The Grunfeld Defense – Set 5

GM Sam Shankland

Question 1.

An easy one!

What should Black do here with

both sides having hanging
bishops?

Question 2.

Black’s king is under fire, but it’s

got protection.

How can Black counter-attack?

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Question 3.

Can you find the right move for

Black?

Question 4.

Barely protected pieces on the

board!

Can Black take advantage?

2
Question 5.

Loose pieces; sidelined kings.

What should Black do?

Question 6.

How should Black deal with the

threat to the a8 rook?

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Question 7.

In this position, White played dxe7

threatening to promote soon.

Find the correct counter blow.

Question 8.

White has succeeded in

weakening Black’s fortress.

What is the correct follow up?

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Question 9.

White has grabbed a pawn on a6.

Was that wise? Black to play.

Question 10.

Black has succeeded in defending

his king quiet well, but we still can
get an advantage.

How should White proceed?

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Question 11.

In this position, Black played Rg6

to stop g6.

What did he forget?

Question 12.

White is desperate to simplify the

position and enjoy his space
advantage and piece activity.

How should Black respond to the

offer of a queen trade?

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Question 13.

Black has been defending well but

now White has a decisive blow.

Can you find it?

Question 14.

What is the right move for Black

here?

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Question 15.

What is the most precise

continuation for White here,
considering Black’s lady is far
away from the weakened
kingside?

Question 16.

How can we take advantage of the

pin on the knight?

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Question 17.

In this position, Black has two

pawns against one on the
queenside and his pieces are
more advanced and better
coordinated.

What is the right continuation?

Question 18.

White is overextended. What can

Black do about that?

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Question 19.

White’s pieces are not really well

defended.

How can Black take advantage of

that?

Question 20.

Black has just played Be6 hitting

the Queen.

What should White play?

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 Solutions

1 1…Bg4 wins the exchange or the bishop.

2 1…gxf5 2.Nxfg Bg6! winning material.

3 1….Rxc3! 2.Qxc3 Bxd4 wins a pawn.
4 1….c5! wins a piece.

5 1…dxc4 2.Bxc4 Nf4 3.Rg1+ Kh6 followed by Ng6 winning the rook or the bishop.
6 1…g5! 2.Nxa8 gxf4 and we capture the knight on the next move.
7 1…Qxd1+! 2.Qxd1 Rxd1+ 3.Ke2 Rd2+ followed by Kd7, guarding the promotion
square.
8 1.Qxh5! finishes the game quickly.
9 1…Nd7 wins one of the rooks.

10 1.Rxh4! Rxh4 2.Qg5+ wins a pawn.

11 1.Nf6 followed by 2.Rh8 and mate on e8 is unstoppable.
12 1…Ng4+ 2.Ke2 Qxd6 3.Rxd6 Nxe3 4.Kxe3 Bh6 pins and wins the knight.
13 1.Qxf8+! Kxf8 2.Nd7+ wins a piece.
14 1…Rxf3 2.Kxf3 Nd2+ wins a piece.
15 1.Rxg6+ hxg6 2.Qxg6+ Kf8 3.Qf6+ mates.
16 1…e5! 2.f3 Rxc2+ 3.Kf1 Rd2 4.Nxb4 Rxb1 winning the exchange.
17 1…Rxd4 2.exd4 Rxd4 3.Nxd3 Rxd3 and White can’t meet all the threats.
18 1…Nxd4 hitting the center right away 2.Nxd4 Qxg5 wins a pawn.
19 1… Bxd4 2.Rxd4 Rxd4 3.Nxd4 Qd1+ and 4…Qxd4 wins a piece.
20 1.exf6! Bxc4 2.fxg7 Kxg7 3.Bxc4 with enough compensation for the queen.

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