Training Tests / CI 126

PIECE PLACEMENT IN THE OPENING

Page

White to move.
Find a surprising opening idea!

146

White to move.
Would you play the bishop to g2 or consider another move?

154

White to move.
Would you take the pawn on a2 or consider another move?

154

Black to move.
Do you move with the knight on c6 or capture on f3?

141

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 Training Tests / CI 126

COMBINING STRATEGICAL AND TACTICAL MEANS

Page

Black to move.
What is Black’s main idea?

32

Black to move.
What is Black’s main idea?

32

Black to move.
Find an attacking move for Black.

33

Black to move.
Find an attacking move for Black.

33

2
 Training Tests / CI 126

OPENING DEVELOPMENT & MIDDLEGAME TACTICS

Page

Black to move.
Calculate candidate moves for Black.

41

White to move.
How can White get an advantage?

42

White to move.
Find an idea for White to continue with the attack.

42

White to move.
Find an idea for White to continue with the attack.

42

3
 Training Tests / CI 126

FINDING THE ACHILLES HEEL

Page

White to move.
Any idea how to exploit the pin of the rook on f7?

66

White to move.
White is looking for an attack!

67

White to move.
How can White exploit his menacing pair of bishops?

68

White to move.
How can White exploit his menacing pair of bishops?

68

4
 Training Tests / CI 126

DOES TACTICS WORK?

Page

White to move.
How does White react to the pressure against f2?

71

Black to move.
How does Black continue with his attack?

73

Black to move.
Does a knight capture on b2 or f2 save the day?

117

White to move.
Can White finish the job?

106

5
 Training Tests / CI 126

USING THE STRONGEST PIECE THE RIGHT WAY

Page

White to move.
Where should the white queen move to?

120

White to move.
Calculate queen captures on d5 and f4.

126

White to move.
Should you look for mate or exchange queens?

127

Black to move.
Should you exchange on a3 or making another move?

134

6
 Training Tests / CI 126

COOL TACTICS
Page

Black to move.
Which king is more safe and what next from Black’s point of view?

169

Black to move.
How should Blacj take care of his knight?

173

Black to move.
Can Black survive and, if so, what should he do here?

143

White to move.
What is White’s main concern?

189

7
 Training Tests / CI 126

JUST DO IT
Page

White to move.
How can White make progress?

156

White to move.
What is White’s next step?

162

White to move.
Can White find a way to continue his attack?

139

White to move.
How can White take care of his pawn on d4?

137

8
 Training Tests / CI 126

BOTH SIDES ARE ATTACKING

Page

Black to move.
Does Black have counterchances?

164

White to move.
Is a rook move to a2 a good option?

179

Black to move.
Can Black stop the advancing passed pawn?

180

IVAN SOKOLOV
Black to move.
Can Black launch an attack?

180

9
 Training Tests / CI 126

MAKING A BIG DECISION

Page

White to move.
What is White’s next step?

56

White to move.
What is White’s next step?

49

White to move.
Should White take with the rook on a8 or b7?

74

White to move.
Is the advance of the white pawn to h3 a strong or a weak move?

161

10
 Training Tests / CI 126

MAJOR ENDGAME DECISIONS

Page

White to move.
Which king move should White play?
AND MIDDLEGAME DECISIONS

57

White to move.
Exchange rooks or not?

185

Black to move.
Should Black take on f5 or make another move?
E

186

Black to move.
Can Black win or is it just a draw?

186

11
 Training Tests / CI 126

ROOK OR PAWN MOVE?

Page

Black to move.
How can Black stop the white pawns?

79

White to move.
How can White make progress?

166

White to move.
What is White’s most important task?

113

White to move.
Can Black save the game?

114

12
 Training Tests / CI 126
I
DIFFICULT DECISIONS
Page

Black to move.
Can Black save the game?

58

White to move.
Should White advance his a-pawn or do something else?

171

Black to move.
Can Black achieve a draw?

191

White to move.
Should White give a check on c1 or take on d3?

148

13
 Training Tests / CI 126

FINESSE AND FINE POINTS IN THE ENDGAME (I)

Page

White to move.
King to e1 or knight to d4?

85

White to move.
King to d5 or pawn to b5?

86

White to move.
King to e3 or pawn to b5?
OP

86

White to move.
Any idea how to make progress from White’s point of view?

87

14
 Training Tests / CI 126

FINESSE AND FINE POINTS IN THE ENDGAME (II)

Page

Black to move.
King to b5 or another move?

88

White to move.
What is White’s main task?

88

Black to move.
King to f4 or a bishop move?

89

White to move.
To which square should the white king move?
OP

90

15
 Training Tests / CI 126

FINESSE AND FINE POINTS IN THE ENDGAME (III)

Page

Black to move.
Black needs good technique. What next?

91

White to move.
White needs good technique. What next?

91

Black to move.
Black needs good technique. What next?

92

White to move.
White needs good technique. What next?

92

16