Seeds of tactical destruction

Revisiting Seeds of Tactical Destruction

Wonderful series of articles

Tactical Motifs

Practice tactics

Tactics Trainer(demo + paid)

Ask the question - “What are tactical motifs in the position on the board”?

Most common motifs to look for are –

Another question to ask “Whats the ideal dream position I would like to reach”? . And, then figure out what is preventing that to happen.
So, lets try a process for a position.

First, try yourself. Then, move ahead.

In the above position, the major motif is back-rank weakness. The dream position black would like to reach is mate on e1.
But, the white queen can come to f1,after Qe1+.So, how can we exploit the weakness? How can we deflect the Queen?
The answer – Rxa3!! – a revolutionary move (as an author suggested in some book in relation to tactical blows).
It attacks queen- if queen takes the Rook on a3,then mate on e1 (Rxa3,Qxa3 Qe1+,Rxe1 Rxe1#).
If Queen goes to f1,then white is again mated (Rxa3,Qf1 Rxaq,Qxa1 Qe1+,Qxe1 Rxe1#). So, the best possible move for white is move the Rook,and give up queen. And, the end result is a hopeless position.

Now, give a try to below position(black to move). Answer will be posted in the comments.

Answer
What can we deduce from the position? The g-file is open, and black can give check with Rg6. The king can go to f1 or h1. If Kh1, then Qxf3+, Bxf3 forced and Rxe1 mate. But,king moves to f1. Then, Qh3++ mate.

• There are 6 chapters – Fabled Tree of Analysis, Blindfold Chess and Stepping Stone Diagram, The Art of Playing Bad Positions,Pattern Training, The Value of the Pieces, and Wisdom and Advice. At the end of each chapter, there is a summary of ideas covered.
• In the first chapter he talks about Kotov’s tree of analysis and variation processing.Have you ever analysed how you approach finding the move to play?
  He advises this approach – constant application of abstract assessment,scan for critical candidates, aim towards single critical variation.Then, he demonstrates the technique using an example.Which variations to tackle first? easier ones? or the difficult ones?
  He says “Constantly processing the information gleaned from concrete lines into verbal terms that can help us interpret the vitals signs of the position is an essential part of the technique.He conlcudes that “combined approach of concrete calculation and a verbal synthesis of the position is effective”.
• Stepping Stone – This technique is for improving the visualization of position on the board. This technique “consists of resetting the mind’s eye on the position at that point at which the student feels he is beginning to lose focus”.
  He explains that visualization and calculation are separate processes.He says “One calculates normally and uses visualization to provide stepping stones to increase the distance traveled from the original position”.
• In the chapter about playing bad positions, some ideas suggested are – create problems for your opponent, prolong resistance etc.
• Then, there is a whole chapter on pattern training – strategic and tactical.I feel patterns are useful as they become part of your subconsciousness and influence your choice of moves.
• Then, he talks about value of chess pieces and compensation.Its a long chapter with many brilliant examples on topics like bishop pair, don’t forget the value of king, sacrificing for attack, queen power, positional sacrifices.
• And, the last chapter has to offer wisdom and advice.The appendix consists of common mating patterns and tactical themes.

The author of the book is Jonathan Tisdall. You can look it up here.

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Practice visualisation and combinations

The shortest way to a day of rest for the chess pieces is a sharp combination – Bronstein ( The Sorecerer’s Apprentice)

Here is a beautiful combination from Bronstien’s own game –

As it can be seen from the diagram, Queen And Rook combine together,and are attacking ‘g1′ square.The ideal position for black is Qg1#.So, how can black clear the path for his queen?. Another thing to notice in the position is White King stuck in the corner, g-file and e-files are open on which black rooks are well placed.The brilliant move Bd3!! wins the game.The rest of the game -
Qxd3 Rg1+(luring King to g1 square),Kxg1 e2+(discovered check by Queen and threat is Qf2 and mate)Ne3 Rxe3,Qf5+ Re6+(another discovered check by Queen) Kh1,Qf2(..white resigned)

Life is like a game of Chess, changing with each move