TACTICAL

Ch e ss
Lessons
 Contents

Introduction ... . . ......... . . . ... . . 4

•

Double Stroke .. . . 5
Discovered Check . 11
Discovered Attack. 12
Grinding... . 13
Pin...... . .................. 17
Luring ..... . ................. 21
Diversion ... . . . . . . ... . . . ... .... 24
Annihilation of the Defense . . .... . . . . .. . .. 27
Blocking. . . . . . ... .. . ..
. . . . 30
Blockading . . . .. ... . .....
. . 33
Clearing..... 36
Destruction .. . 42
Forcing the King Out. 45
Overload ......... . . .... 48
The Intermediate Move 51
Capturing the Square .. 53
The Advanced Pawn.. 55
Miraculous Escape .. 57
Solutions to Exercises . . . . . 60
 FOREWORD

by 1M Jack Peters,
Los Angeles Times chess colwnnist

Dq, you dream of creating a memorable game, filii III' thrilling

combinations? It can happen, but first you must learn the elellll!l1ts \,1' tactics.
You have already taken an important step by opening this book.
Eduard Gufeld built his reputation as a premier chess instllll:tlll in the
So\'iet Union, where he taught chess to tllOusands and coached SOIIlC of his
nation's best players. At tlle same time, he dazzled chess fans arOlU1d the
world with sparkling attacking victories over many legendary grandmasters.
To top it off, he wrote dozens of books wittily explaining eve!)' aspect of
chess. Now this triple threat lives in the United States, and \ve proudly claim
him as an l\merican resource.
Gufeld's method of instruction is deceptively simple: a sentence or hovo
describes a them'!, an example illustrates it in action, and a second position
challenges the reader to apply the fueme himself. You could skim through this
book, looking for effortless entertainment, and not be disappointed. But I
expect that you will be swept up by fue torrent of ideas, as I was. Soon you
will find yourself searching complicated positions for tactical nuances, and
discovering tricks that you might, formerly, have overlooked. And, when you
are through, you can join me ill saying, "Thank you, Grandmaster!"

Los Angeles
August 12, 1998
 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS 5

Lesson 1

Double Stroke
Your piece at the same time aims at two unprotected enemy
pieces, and that leads to achieving the material gain.
Chess players call the double attack by a knight or pawn a
"fork" .

1. ga4,.. \17e5 2.E!a5! c5! (If 2 . . . �xa5, then -:::c6+.) 3.E!xc5!! �xc5 4.d4+!
(Pawn fork) 4 .. �xd4 5.4Jc6+, or 4... �xd4 5.4Je6+. and in both cases
.

Whitl! wins due to the famous knight's "fork".

Exercise 1

J-VHITE TO PIA Y

Then' i� a hrilliallt move that leads to success. What is it?

6 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS

Lesson 2

Double Stroke
The reason the knight's "fork" is such a strong weapon is
because it helps in the achievement of effective combinations.

1.<£:Jxf7! Eixf7 2.Eixb7! �xb7 3. .£ld6, and Black resigned, because after 3 .
..

�a8 4.Eial �b8 5.�xd5 leaves White with a decisive material advantage.

Exercise 2

WHITE TO PLA Y

Play boldly!
 Lesson 3

Double Stroke
.\ most complicated situation is easily solved with the aid of
the Bishop's "double stroke".

I r:th2+! (1... llxg3 f 6 2... :gxh2 # 1 2.h)(g3�g4 also wins) 2.W"h2 Axg3+
...

Illere: II IS!) 3. �xg3 h"g3+ 4.Wxg3 fxg6 and Wllile resigned.

Exercise 3

BLACK TO PLA Y

How would you play?

 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS

Lesson 4

Double Stroke
A piece sacrifice that is followed by a pawn's "fork" can lead
the enemy astray.

1.�xe6! tyxe6 2.d5 (The pawn "forks" the Queen and Knight and Dlat:k's
2 ... �e8 3.dxc6 Axc6 4 .1lxc6 �"c6 5.cxd6
position goes to pieces) .

c"d6 6. ..\lxd6 §fdS 7. tJ'b3+ \t'h7 8 . .Ile5, and White has achicyed a
material and positional ad\"antage.

Exercise 4

If'HITE TO PIA Y

:\Iake lip your mind!

 Lesson 5

Double Stroke
A special kind of double attack is one that can be called the
" x-ray" str�ke.

1.c6+! �c7 (1... tixc6 2.:§c8+ and 3.1180) 2.�a81 �)(h7 3.�a7+ and While
",ins the Rook.

Exercise 5

WHITE TO PLA Y

What can you come up with here?

10 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS

Lesson 6

Double Stroke
White takes advantage of Black's insufficiently protected Rook
by means of an effective tactical stroke.

1..£lxg6+! hxg6 2.�h4..;. �g8 3.Etxe7 and wins.

Exercise 6

�VI-lITE TO PLA Y

Where is the Knight going to move?

 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS II

Lesson 7

Discovered Check
A n attacking or positional move which uncovers a piece
hidden behind it. At the same time this hidden piece launche-s
its own attack against the enemy king producing what is called
a "discovered check".

After 1 ... Axf5! 2.Axf5 Black suddenly played 2... f1xg3"'·! and after 3.fxg3
there followed 3 ...d3+! producing a discO\·ered check by all unnoticed bishop.
\Vhite then resigned because of the loss of his Queen.

Exercise 7

BLACK TO PLAY

Don't miss vour chance!

 12 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS

Lesson 8

Discovered Attack
When accomplished without a check this tactical device is
known as a "discovered attack" .

1.fIxeS! (Luring the Black queen to a dangerous square.) 1... �xe5 2.c£)g6!!,
and Black had to resign because 2 ... �xh2 3.�de7 is mate. or 2 . �xd5
. .

3.�e7+.

Exercise 8

BLACK TO PLA Y

How to play?
 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS I .'
�

Lesson 9

Grinding
In this position White has a wonderful opportunity to
"grind" the enemy army without mercy.

1.�xb8+!! (Annihilating the defense of the b7-square.) 1... �xb8, (And now
it starts.) 2.§.xb7+ \1ta8 3.§.xd7+ (A discovered check by the bishop.) 3 . ..
�b8 4.§.b7+ �a8 5.§.xe7+ �b8 6.f!b7+ �a8 7.f!xt/+ (How beautifully
it works with the Rook and Bishop cooperating together.) 7... �b8 8.§b7+
�a8 9.gxg7+ <itlb8 lO.§.xh7 Operation "grinding" is completed and Black
resigned.

Exercise 9

WHITE TO PLA Y

Now it's your turn to use " grinding"!

 14 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS

Lesson 10

Grinding
This position is from the game C. Torre - Em. Lasker,
Moscow 1925, after which the concept of "grinding" became
famous.

1.Af6!! �xh5 2.§xg7+ �h8 3.§xf7+ \tlg8 4.§g7+ \tlh8 5.§xb7+ �g8
6.§g7+ \!jIh8 7 .§g5+ Wh7 8.§xh5 Wg6 9.§h3 \tlf6 lO.§1I"h6+ and
.

Lasker resigned.

Exercise 10

WHITE TO PLA Y

Think up a nice beginning and your tandem will stari

working with the precision of a watch.
 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS !5

Lesson 1 1

Grinding
Do you now feel that you have mastered the technique of
"grinding" an opponent's position? Let's work it out tGgetner
once more.

1 . �fl!! 2.�xfl (2.f3 �xf3+) 2 ... §xg2+ 3.�h1 §xf2+ 4.Wgl §g2+
..

5.�hl §xc2+ 6.<itfg1 (And now let's capture the King!) 6 .. �f3+ 7.<itfhl
.

.£lg5+ 8.<itfg1 �h3 mate!

Exercise 11

BLACK TO PLAY

\Yith his last move 1 . .fta4-c2, White has created an

unpleasant threat. 'Vhat can you suggest as an answer?
 16 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS

Lesson 12

Grinding
Now you will see "grinding" as it was done by the first
Russian World Champion.

1.�xe4!! fxe4 2.Axe4+ �h8 3.�g6+ �h7 4.�f8++ �h8 5.�g6+

�h7 6 .£:\e5+ Wh8 7.�f7 mate'! (Alekhine-Fletcher, London 1928). This
.

time it ·was the Knight and Bishop who were posing as "grinders"!

Exercise 12

WHITE TO PLA Y

Your last task on "grinding" the enemy's army. Take a

chance!
 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS 17

Lesson 13

Pin
An enemy piece protects another more important one. You
attack it and it becomes partially or even totally par1lyzed.
This tactical trick of binding one piece to another is called a
"pin" and it's the most popular tactical device in chess.

The position seems to be equal, but after 1... �xg2+ 2:�xg2 §xe2 White's
Queen is in a deadly pin by Black's Bishop. Because cf this, the Rook can't be
caprured so White resigned.

Exercise 13

WHITE TO PLA Y

Try to create and use the "pin" .

18 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS

Lesson 14

Pin
The "pin" along the e-file is absolute while the "pin" down
the d-file is relative.

Let's use the first one: 1.lii'h5 Axc3? (Better was 1... �8! breaking two pins
with one m ove.) 2.§xe6+! \T1f8 3.§xd5 �c8 4.§xc6 (So that on 4 ... bxc6
5.s.d8+ \vins.) 4. .. g6 5.§xg6 and White wins.

Exercise 14

BLACK TO PLA Y

The way to victory is both brief and concise!

 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS (9

Lesson 15

Pin
Now we will create two powerful pins. A "diagonal pin" and a
" horizontal pin".

1... §xf3! §xf3 2.i:te2+ 3..£lf2 (If 3.�f2. then 3 .. ;J.xf3+.) :t

. .. .11,c5! The
diagonal and horizontal pins completely paralyze White's forces. The threat is
4 . �xf2 5.�xf2 .\lxf3+, to which there is no escape and thats why White
. .

resigned.

Exercise 1 5

WHITE TO PIA Y

Don't hurry! The task is not nn easy one.

20 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS

Lesson 16

Pin
Two "pins are more powerful than one!

The situation is critical. the Rook on g2 is pinned and if l.hxg3 then 1... �h7
and White's Queen is lost. But ... 1. t;1th3! (pinning the Black rook along both
the vertical and horizontal files!) 1... f!fg7 2.t;1tc8+ c;!7h7 3.fxg7 f!xg7
4.t\'h3! and Black resigned because after 4.. 1;;rxh3 5.Sxg7+ ;1:h8 6.3g8+
.

�h7 7.E.lg7+ �h6 8.£h8+ he is left a Rook down.

Exercise 16

1 ... {)d;?? - WHITE TO PLA Y

In this position Black boldly played 1 ... c£ld;. Can he be

punished for that?
 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS 21

Lesson 17

Luring
We hypnotize the enemy piece, coaxing it move to a

vulnerable square. Then we use the tactical tricks we've

already learned. The key to success in the operation of
"luring" is to find the critical first move.

1.Ag5!! (Luring the Black queen to a fatal square.) 1... �xg5 (Forced.)
2.f!d8+ Wxd8 (This second luring creates the possibility of a knight's "for;.;:")
3.<£lxf7+ and Black resigned because he wiillose his Queen.

Exercise 17

WHITE TO PLA Y

Try your own hand at being a "hypnotizer".

22 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS

Lesson 18

Luring
Black has just captured the a2-pawn creating the threat of
mate. But ... White has a winning answer!

1.�d8+!! (A bolt from om of the blue sky!) 1. �xd8 (The king is lured onto
..

the d-file so that it can be hit with a discovered double check.) 2 .lla5++!! (It's
.

mortal.) 2 . �c8 (or 2 tie8) 3.�d8 mate. A double check is a fearsome

.. . . .

weapon!

Exercise 18

BLACK TO PLA Y

Bolder!
 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS 23

Lesson 19

Luring
After the unexpected "luring move, the opponent gave up.
Why?

1.�h5+! ! and Black resigned. In case of 1... ';!i"h5 2.�f7+! 'i!tg4 3.�h6 or 3.f3
is mate. Also, if 1... �g7 2.�h7+ �8 3.Wxg6 and Black's suffering is too
unbearable. The first version is undoubtedly much more beautiful.

Exercise 19

WHITE TO PLA Y

Be bolder!
24 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS

Lesson 20

Diversion
The enemy's p�ece protects an important object (square, file
or piece). Our task is to force this piece to abandon it's guard
post and we don't care about the loses.

The only defender of the b3-pawn is the White Queen which is blocking our
mating attack. We divert it by sacrificing our Rook: 1... flaB! and \Vhite
resigned because after capturing the Rook (there is no other ,\ay) he is mated in
two moycs.

Exercise 20

WHITE TO PLA Y

What can be done?

 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS 25

Lesson 2 1

Diversion
The Black rook on c8 guards the 8 th rank. We're going to
d�vert it!

1.gxc6 ! gxc6 (Now everything is simple.) 2 .1lxf6! (Because of his

.

unprotected back rank Black's ans\\'er is forced.) 2 gxf6 E:-'''Posing the

...

position of the King, now White wins easily \\ith 3.Sa8+ �g7 4.�g3+ �h6
5J�g8.

Exercise 21

WHITE TO PLA Y

First study the position well!

26 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS

Les'son 22

Diversion
Here is a more complicated example.

1.d6! �f8 (On 1 .. .zJxc4 there would follow 2.§e7!) 2.§,e8!! (This move
.

forces ) 2... �xh6 (Di\"ersion) 3.§,xg8 mate; or 2. .. �xeB (Luring) 3.�f6!

. . .

and Black would be forced to resign.

Exercise 22

WHITE TO PLAY

How can you get the Black King?

 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS 27

Lesson 23

Annihilation Of The Defense

The Bishop, which is defending the critical g7-square, is the
)inch-pin that secures Black's position. Because of this,. we will
immediately annihilate it!

l.Elxf6! (This reminds one of an ax stroke, doesn't it?) and Black surrendered
because after 1... gxf6 2:�g7+ and 3.'t;i'xh8 he is lost.

Exercise 23

WHITE TO PLAY

Use your imagination!

28 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS

Lesson 24

Annihilation Of The Defense

A double annihilation of the defense, after which, we use the
"grind ing" method.

The g7-square is protected by two pieces so our first task is to annihilate both of
them. 1.§xe6! �xe6 2.�xf8!! §xf8 3.§xg7+ <t'h8 4.§xg6+ and Black
resigned.

Exercise 24

WHITE TO PLAY

Black d ecided to exchange Bishops and has just played

.Q.b7x g2. How would you answer?
 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS 29

Lesson 25

Annihilation Of The Defense

The invasion of the 7th rank is blocked by the Black Knight.
So we will get rid of it!

1.�xb6! t;j'xb6 2.§d7+ �gB (2 . �e8 is not good either because 3.E.e7+
. .

'\t'd8 4.Eidl + and it's mate the nex1 move.) 3.f7+ �hB 4.Jlg7+ (Luring) 4
...

\1;' xg7 5.fB/tfJ mate!

Exercise 25

WHITE TO PLAY

Annihilate the d efense of the most important square. Which

one?
30 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS

Lesson 26

Blocking
The idea is to force an enemy piece to block a square of vital
importance which is crucial for another more valuable piece
(usually a king). This is an interesting and beautiful tactical
trick.

The first impression is that eyer;.thing is O.K. with Black's position. A mate is
nowhere in sight and he has an extra piece! But . 1.§.d7! ! (Blocking the d7-
. .

square which will bc neceSS:lf\' as an escape route for the King.) 1... .ilxd7
(Forced because of the mate threat.) 2.�d6+ §.e7 3.�h6+ We8 4.§.g8
mate! Ho\\' did you like it? . �-.
,

EXt:rcise 26

WHITE TO PLAY

Act resolutely!
 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS 31

Lesson 27

Blocking
White seems to have no chance for survival, but actually
everything is in perfect order. Watch this!

l.h4+ <it'f5 g4+ (Blocking the g4-square.) 2... hxg4 3.§f4+!! (Blocking the
f4 escape square.) 3... A,xf4 (Now the White pawn gets revenge for his
comrades.) 4.e4 mate

Exercise 27

Jf'HITE TO PLAY

Do the impossible!
 .12 TACTICAL' CHESS LESSONS

Lesson 28

Blocking
Let the enemy piece trap his own King with no moves to
. ,
survIve ..

1.4Ja6 + �a8 2. .£)xc7+ �b8 (2... �xc7 is bad because 3.�d8+ \\'ill mate.)
3.4Ja6 + �a8 (Now we will force the enemy piece to trap his own King.)
4.!=!b7!! and Black is defenseless because after ').�b8+ §xb8 6. .iJc-:' is mate.
Quite a nice ending which should be studied carefully.

Exercise 28

BLACK TO PLA Y

To achieve success it is necessary to find a suitable square for

blocking. Look for it!
 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS

Lesson 29

Blockading
With an unexpected move, you blockade the d -file so that
the enemy's pieces can't perform their important function. The
coord ination between those pieces is broken and this leads to
your success.

After the tcrrific U�!d5!! Black resigned. He can win the Rook in four different
ways but they all lead to mate. 1... Elxd5 2.�f8 mate: 1... �xd5 2.�f6 mate:
1 ... ;i.,xd5 (or 1... exd5) 2.iitxd8 matc. The dS-square turned out to be the
critical one because it was the point where all the enemy's pieces intersected.

Exercise 29

WHITE TO PLAY

\Vhere is the c ritical square?

 34 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS

Lesson 30

Blockading
Anticipating victory, White carelessly played ...

1. .§f8+ �h7 2.Ae4+ (Believing that the enemy should resign. But the
"hook" into the "solar plexus'" followed with ... ) 2... �f5!! That included the
motifs of "pin". "blockading" and a knockout!

Exercise 30

WHITE TO PLAY

Don't hurry with your conclusions. The situation on the board

is not quite so simple!
 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS 35

Lesson 31

Blockading
Black is a Queen ahead plus he has the a8 and g8-squares
under control Here, we are looking for the point where the
enemy's pieces intersect and it's on that square that we'll
sacrifice our Knight.

1.4Jd5!! (This changes the situation immediately.) 1 .. �xd5 2.a8/lii'+!

.

lii'xa8 3.g8/� mate: 1.. ..Q.xd5 2.g8/�+! .llxg8 3.a8/� mate. That's why
.

Black resigned. Blockading is a very powerful tactic.

Exercise 3 1

BLACK T O PLAY

Can Black ""'in?

36 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS

Lesson 32

Clearing The Square

Your piece or pawn is occupying a square which is extremel:
important for your other piece. What is to be done in this case:

The c6-square needs to be cleared for the Knight. With this in mind w(
sacrifice the Rook: 1.'§xg6! After 1... hxg6 there fo11o\,"s 2.4)c6+ am
3.4)xe7. This position is unfa\'orable for Black. but if 1... £xe5 (It wa:
necessary to take this into consideration before we started the combination.
ihen 2.fxe5 hxg6 5.e6 and the e-pawn can't be stopped from queening.

Exercise 32

WHITE TO PUI'

Score a knock out!

 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS 31

Lesson 33

Clearing The Square

The White Bishop should be on the long diagonal, that means
it needs the c3-square. Here we go!

1.l£ld5! exd5 2.§h3 �g7 3.Ac3 and Black resigned.

Exercise 33

WHITE TO PLA Y

Where is the critical square for the Bishop?

38 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS

Lesson 34

Clearing The Square

Quite a curious situation, but everything will be clear in three
moves.

1... �f2+!! (Diversion) 2. �xf2 gh5+!! (Clearing the square.) 3.Jlxh5 g5

mate!

Exercise 34

BLACK TO PLA Y

How would you capture His Majesty?

 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS 39

Lesson 35

Clearing The File

Our long range piece is ready to strike the decisive blow, but
our other piece is blocking it's way. What should we do?

By sacrificing the Bishop we clear the e-file for the Queen: 1.Ac4+! �xc4
now follows 2.�e8+ (Diversion) 2... .£jxe8 and 3..l3.f8 mate. Simple and
,"ery con,"incing'

Exercise 35

WHITE TO PLAY

Act decisively and be cunning!

40 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS

Lesson 36

Clearing The Diagonal

The key to a victorious assault is opening up the al-h8
d iagonal!

1.e6! Axe6 2.E!xg6+ <iftf8 3:�h6+ 'it'e8 4.E!gB+ E!fB 5.E!xfB+ Axf8
6.�xe6+ �e7 7. .Q.h5+ .§c6 8.,Axa4 �h6 9. .£le5 Black resigns. An
impressiYe display of attacking chess_

Exercise 36

WHITE TO PLA Y

Eve rything d epends on your resourcefulness!

 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS .+1

Lesson 37

Clearing The File

To clear the h-file we begin with a sacrificial "unloading
fl.
opera tion

1... An! 2.gg2! (The most persistent.) 2 .. Axg2+ 3.Wxg2 .£jg3! 4.fxg3
.

�xh2+ 5.�fl fxg3 6.Axh6 g2+ White resigns

Exercise 37

WHITE TO PLAY

Let your imagination help you!

42 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS

Lesson 38

Destruction
Without paying any attention to loses, we d estroy the enemy
King's pawn cover. Of course, for such d ecisive action there
has to exist the necessary pre-conditions.

fhe moment is fa\·orablc. \\'hite's pieces are "pointed" at Black's kingside and
tis King docsn't havc enough bodyguards. So, 1. .\l.xh7+ �xh7 2:�h5+
�g8 3 .Q.xg7! �xg7 4. �g4+ \fth7 5. .§f3 (Before even starting the
.

:ombination we had already seen the 5 . . .d..xc5+ 6,�hl possibility.) Black

. .

'esigned hac bec;!us,� he either loses material or gets mated.

Exercise 38

BLACK TO PLA Y

Start at it!
 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS

Lesson 39

Destruction
Here, the Rooks will be at their glorious best!

1.E!xt/!! b5 (If 1... l!;xf7 2.�xh7 with the deadly threat of 3.�f1+) 2.E!bfl!
bxc4?! (2 ... g6 puts up stiffer resistence. but White would still win.) 3.E!xg7+!
<ittxg7 4.E!t/+ �xt/ 5.lttxh7 mate!

Exercise 39

WHITE TO PLAY

Don't loose any time!

44 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS

Lesson 40

Destruction
Before we can destroy Black's castled position, we must �
some reinforcements available (Rooks) in case of.emergenci.

1 .£\xg7!! <it'xg7 2.�h5 (The threat is 3.Jlh6+) 2. Af8 3.Etel! 0

• •.

comes one of them.) 3 <itJg8 4.Ete3 Ete7 5.Etg3+ A.g7 (Now Black only
...

to play f7-f6 and he will be safe.) 6.Etxg7+!! <itJxg7 7.Ah6+ <itJh8 8.f
(We need some morc!) 8 .. .£lf6 9.Ag7+!! (The third bomb to be droppe
.

the g7-squarc!) 9 . <i1ixg7 10 �g5+ �h8 1l.'lE'txf6+ <i1ig8 12.§d3 E

. . ..

resigns. A glorious attack!

Exercise 40

H'7flTE TO PLAY

Don't miss your chance!

 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS 45

Lesson 41

Forcing The King Out

Although we suffer a lot of loses, we force the enemy's King to
leave it's asylum and move to a dangerously exposed position.

"\"e:-,ously. we had calculated out the results of sacrificing the Queen and then
1."�xh�+ \!lxh7 2. .£lxf6++ Wh6 (2 . .. �h8 3.1£lg6 is mate. ) 3..£leg4 .... <!Ig5
4.h4- Wf4 5.g3+ � f3 6.J1.e2+ �g2 7.§h2+ �gl 8.0-0-0 mate!

Exercise 41

BLACK TO PLAY

Show no pity for the White King!

46 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS

Lesson 42

Forci1lg The Ki1lg Out

A Queen sacrifice forces the King to enter a world of dangers
from which there is no escape.

1.'§xc6! .1l.xc6 2. �c4+ �b7 3. �xc6+!! (Fantastic! It's White who will be
doing the mating.) 3... �xc6 4..£Je5++ (Discovered double check.) 4 .. �c5
.

5.�d3+ Wd4 6.Wd2!! A quiet move after which there is no escape from 7.c3
mate!

Exercise 42

BLACK TO PLA Y

You'll perish because of my Knight!

 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS .+7

Lesson 43

Forcing The King Out

The critical point has a rrived and it is now that Black begins
the operation of "forcing out".. Naturally, this requires precise
calculation.

1... tyxf2+!! 2.�xf2 .£Ig4+ 3.�f3 e4+ (Clearing the e5-square.) 4.�xe4
(4.dxe4 �e5 mate!) 4 ... .£If6+ 5.�f3 .£)e5+ 6.\!}f2 (The King returns home.
but . ) 6 . . .£Ifg4+ 7.\!}gl Ae3 mate!
. . .

Exercise 43

WHITE TO PLA Y

Help the Black King go on an "Around The World Trip" �

48 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS

Lesson 44

Overload
Quite often, it happens that a piece which is performing a few
defensive functions simultaneously is overloaded with
assignments. Noticing it. and with the help of a tactical stroke,
we take advantage of the situation.

The White Queen defends both the Knight and the a2-pawn at the same time.
Taking this into consideration we play: 1 §xa2! Now 2.'�xa2 is losing
...

because of 2 . �a8+ 3.�bl �al mate: and 2.'�xa2 is bad because of 2...
. .

�xe4+ followed by 3 �xhl. That's why White resigned.

. . .

Exercise 44

BLA CK TO PLA Y

Find the continuation that forces White's immediate

resignation!
 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS -\.9

Lesson 45

Overload
The White Queen is obviously overloaded because it is
d efending both the 1st rank and the b2-pawn at the samt time.
That is why ...

1...'t)'xb2! i'ow if 2.�dl there follows the deadly blow 2 . .. �xd4+! therefore
Wr-l:e resigned.

Exercise 45

WHITE TO PLA Y

Find which Black piece is overloaded and then make use of it!
50 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS

Lesson 46

Overload
After a rather strange exchange of Queens, one of the enemy's
pieces becomes overloaded.

1. tyxd6 exd6 (This causes Black's Rook on d8 to become overloaded and now
comes the shot ... ) 2 . .§xd7 and Black has to resign.

Exercise 46

WHITE TO PLA Y

Find an effective first move!

 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS 51

Lesson 47

The Intermediate 1110ve

During the struggle on the board there often arises a situation
when it is possible to use the so caned "intermediate moye". As
a rule, this trick usuaHy takes an opponent by surprise.

By making his last move, �e7-e 4 ??, Black had hoped to exchange Queens. But
he had not foreseen everything: 1..£)h5! and after 1... �xd3 \v'hite has the
"intermediate check" 2 .£lxf6+ and only then 3.cxd3 therefore Black resigned.
.

Exercise 4i

WHITE TO PIAY

BJark has just played Ad5-b3. How would you answer this?
52 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS

Lesson 48

The Intermediate Move

Usually, an intermediate move is made in conjunction with a
check and is therefore rather easy to notice. It is however,
much more difficult to see an intermediate move when no
check is involved.

Instead of l.§xhlWhite surprised his opponent \,ith 1.gxf6!! and after 1.. .
Etxdl+ 2.'£!xdl! �xd2 there followed an even more crushing intermediate
move 3.fxg7!! (With threats of 4.g8/� mate and 4.!l.xd2.) 3 . .. .1le6 4.g8/�+
�d7 5.�xc8+! �xc8 6 . .1lxd2 Black resigns

Exercise 48

WHITE TO PIA Y

Black is counting on l .axh3 Axe6 with acceptable play.

 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS 53

Lesson 49

Capturing The Square

How are we going to get at the Black King? We notice an
important key-square in the enemy's camp and illDlediately
capture it!

1. t;Yb6!! This immediately decides the result of the stmggle bec211Se 1... axb6
2.axb6+ .aa7 3.:9.xa7+ 'iftb8 4 . .§fxb7+ �c8 5. .aa6 leads to mate md after 1.
..

Etd7 2.Ac5! Etxf7 3.Axf6 Black resigned.

Exercise 49

WHITE TO PLA Y

Where is the key-square?

 54 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS

Lesson 50

Capturing The Square

It seems that Black's defense is strong, but the resul of the
struggle is decided by \Vhite's pawn -capturing the e6-S9Iare.

1.g2d7!! 'li}'xe6? (Also. 1... 'Zlxd7? 2.�xf7 � xd8 3.ife8 is bad. Bt£. 1... �g8
may hold out after 2.B.xf8 d�.xf8 3 .S d8 �g7) 2.fxe6 .£lxd7 3.e7! � 4.E{f8!
Black resigns.

Exercise 50

BLACK TO PLAY '

This victory is achieved smartly!

 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS 55

Lesson 51

The Advanced Pawn

Far advanced pawns are a strong factor in the achievement of
success in a chess struggle. With the help of some tactical tricks
we already know we can at last achieve the conversion of the
pawn into the piece we desire .

.AJtcr a previous "heavy bombing" the fate of the battle is decided by the modest
d6-pawn! 1.f1xb2! (Diversion) 1 . �xb2 2:�'>(c8+!! (Annihilation of the
. .

defense of the 8th rank.) 2 �xc8 3. d7 Black resigns.

...

Exercise 51

WHITE TO PLA Y

Before beginning the combination, be sure of its result!

56 TACTICAL (HESS LESSONS

Lesson 52

The Advanced Pawn

An advanced pawn must be well secured if it is a "promoting
pawn".

1.�xh7! �xh7 2.gxh7 t¥a5+ 3.c3! (Not 3.Ad2? because of 3 ... 2,xf2+
4.�xf2 �f5+ and the h7-pawn is lost.) 3... Axf2+! 4.'i!id2! Ae3+ 5.'i!ic2!
Black resigns. After 5... \iff5+ there would follow 16.Ad3 and the pawn will
queen!

Exercise 52

WHITE TO PLAY

.
Think well! -.
 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS 57

Lesson 53

. Miraculous Escape
You are sinking but don't lose hope, for all of a sudden you
see a dolphin. It is approaching fast and in a moment you are
saved! In a chess struggle such a "miraculous" d olphin might
be a stalemate.

Hoping for the best White played 1. �a8! and Black, belie\"i ng he had an easy
win no matter what. carelessly answered '.\ith 1... ,§xg3 2.gxg3 '?t!xg3? and
now the miraculous follmvs: 3.h6+ �xh6 4.�f8+ �g5 5.\EYc5+ r.;1,tf6
6. �f5+!! <{tIxf5 stalemate!

Exercise 53

WHITE TO PLAY

Look for a miracle!

58 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS

Lesson 54

A-liraculous Escape
The first step is to get rid of the Rook.

1.�f8+! Wa7 (Black refuses the offer.) 2.�a3+!! �xa3 (Forced) 3. .§a
Wxa8 stalemate.

Exercise 54

WHITE TO PLA Y

Don't forget to close the door behind you!

 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS 59

Lesson 55

Miraculous Escape
To achieve a draw it is necessary not only to get rid of the
heavy pieces, but also to paralyze the g5-pawn.

So 1 .. �d1+ 2.�h2 �gl+ 3.�g3 �d3+!! 4:�xd3 �e3+!! 5.�xe3

.

stalemate.

Exercise 55

WHITE TO PLAY

Think hard, it's your last task!

60 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS

Solutions To Exercises

Exercise 1
1 .�h8+! � x h8 2 . .£lxf7+ +-

Exercise 2
1 . � xc6! E! xd6 2.� xd6 �xd6 3.4Jf7+ +-

Exercise 3
1 . . . .£le3!

Exercise 4
1 . E! x f7! E! xf7 2 .e6

Exercise 5
1 .E!a4! E! x a4 2 . E! h3+ �d4 3.13h4+ +-

Exercise 6
1 . .£ld7! 4Jh5 2.4Jf6+! t£)xf6 3.Axf6 g6 4.�g5 +-

Exercise 7
1 . . . �d3 +!! 2 . W x d3 Axc6+ -+

Exercise 8
1 ... Ag1!! -+

Exercise 9
1 . E! xg7+ 4Jxg7 2 .. Wh8 3.E! xf7+ Wg8 4.f!g7+ �h8
5 . E! x e7+ Wg � \�h8 7.E! xd7+ Wg8 8. §gi+ Wh8
9. E! x c7+ WQ <.- J7+ Wh8 1 1 .E! xb7+ Wg8 12. E!xai +-

F:-.:prr-i:_1o
dc7!! � xh5 2 . E!e7+ Wf8 3.E!xb7+ We8 4.E!e7+ Wf8
5 . E! x h7+ We8 6 . E! xh5 +-

Exercise 11
1 . . . � x h5!! 2 . .£l x h5 E!xg2+ 3.<Jth1 §xf2+ 4.Wg1 E!g2+
5.Wh1 E!.xc2+ -+

Exercise 12
1:� x h5+ ! ! .£lxh5 2.E!xh5 + Wg8 3.�h7+ Wh8 4.Axe4+
Wg8 5 .Ah7+ Wh8 6.Jl.xc2+ Wg8 7.Ah7+ - Wh8 8.Ab1 +
Wg89.A xa2 +-

Exercise 13
1 . E! xc6 §xc6 2 . A xf6 Axf6 3.d5 +-

Exercise 14
1 ... E!c2+ 2. §d2 �dl ! ! -+
 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS

Exercise 1 5
1 . §xc5! § xc5 2 . §c2 §fc8 3 . l'i1'h5 ! ! § x hS 4.§xc8+ <!tf7
5 . A x a7 +-

Exercise 1 6
1 . . . .£J x d5?? 2 .c x d5 ..Q, xc3 ( 2 . . . cxd5 3 .'�xd5 �xd5 4.4Jxd5
Axb2 5 . §abl M6 6.4Jc7 +-) 3.l'i1'd2!! +-

Exercise 1 7
1 .Af5 ! ! l'i1' x f5 ( 1 . . . 4Jxf5 2 Ajf6+ wf8 3 . �e8 mate) 2 . .£Jd6+ +-

Exercise 1 8
1 . . . l'i1'd1 +!! 2 . � xd l .£Je3+ 3.Wel §dl mate

Exercise 1 9
1 . §e8+ Af8 ( 1 . . . 'it'h7 2 .'&d3+ +-) 2.§ xf8+ �xf8 3.4Jf5+
�g8 4.l'i1'f8+! ! W xfS 5 . :8 dS mate

Exercise 20
1 .l'i1'g4+! �xg4 2 . § x eS· �g7 3.fxg4 +-

Exercise 2 1
l . AfS+ ! ! § xf8 2 . §d3 +-

Exercise 22
1 . .1lf3 + ! ! § x f3 2.l'i1'e4+ l'i1' x e4 3.§cS mate

Exercise 23
l . § x eS § x eS 2 .Ae4+ �xe4 3.fJf7+ +-

Exercise 24
1 : � x e5 + ! ! d x e5 0 . . . f6 2 .Axf6+ wf7 3.4J h6+ �e8 4.�xe7+
1tJxe7 5 . .§ xe7 mate ) 2.Af6+ �gS 3 . � h6 mate

Exercise 2 �
1 .§ x e5 ! ! fxe5 2.l'i1' x h7+1 W x h7 3 . 4)g6 (with the idea 4. f;h3;
5 . § h8 mate)

Exercise 26
1 . �gS+ 13 xgS (1 . .. �xg8 2.�xd4+ +-) 2.,()xd4+! ! �xd4
3 . .£Jf7 mate

Exercise 2 7
1 :�g4+ ! ! Axg4 2.§ x h6+!! gxh6 3.Ati mate
 62 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS

Exercise 2 8
1 ... §el +! 2 .�e2 (2 .�g2 4::If4 + +-) I£)f4+! ! 3.gxf4 J3g2+
4.<it'e3 J3el mate

Exercise 29
1 . J3c6!! +-

Exercise 3 0
1 .'�e6!! .Q. x e6 ( 1 . . . 6xe6 2 .�hg6 + �g8 3.§h8 mate) 2.{)f5+
�g8 3 . {) e7 mate

Exercise 3 1
1 . . . .Q.d6!! 2 . J3 x d 6 h2 -+

Exercise 32
1 . J3e8+!! � x e8 ( 1 . . . �xe8 2 .�g7 mate) 2 :itJe7 mate

Exercise 3 3
1 . 4Jc6!! {) xe6 2 . �h7+!! tcl xh7 3.Jle5+ Wh6 4.�g7 mate

Exercise 3 4
1 . . . J3 x h4+! 2.g xh4 �f4+ 3.�h3 Ag2+! 4.{) xg2 �g4+
5.�h2 � xg2 m at e

Exercise 3 5
1 .Ek5!! tj' xe5 2 . § xh7+ .£l xh7 3.�g7 mate

Exercise 3 6
1 ..Q.h5! ! ax bS 2 . § xh7 W xh7 3.�hS mate

Exercise 3 7
1 . �f6+!! 'ZJ xf6 ( 1 . . . wf8 2 . §h8 mate) 2 . .Q.e5+!! A x eS 3.gxf6+
C3.exf6+ ) �f8 4. §h8 mate

Exercise 3 8
1 . . . .Q. x h2+! 2 .�xh2 4jg4+ 3.Wg1 C3.�g3 �d6+ 4.f4 exf3+
5 .Wxf3 §e3 mate) �h4 4.§e1 (4.-Df3 exf3 5 .M4 fxg2 6.�xg2
l£Je5! -+) � xf2+ 5.\t>h1 �h4+ 6.�gl �h2+ 7.Wf1 �hl +
8.We2 � xg2 mate

Exercise 3 9
1 . § xf7+!! § x f7 2.Axg6+ Wxg6 3 . �d3+ +-

Exercise 4 0
1 . § x e6+ fx e6 2.� xh7!! § x h7 ( 2 . . . M6 3 . I�h h8 + ) 3.Axg6
mate
 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS

Exercise 4 1
1 ... � x h2+11 2.'it' x h2 �h5 + 3.'it'g3 Ah4+ 4.Wxf4 (4.�h2
.,Q"xf2+ -+) �f5 mate

Exercise 42
1 . . . �xf3!! 2 . ..Q.xf3 � xf3 3.W xf3 <iJ xd4+ 4.\t>g4 ..Q.c8+
5 .'it'h4 4Jf3 mate

Exercise 43
1 . � xc6l! 'it'xc6 2:�xb5+!! Wxb5 3.Aa4+! W x a4 (3 . . . �c4
4.b3+ �d3 5 . .,Q"b5 + c;tte 4 6 . § g4 + wf5 7.0e3 mate; or 6 . . . .§f4
7 . .§xf4 mate) 4.<iJc3+ Wb3 5 . 4) d2 mate

Exercise 44
1 ... �f7!! -+

Exercise 45
1 .�xd6!! +-

Exercise 46
1 .�b411 �xb4 0 . . �c7 2 . b xb7 +-) 2 :i�1d8 m a te
.

Exercise 47
1 .e7+! 'it'xe7 2.4Jc6+ +-

Exercise 48
1 .4Jd5 ! ! +-

Exercise 49
1 .4J e5 ! +-

Exercise 50
1 ... ..Q.e3!! 2 . ..Q.xe3 4J f211 3.A xf2 tl'd2 + 4.\t>bl �d1 +
5 .�a2 tl'xc2 mate

Exercise 5 1
1 .� x h6+! gxh6 2.g7+ 'it'h7 3 .g xf8 = 4) + Wh8 4. �g8 m ate

Exercise 5 2
1 .tl' xf7+!! � xf7 (1 . . . c;tth 8 2 . .§ xe8 b x e8 3:�xe8+ 4J x e8 4.d7 +-)
2 . � x e8+ {) xe8 3.d7! +-

Exercise 5 3
1 .tl'e5+! Wh7 2.tl'h8+!! � x h8 3.e8 = tl'+ 'it'h7 (3 . . . rtJg7
4.�f8+ �h7 5.�h8+ �xh8 draw) 4.tl'h8+! W x h8 draw

Exercise 54
1 . �h6!! � xh6 2.h8 = tl'+ � x h8 3 .b;!! d raw
 TACTICAL CHESS LESSONS

Exercise 5 5
1 .tH8+ Wf6 2.ti'h8+ Wf5 3.g4+1! h xg4 4.E!d5+!! exd5
5 . �c8+ !! ti' xc8 d raw