-;c4 cj-;d7 64.d5 etc. Or 65.cj-;g3 a5.
62.fxeS ~e6 63.~c4 £4 64.~d3 ~e; 6S.dS! 6S ... ~M 66.~e; as 0-1
adS 66.bS! ~xeS 67.b6 1-0
One of the pawns will land on the eighth 9-38 A. Grischuk - G. Flear
rank. French League 2006
A good example to show that we shouldn't
be too dogmatic about what constitutes a good White can get away with capturing the b5-
or bad bishop! pawn and is therefore winning!
4UhbS!~bS
9-36 J. Lautier - G. Flear If 41...a2, then the sequence 42.~e6t cj-;g7
Dortmund 1989 43.l!b7t cj-;f6 44.~xa2 wins.
42.~xbS ~f8
Black needs to make a passed pawn Not 42 ... a2?, because of the check 43 .~c4t.
immediately. 43.~c4 ~e7 44.~h2 c.fid6 4S.~g3 ~cS
39... aS! 46.~dS c.fid4 47.~g4 h6 48.M ~e3 49.hS
In the game, I played the imprecise gxhSt SO.~xhS ~fl
39 ... cj-;e6?!, and after 40.cj-;f3, only then did I No better is 50 ... a2 51 ~xa2 cj-;xe4 52.cj-;xh6
push 40 ...a5, which proved to be too late. The cj-;f4 53.cj-;h5 e4 54 .g4 e3 55.ic4 etc.
remaining moves were 41.bxa6 bxa6 42.g4! Sl.~xh6 ~g2 S2.~gS ~£3 S3.~e; 1-0
fxg4t (or 42 ... a5 43.gxf5t cj-;xf5 44.lLlc3
lLlxd4t 45.cj-;e3 lLlb3 46.lLlxd5=) 43.cj-;xg4
lLle3t (43 ... a5 44.f5t 00 45.cj-;f4 a4 46.lLlc3
a3 47.cj-;e5 lLle3 48.lLla2=) 44.cj-;f3 lLlf5
45. cj-;f2 a5 46.cj-;e 1 lLle3 47.cj-;d2 lLlg2 48.cj-;c3
cj-;f5 49.cj-;b3 cj-;e4 50.lLlc3t cj-;xd4 51.lLlxd5
cj-;xd5 52.cj-;a4 lLlxf4 53.cj-;xa5 '12- '12.
40.bxa6 bxa6 41.~f3 as 42.g4
Alternatively, if 42.lLlc3 lLlxd4t 43.cj-;e3
lLlc2t 44.cj-;d2 lLlb4, then Black wins.
42 ... fxg4t 43.~g4 a4 44.!ilc3 a3 4S.~e;
fi:lxd4t 46.~eS fi:le2! 47.fi:lal d4 48.~e4
fi:lc3t
Black is on the road to victory.
•
<> •
o
Vigorously resisting until the bitter end is the way to save many a dubious position.
In order to develop this theme, I will be combining the themes of the previous two chapters,
Defensive technique and endgame play.
In those cases where one is worse in a simplified position, just staving off the opponent's tactical
tricks may not be enough. Apart from the evident requirement to analyse carefully whilst paying
attention to detail, the defender should in my opinion be asking themselves the following question:
What should the overall strategy be to save the game?
If you believe that you can hold a difficult position without changing anything very much, then
simply temporizing may be the best way to defend. Why bother to undertake anything positive
when, more likely than not, it would help your opponent?
If, on the other hand, sitting on your hands will simply enable your opponent to make inexorable
progress, then you will need to play more actively. The may mean straight away, or sometimes only
after due preparation.
The word 'active', in the context of endgames, can mean several things such as 'starting a counter-
attack', 'creating a diversion', 'provoking a forcing continuation' or simply 'placing a queen or rook
on a square from where it will be able to harass the opponent' .
In the following exercises, the solution will often need a certain activity on the part of the
defender, but not always!
G. Flear - M. Chandler
8
London 1990
7
6 White has to react immediately.
5 49.a4!
The passive 49.mc3? loses to 49 ...a5
4 50. mc2 b4 5l.a4 ma 1 52. mb3 mb l.
3 49 •.• bxa450.mel
2 Black is unable to win.
%-1/2
0
a b c d e f g h
G. Flear - M. Chandler
Blackpool 1988
•
Until the Biner End!
71.ge4t!
I could also have continued to temporize,
but this tactical shot trades rooks and leads to
a clear draw.
71...gxe4 72.Bt i>f5 73.fxe4t i>g474.e5 ib8
o 75.e6 id6 76.e7 he7 77. i>hl id6 78. i>g2
abc d e f g h
ie779.i>hl i>B 80.i>gl id6 81.i>hl i>f2
82.g4!
82.Wh2 allows 82 ... h4, but even this is
drawn after 83.Wh l.
82... hxg4 Stalemate! Yl-1f2
82 ... h4 83.g5 .if4 84.g6 .ie5 85.g7 .ixg7
86.Wh2 .ie5t 87.Whl! is a book draw if
White stays in the corner, due to the inevita-
bility of stalemate if Black gets too close.
G. Flear - V. Epishin
Spanish League 2008
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
G. Flear - G. Szitas
Valras-plage 1996
• a b c d e f g h
61...me6 62id4 md6 63.e4 fxe4 64.fxe4
me6 65.ic3 md6 66.e5t me6 67.md4
... and the king doesn't have to give way, as
Black can now temporize with his knight.. .
67... ~c2t Ih-1f2
•
Exercises
10-1 10-4
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0 0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
10·2 10-5
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h
0
1
a b c d e f g h
10-3
8
7
6
5
4
3
• a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
Until the Bitter End!
10-6 10-9
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0 0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
10-7 10-10
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0 0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
10-8
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
0
a b c d e f g h
Which of these would you opt for:
57.!l:f5, 57.i>f5 or 57.g5t?
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
10-6 M. Chandler - G. F1ear example 57 ... E:e3 (if 57 .. .E:h1, then 58.~f4
Bath 1987 E:fl t 59 .\tlg3; whilst following 57 .. .E:f3t
58.\tle4 E:fl 59.\tle3 g5 60.E:b4, White should
37.h4? hold) 58.\tlf4 E:e5 59.E:b2 etc.
Thecalm move 37 .\tlfl! would emphasize the 57... g5t! 58.<;t>e4 <;t>g6 59.g0
strange disposition of pieces along the d-file. Or 59.E:a5 E:g3 etc.
Black would be unable to unpin, and so would 59... gh4!
have nothing better than 37 ... E:f2t 38.\tlg1 If 59 ... E:xf3? 60.\tlxf3 ~f7 61.\tlf2! ~e6
E:d2 allowing 39.~fl! with an imminent draw 62.\tle2, White can use the distant opposition
by repetition. to make a draw.
37... gdl t 38.\tlh2lLlxb2 60.gg3 fSt 61. <;t>O f4
Now, Black unpins and has two extra Now having a protected passed pawn, Black
pawns. is well on the way to victory.
39.gxdl lLlxdl 40.ixb7 a5 41.<;t>g3 lLlc3 62.gg1 gh3t 63.<;t>f2 ~ 64.gg2 <;t>e5
42.a3 b5 0-1 65.gg1 <;t>e4 66.gg2 0 67.gg1 <;t>f40-1
This fortunate last-round victory enabled me
to obtain my final GM norm. 10-9 L. Milesi - G. F1ear
St Affrique 2002
10-7 C. Duncan - G. F1ear
Hastings 1993/4 51.g0!
My opponent failed to save the actual game:
36.gf7! 51.E:b8t? \tlc3 52.E:c8 E:d1 t 53 .\tla2 E:d5
Instead 36.g4? turned out to be a fatal loss 54.E:h8 ~c2 55.E:h4 c3 56.E:h2t E:d2 57.E:h1
of time in the game: 36 .. .E:f4 37.h3 b3 (now c4 58.E:g1 E:d 1 59.E:g2t \tld3 60.E:g3t \tld4
Black can get his rook behind his b-pawn) 61.E:g4t \tlc5 0--1.
38.E:h8 \tlc5 39.E:b8 E:b4 40.E:d8 b2 41.E:d 1 51. .. gh2
E:c40- 1. If 51 ... c3, White reacts with 52.E:f8 E:h2
36... b3 37.gfB! <;t>c7 38.gf7t <;t>c8 39.gfBt 53.E:b8t \tlc4 54.E:c8 c2t 55 .\tlb2.
<;t>d7 40.gf7t <;t>d6 41.gb7 c5 42.<;t>g2! 52.gg3
White isn't worse. It seems that if he has time White is able to draw using a technique
to get his rook behind the passed pawn, then associated with Philidor.
his chances of getting something out of the 52... gh8 53.g0 ga8 54.gg3 &3 55.gg2
game increase dramatically. gh3 56.<;t>b2 c3t 57.<;t>c2 c4 58.gg8
Black will be unable to escape the checks.
10-8 P. Degembe - G. F1ear
St Vincent 2002 10-10 P. Wells - G. F1ear
Malta 1989
57.gf5?
The only move of the three that loses! 41.gxf7t! <;t>xf7 42.b7
Simplest is 57.g5t fxg5t 58.\tlg4! (but not One of the pawns will promote.
58.E:xg5?? E:f3t! 59. \tlxf3 \tlxg5 60.\tlg3 g6) 42... gxa7 43.b8=W1 gd7 44. <;t>f2lLl f6 45.W1 c8
58 .. .E:h4t 59 . ~g3 E:a4, as Black cannot do <;t>g7 46.W1c3 g5 47.<;t>g2 ge7 48.W1c5 <;t>fB
very much with a pair of g-pawns, e.g. 60.E:b3 49.W1fS gf7 50.<;t>h2 h6 IIz-V2
\tlh5 61.E:c3 E:a1 62.E:b3 g4 63.E:b5t g5
64.E:b8 E:a3t 65.~g2 g3 66.E:b4 g4 67.E:b8.
Otherwise, 57.\tlf5 is also possible, for
•
Until the Biner End!
10-11 10-14
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
Black played 66 ...~xf3.
Was this a good choice?
10-12
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
0
a b c d e f g h
10-13
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
• a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
Until the Bitter End!
10-15 10-18
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h • abc d e f g h
Black played 42 .. .!Zxa7. Was this wise?
10-16 10-19
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0 o
a b c d e f g h abc d e f g h
Would 51.~e4t be a good idea?
10-17 10-20
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
• a b c d e f g h
o
abc d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
In this chapter, you will be confronted with a selection of relatively difficult exercises, involving a
wide mix of tactical themes.
My advice is to take your time! There is no rush! Get a good feel for what is going on, then find
the variations that will help you avoid traps, and ultimately, enable you to select the next move
with confidence.
You won't be certain in these exercises if you are seeking something dramatic or quiet,
advantageous, or only equalizing, but this is exactly the case in our own complicated struggles.
Don't be put off if you find them tough. If you have understood many of the essentials of the
position, you will give yourself chances to find the best move. Indeed you may at times be able to
do better than the players in the actual game!
• abc d e f g h
32.'lWf4 with a White advantage) 29.~e2
'lWh5t 30. ~el gxf2t 31.~xf2 tlJe4 t 32 ..ixe4
'lWh4t 33.~gl ~xe4 34.tlJxc6t bxc635.~xc6
G. Flear - F. Westphal 'lWxc6 (if 35 ...'lWxdt 36.~hl 'lWe5 37.'lWd7
Dortmund 1985 both kings are vulnerable, but White is still
better) 36.~xc6 ~xe3 37.~f2 ~d3 38.~c2
The question could be: Black should decide and I went on to win the endgame... 1-0.
between 27 ...gxf2, 27 ... tlJf3 and 27 ... ~b8 . 28.\Wg7t <j;>b8 29.\Wxg5 \Wglt 30.<j;>e2
Which one would you opt for? ib5t 31.<j;>d2fl=\W 32.~xfl \Wxfl33.\Wf4t
As a rule, I have given plenty of detail in \Wxf4 34.exf4 Ele2t
the answers in order to convince you of my When Black is on top.
assessments!
G. Flear - C. Adrian
French League 1997
• a b c d e f g h
get away with 29.~e3!, whereupon Black
would ha ve to accept a dodgy endgame.
29.'i'd7 \Wxf4t 30.<j;>e2 \We4t!
Also possible was 30 ...'lWfl t 31.~xd2
'lWf4t!.
31.<j;>dl \Wg4t 32.~d2 \Wd4t 33.<j;>c2
\Wc4t 34.<j;>bl \Wd3t 35.<j;>a2 \Wxd5t I/Z_%
•
Exercises
11-1 11-4
8 8
7 7
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0
a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
Would White be wise to
capture the bishop?
11-2 11-5
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
Black has to choose between How can Black hold?
23 ... 'lJd5 and 23 ...i.xe2.
11-3
, 7 1
8
7
'1
6
5
1.
4
3
2
•
0
a b c d e f g h
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
Tricky Decisions
11-6 11-9
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0
a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
What is the defensive idea?
11-7 11-10
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0 0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
11-8
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
0
a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
Tricky Decisions
11·11 11·14
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
o 0
abc d e f g h abc d e f g h
11·12 11·15
o
abc d e f g h • abc d e f g h
11·13
o
abc d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
11-11 M. Huerga Leache - G. Flear i.d4t 29.Wh 1 Wf7 30.i.c3 i.xc5, no longer
San Sebastian 2009 had any advantage.
Alternatively, 26.'& e2? is also inferior because
43.~e6! of 26 ...i.xc5t 27.Wfl f3!.
The game was drawn after 43.b5? Wh7! 26 .. Jhd2
44.g4 ~c2t 45 .~g3 ~b1 46.ltJf5 (if 46.~g8t If 26 ... i.xc5t, White has 27.i.e3!.
Wxh6 47. ~h8t Black has the handy defensive 27.ltJe4 ~d5 28.~c3
move 47 ... ~h7) 46 .. .~gl t Yz- Y2. . .. with a big advantage.
Otherwise after 43.g4? Wh7 44.g5 '&c2t
45.Wg3 '&c1 46.ltJg4 '&gl t, White's king can't 11-14 G. Flear - J. Fedorowicz
escape from the checks. Chicago 1983
43 ...~c2t
Following 43 ... '&xe6 44.dxe6 gxh6 45.b5 25.E:h4?
i.d8 46.b6, the bishop is overloaded. A blunder.
44.~h3 ~h7 45.~fSt An improvement is 25.E:e2, e.g. 25 ...i.f6
... with a winning endgame. 26.i.b3 E:e8 27.i.c5 ltJc8 28.i.xf7 E:xe7
29 .i.xe7 ltJxe7 when the result would be in
11-12 M. Grignon - G. F1ear doubt.
Narbonne-plage 2010 The nuance, 25 .E:f4 f5 26.E:b4 offers a better
version of the game, as after 26 ...i.f8 (26 ... E:e8
3IJ~f1!
can be well met by 27.ltJxg6! Wxg6 28.i.xb6)
The game continuation was disappointing
27.i.xb6 i.xe7 28.E:d4, the resource E:d7
for my opponent: 31 .ltJxe4? ~f3 32.~d3
comes to White's rescue.
(32.'&xf7t? '&xf7!) 32...ltJxd 33.E:c8t Wg7
25 ... E:e8
34.E:c2 ~fl t 0- 1.
The knight is out of squares!
Another plausible move is 31.'&e2!?,
26.~c5 ~f8 27.a4 as 28JU4 fS 29.~xb6
although then 31...'&f3 32.E:e1 h6!? 33.~g2
cxb6 30.~xfS gd5 31.E:xfS ~g6 32.~c2
~xg2t 34.Wxg2 E:f2t 35.Wg1 E:xh2 36.ltJxe4
E:el t 33.~d2 ~b4t 0-1
E:a2 would offer Black reasonable drawing
chances.
11-15 G. F1ear - J. Cooper
31...~xe3
Blackpool1988
Alternatively, 3l...~xfl t 32.'&xfl E:xf1 t
33.Wxfl ltJxe3t 34.We2 ltJf5 35.d5 g4
The modest-looking move ...
36.tLlxe4 W 37.Wd3 would be difficult for
29 ...~c4!
Black.
...embarrasses White.
32.~xf7t ~xf7 33Jhf6t ~xf6 34.~xe4t
My opponent instead continued with
~fS 35.~d6t ~e6 36.~b5 a6 37.~c7t
the natural 29 ... E:e2?, but it proved to be
~d6 38.~xa6 ~c4 39.~c5 ~xa5 40.~e4t
ineffective: 30.E:xe2 E:xe2 31.i.f6 ~d2?
~d5 41.~xg5
(31 ...i.d8! 32.~d4 ~xd4 33.i.xd4 i.b6 with
I think that White should be winning here.
sporting chances to hold out) 32.'&h3! 1- 0.
30.gg1
11-13 O. Jackson - G. F1ear
If 30.Wg2 E:d5 31.b3, Black has a win with
Hastings 1983/4
31...E:xd4!.
26.~f3! 30...~xd4 31.~xd4 E:h6t 32.~g2 ge2t
My opponent instead opted for 26.ltJe4?, but 33.gxe2 ~xe2t 34.~f2 gh2t
following 26 ... E:xd3 27.ltJxf6t i.xf6 28.cxd3 And wins.
•
Tricky Decisions
11-16 11-19
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4
3 3
2 2
0 o
abc d e f g h abc d e f g h
10-17
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
o
abc d e f g h
11-18
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
o
abc d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
I chose the wrong square! The best bet in this sharp position is .. .
37.~gl! 41.gb7!
...is correct. ... with complications that seem to be about
In the game, following37 .~fl ?~xb7 38.~c6 equal, for example:
~a6, the pin was bad news for White, and then 41. .. ftJd6! 42J'k7t! ~d5 43.ic6t ~e5
the further moves 39 .~gl ~a1t 40.~ h2 ~fl 44.ge7 dxc3t 45.~c3 gbl46.ixd6t ~d6
4l.~d7t ~ ffi 42.~f5t ~ g8 enabled Black to 47.gxe6t ~xe6 48.ixB
obtain a winning position. The endgame is drawn .
37...Wlxh3 Alternatives in the initial position are not as
The difference here after 37 ...~xb7 38 .~c6, trustworthy:
is that Black cannot count on the deadly pin 1) Following 4l.gc7t?! ~b6 42.gc6t ~ b7
that occurs in the previous note. 43.i.e5 i.d5!, the passed f-pawn offers Black
38.ftJ7xd6t ~ffi 39.Wlfl Wlg4t 40.~h2 the advantage.
There is nothing better than taking a 2) The game continued with41.cxd4t?! ~d5!
perpetual check. 42 . ~c3? (White has more practical chances
with 42.ga7! ~xd4! 43.ga3 f2 44.i.a7t ~d5)
11-17 G. Flear-A. Vajda 42 ...gb1 43.i.h5 ~xd4 44.i.g3 tLle2t 45.@d2
Montpellier 2003 tLlxg3 46.i.xf3t ~ e5 47.ge7 tLlf5 48.ge8 ggl
49.i.e2lLld60-1.
White can even dare capture the pawn with ...
6o.Wlxc6! 11-19 G. Flear - L. Gutman
.. .as then .. . London 1987
6o...Wlc2t 61.~e3 Wlb3t 62.~d4 Wlxb4t
63. ~d5 Wlb3t 64. ~d6 It was so hard to find the best move at the time,
.. .yields a decisive advantage. especially as I had just let slip a big advantage.
Unfortunately, this is just analysis, as at 48.e5!
the time my blunder 60.~c4?? allowed Black Black has too many threats in each of the
to turn the tables: 60 ...gg7 6l.~f3 ~g4t following variations:
62.~f2 &7 63.b5 cxb5 64 .~xb5 ~xe6 65.c6 1) 48 .~xh3? ~e3 49.tLlxa5 b3-+
f5 66. ~b2t ~h7 67.g4 ~e1 t 68.~f3 ~h1 t 2) 48 .~e2? i.xh2 49 .~xh2 b3- +
69.~g3 ~gl t O- l. 3) 48.tLlxa5? (the game) 48 ... i.xh2 49.~xh3
Another try 60.~e2, leads to complicated ~xa5 50.~xh2 b3 51.~e2 ~xa4 52 .~d3 ~b4
play: 60 ... gg8 (60 ...gxf4t 6l.gxf4 ~xf4t 53 .~e3 ~c4 54 . ~f3 ~c2t 0-1.
62.~f3 ~xh2t 63. ~ fl ~g7 64.~xc6 ~f4t 48 ... Wle3 49.ftJxa5 £Xe5
65. ~ gl ~xb4 is messy, but nevertheless Better than 49 .. .i.xh2?! 50.exf6t ~xf6
probably drawn) 6l.e7 ge8 62 .~el ~b1t 5l.~xh3 i.xg3 52.~h8t ~f5 53 .~ a2, when
63. ~ f2 ~f5= White would have the superior position.
50.£Xe5 Wle4t 51.~a2 Wlxd5t 52.ftJb3 Wld7
53.Wlxgl Wlxa4t 54.@bl Wlxb3 55.Wld4
With a balanced endgame.
•
Tricky Decisions
11-20 11-22
8
7
6
5
4
. ",,,,,"""".,,,,
3
2
o o
abc d e f g h abc d e f g h
11-21
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
• 1
abc d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
11-20 G. F1ear -A. Martidis Wxg4 45.h3t Wh5 46.!1.xh6t Wxh6 47.~f8t
Heraklion 1984 Wg6 48.!1.g7t Wh6 49.£xd7t Wg6 50.!1.g7t
Wh6 51.!1.c7t Wg6= and all that ... is basically
22.h3!! forced!
With so many pieces already in the thick of Alternatively, 36.!1.f6t ~xf6 37.!1.xf6t Wxf6
battle, it's surprising that this modest pawn 38.~xc5t Wf5 39 .~b1 !1.ee2, wouldn't give
move is correct. Black any problems.
22...ih5 23.i.xa2?! 36.. J3e2 37.Y«bl t Y«e4 38.!1.f6t i>h7
Even stronger is 23.g4! !1.xe 1t 24.!1.xe 1 ~b2 39.!1.f7t i>g8 40.!1.ffit i>h7 41.!1.1f7t i>g6
25.i.xc6. 42.!1.f6t i>h7=
23 .. &d3 24.g4! III d4!
24 ...!1.xe1 t? 25.!1.xe1 just suits White. 11-22 D. Anderton - G. Flear
25.i>fl !1.dd2? British League 2006
White is certainly better after 25 ...!1.xh3, but
Black could retain hope, e.g. 26J%xe2 lllxe2 26.g3!
27.!1.c4 ~xg4 (similarly with 27 ...~g6 28.liJ d5 My opponent played 26.ttlh6t?, but he
h5 29.!1.c8t Wh7 30.Wxe2) 28.!1.xg4 ttlc3 didn't obtain any compensation for his pawn
29.~c4. after 26 ... '&xh6 27.£xd4 ~g5 28.'&d3 !1.xd4
26.!1.xe2liJxe2 27.!1.e1 ig6 28.ic4! 1-0 29. ~xd4 a6 .
Even worse, 26.£xd4? £xd4 27.'&xd4?, loses
11-21 P. Large - G. F1ear on the spot to 27 ... !1.el t.
Southport 1983 26 ... !1.e1 t!
26 ... ttlf3t leads to a draw, e.g. 27.Wg2
35.. .'IWxe6! ~xc4 28.£xd8 ttlh4t 29 .Wh2 ttlf3t 30.Wg2
I played 35 ...dxe6? which should lose: ttlh4t=.
36.'&c7?? (missing a win with 36.'&b1! '&e4 27.gxel!
37.!1.e1!) 36...~b7 37.'&a5 !1.xg2! 38.~c3 !1.g4 Instead, 27.Wh2? is refuted by 27 ...!1.xd1
39.'&f6t Wh7 40.h3!1.h4 41.Wg1 e5 42 .~f7t 28.!1.xd1 b5!.
~xf7 43.!1.xf7t Wg6 44.!1.lf6t Wh5 45.!1.h7 27... liJ f3t
~xh3 46.~xc5 !1.c4 47.!1.fxh6t Wg4 48.~e3 White would obtain a strong initiative after
!1.b8 49.!1.xh3 !1.b3 50.Wh2 !1.c2t 0-1. 27 ... ~xd2?! 28.£e7.
The final way to capture the pawn, 28.i>hl Y«xd2 29.ge3 gd4!
35 ...!1.xe6?, isn't great: 36.'&d8 !1.xg2 37.'&xc8 The retreat 29 ... ttlg5? is bad because of
!1.d2 38.'&g8t Wh5 39.~f7t !1.g6 40 .~xc5! 30.'&f4 with an attack.
with advantage. The bishop is taboo, and Nor is 29 ...'&d1 t?! 30.Wg2 ttle 1t satisfactory,
the endgame will be difficult to hold a piece because White would then have 31.!1.xe I! ~ xe 1
down. 32.liJh6t Wg7 33 . ~xf7t Wxh6 34.~f4t Wg7
Finally, 35 ... ~d2?! 36.!1.g1 '&b4 (36 ...dxe6? 35 .~c7t Wh6 36.~xd8 with all the chances.
37.~c6) 37.~xb4 cxb4 38.e7, yields the better 30.lilh6t! i>h8! 31.ge8t i>g7 32.Y«xf7t
game for White. i>xh633.Y«xf3
36.h3! Or 33.'&f8t Wg5 34.Wg2 ~d1 35.'&xf3=.
Instead, 36. ~b1 ~e4 37.~a1 '&d4 38 .~b1 33...Y«dlt 34.Y«xdl gxdlt 35.i>g2 gd7=
'&d2 39.!1.3f2 ~2 40.!1.f6t seems to be equal.
Continuing further, the variation leads to an
aesthetic conclusion, i.e. 40 ... Wh7 41.!1.f7t
Wg6 42.!1.lf6t Wh5 43.~fl !1.el 44.g4t
•
AI; we approach the end of the book, it's time for a chapter with experienced players in mind.
In hard-fought encounters, when play becomes murky, we are often confronted with situations
where it is impossible to see as much as we would like. Nevertheless, in our own games, whatever
the difficulty, we still have to make our next move.
You will, as usual, be asked to maximize the chances for the side whose turn it is, but here to
justify your decision, you will probably have to delve even deeper into the labyrinth of variations.
As in the real world, even if you think that you have found the key move, it will at times be just
one step along the long and winding road towards an unknown destination!
Later, in the solutions, you will be able to see how close your line of reasoning and calculations
were to mine.
These relatively tougher exercises are ideal for training purposes, and you rna y find that comparing
your efforts with those of some friends will enable you to get closer to the truth of what is really
going on.
You can, if you like, also test yourself in a more concrete manner than in the previous chapters.
In the solutions you will notice that I have included a point-scoring system. This is roughly based
on the principle that each move in the variations that earns a '!' is worth a point. So scribble down
plenty of variations, and then compare them with those in the solutions, as you will increase your
chances of a good score!
The maximum number for each exercise is indicated at the beginning of each solution. There are,
in total, 78 points to be scored:
As a general rule, an effective way of improving your playing level is to analyse complicated positions
and try to find the best continuation. If you do this regularly (without an analysis engine!) you will soon
notice the difference in your over-the-board calculating ability.
Chess is not an Easy Game
• a b c d e f g h
4U;gl ~xf2t 42.~g2 dl=W 43Jhdl
~xdl 44.Wd4 Wd5t!
The last one may seem deep into the game,
but the final '!' would still earn you a seventh
point!
So this introductory example could (if
it were a real exercise) have given you a
maximum of seven points.
There is no obligation to bother with
scoring, you have the choice, but it may help
you to be even more focused on your search
for 'tactical points'!
•
,seOIS' (lUSN!!!
Exercises
12-1 12-3
8 8
7 7
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0 0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
12-2 12-4
8
7
7
6
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
Chess is not an Easy Game
12-5 12-7
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
0 0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
12-6 12-8
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0 0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
12-5 G. Flear - D. Leygue The other tries are no better: 45 ... g5? (too
Creon 2001 weakening for Black's king) 46.fxg5 f4 is met
(4 points) with 47.'M!g4; whilst after 45 ... a3 (too slow)
26.lOc3! (1) 46.lUxf5 'M!xg2t 47.Wxg2 i.xg2 48.lUd4 only
White brings the last piece into play and can White can ha ve serious winning aspirations.
count on some advantage. 46.lOxc4 Wfe2 47.Wfxg2 Wfxc4 48.Wfxa8
On the other hand, after 26.e8= Wt?! lUxe8 Wfxf4t=
27.!he8t !:lxe8 28.i.xe8 a6, it's not clear who
is better. 12-7 A. Antunes - G. Flear
26 ... a6 27.lOe4! (1) Pau 1988
Trading a ff Black's knight. (3 points)
27... lOxe4 28Jhe4 id4t 21.g4! (1)
If 28 ... axb5 29.e8='M!t !:lxe8 30.!:lxe8t White has to react immediately.
i.ffi, White wins by continuing with 31.!:la I! 21..J!fd8 22.gxf5 !:ldl 23.!:lxdl !:lxdl
(1) 3l...~g7 (or 31...f5 32.!:laa8 !:lf6 33.d6) 24.Wfa8t Wf7 25.fxe6t ~e7 26.~xe3! (1)
32.!:laa8 as the bishop is lost. 26.'M!g8! (1) comes to the same thing, and is
29.!:ldxd4! (1) 29 ... cxd4 30.e8=Wft !:lxe8 also worth a point.
31.l::lxe8t ~g7 32.ic4 b5 33.ia2 1-0 However, not 26.~xd1? in view of
26 .. .f1=Wt 27.lUe 1i.f2when Black is winning:
12-6 C. Carton - G. Flear 28.We4 'M!xe 1t 29.Wxe 1 i.xe 1 30.~xe 1 ~xe6
French League 2002 31. ~e2 ~xe5 etc.
(4 points) 26 ... f1=Wf 27.Wfg8!:le1 t 28.~f4! (1) 1-0
42.c6! (1)
The initiative is all important. 12-8 G. Flear - S. Garza Marco
The game ended as follows: 42.cxd5? i.xd5 Spanish League 2006
43.!:lxd7 (best would have been 43.!:lb2 We 1 (4 points)
with only a slight edge for Black) 43 ... Wd2 42.g6! (1) 42 ... hxg6 43.!:l6d5t ~c6
44.'M!g3 'M!xg2t! 45.'M!xg2 i.xg2 46.~xg2 a3 44.!:lh5!! (2)
47.lUxf5 a2 48.l%d1 a1='M! 49.l%xa1l%xa1 50.c6 Two points for this excellent shot!
l%cl 5I.lUe7 g6 52.~f3 ~g7 53.f5 g5 54.~e4 44... l'H2
l%e1 to-I. The desperate counter 44 ... l%gl t 45.~b2
42 ... dxc4! (1) l%g2t 46.~a3 i.b 1 is met by 47.b4! (1).
The weaker 42 ... dxc6? even loses, e.g. 45.h7l'H846.h8=Wf ihh8 47Jhh81-O
43.Wb2l%g844.lUe8.
43.c7! (1)
The complications are not at all dear, but
instead, following the inferior 43.cxd7?, the pawn
would be rapidly lost after 43 ... l%d8 etc.
43...id5
If 43 ... c3, matters seem to be balanced:
44.l%b8 Wxc7 45.l%xa8 c2 46.l%c8 cl ='M!
47.Wxcl Wxd6=.
44.!:lb5 Wfd2 45.Wfg3! (1)
Otherwise, 45.!:lxd5 'M!xd5 46.c8=W l%xc8
47.lUxc8 Wd2 favours Black.
45 ...ixg2
•
Chess is not an Easy Game
12-9 12-11
• abc d e f g h • abc d e f g h
12-10
o
abc d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
Chess is not an Easy Game
12-12 12-14
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• abc d e f g h • abc d e f g h
12-13
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
Chess is not an Easy Game
12-15 12-16
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
abc d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
In my calculations at the time, I
couldn't work out how to react if 12-17
Black plays 23 •.. ~xh2. Can you?
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
abc d e f g h
I continued with 69.';t>g3.
Black then has two tempting moves:
69 .. l3xd4 and 69 ... g5. Which is best?
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
Chess .IS not an Easy Game
12-18 12-20
8
7
6
5
o o
a
12-19
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
How many points did you manage from the 78 available?
•
/
The Tactimania adventure is drawing to a close, but the show {of tactics} must go on! In future,
whatever your strength may be, if chess stays fun for you, then your tactical development won't
come to an abrupt halt at the end of this book.
I suggest, in order to make further progress, that you always treat chess with an inquisitive
attitude. Essentially, this means keeping your mind open to alternative ideas whilst regularly seeking
improvements in all phases of the game. If your instinct is thus switched on, then your ability to
find combinational solutions will be heightened, whether you are playing or only analysing.
Before getting to the last page, I hope that you are ready and willing for one final series of exercises.
These may seem to be relatively tough, but after your efforts in the preceding twelve chapters,
I hope that you are now well and truly pumped-up for this, the ultimate challenge!
I have again used an optional points-scoring system, so that you can, if desired, evaluate your
efforts and even compare them with others.
Here, each exercise will score either two or three points, and the maximum for the whole
chapter is 50.
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
Here is an example to get you in the mood for the Tactimania test!
B
In this example, I could ask the question:
7 How to continue with Black?
6 The reply could be as follows:
5 (2 points) This indicates the maximum
4 score for this particular exercise.
16.. .'I!~g6! (1 )
3
One point. The available points are often
2 associated with exclamation marks, but not
• a b c d e f g h
always .
This precise move shows that White's pieces
are badly tangled.
My opponent missed his chance and instead
played 16 ... ~e7? However, after 17.f3 gafB
(or 17... ttlxh6 IB.ttle6 ttlf7 19.ttlxc5 dxc5
20.d6t!) IB .fxg4 i.xg4 19.ttlge4 ttlxe4
20.ttlxe4 ~f4 21 .~xf4 gxf4 22.gg5 , it was
White who had won material, and after a
hard struggle, eventually the game.
B Otherwise, the tempting combination
16 ...ttlxf2? 17. ~xf2 i.g6t 18.~gl i.xh5
7
doesn't work, because of 19.i.xh5t with
6
check!
5 17.liJxh7
4
3 (diagram)
2
17...~xh7! (1)
• 1
a b c d e f g h
If you saw this far, and intended this move
(in your calculations) then you would be able
to award yourself a second point.
Black has excellent winning chances.
•
The Tactirnania Test
13-1 134
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0
a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
What result and why? How should Black continue?
13-2 13-5
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0
a b c d e f g
What result? ?Ie you sure!?
h • a b c d e f g h
Playing Black, I accepted a draw offer
13-3 at this point, but could have played
for more. How?
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
a b c d e f g h
•
Find the most convincing
continuation for White.
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
The Tactimania Test
13-6 13-9
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
Can you find a method for Black How should Black continue?
to win a second pawn?
13-7 13-10
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0 0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
Can you find the best defence? What is White's best move?
13-8
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
0
a b c d e f g h
•
What result and why?
/
----
The Tactimania Test
•
The T actimania Test
13-11 13-13
• abc d e f g h
o
abc d e f g h
Black has to choose between How to win?
20 .. J~!ad8, 20 ...4Jd4 or 2o ...ig4.
How many of these are bad?
Which move is your preference?
13-12
• abc d e f g h
Black has an extra pawn. Can you find
a convincing winning method?
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
The Tactimania Test
13-14 13-15
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
How to draw with Black? What result and why?
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
The Tactimania Test
13-16 13-18
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0 0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
What result and why? Are you sure? What result and why?
13-17
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
0
abc d e f g h
How cowin?
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
The Tactimania Test
13-19 13-20
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• 0
abc d e f g h abc d e f g h
Find the continuation that demonstrates Find the winning combination.
how Black can draw.
Glenn Flear Tactimania
•
The Tactimania Test
The last example in the book demonstrates how one can find some delightful variations by going
through one's own games. Whether this is done alone, with an opponent, some friends, and (why
not!) perhaps with at least the partial assistance of an analysis engine. In any case, keep analysing
in order to improve your game!
•
Index of the Flears' Opponents
For the exercises, the number refers to the page on which the solution appears.
A Borchert 14
Aagaard 64,236 Bordi 186
Abramovic 22 Borne 154
Adorjan 22 Boudre 62,66,98,170,234,252
Adrian 210 Boyne 132
Ady 74, 174 Bricard 18,86,250
Aguettaz 232 Britton 94, 100, 158
Anderton 220 Bryson 22
Andruet 22, 76, 134, 236 BuckJey 25,36
Anic 138 Burgess 14
Ansell 78 Burnett 226
Antunes 230 Buscara 58,96, 152
Argandona Riveiro 128,208
C
Arkell 38, 72, 140, 150
Calvin 46
Astasio Lopez 256
Campos Moreno 156
Attiel 72
Capitanio 162
Audiffren 136
Carron 230
Ayral 54
Casa 80
Azmaiparashv iii 78
Cernousek 142
B Chabanon 168
Bacrot 238 Chandler 198,204
Baker 82 Chaplin 90
Barnes 184 Chatalbashev 116
Baron Rodriguez 170 Chevaldonnet 192
Barsov 168 Christiansen 164
Basman 76 Chuchelov 214
Basora Pascual 25,96 Coleman 106
Bauer 121 Collas 118, 148
Becker 62 Collin 42
Bell 108 Condie 72
Bellon Lopez 192 Conquest 162, 168, 192
Benito lmaz 54 Cooper 216
Bernard 18, 166 Coriat 166
Berthelot 154 Coste 126
Beudaerr 202 Cullip 32
Bissieres 48 Curto 56
Blarny 196
18 D
Blum
168
D'Amore 154
Boleski
Danner 214
Bologan 118
•
Glenn F1ear Tactimania
•
Index of the Flears' Opponents
•
Glenn F1ear Tactimania
•
Index of the Flears' Opponents