80/20 Tactics – French Defense (Easy Tactics)

GM Mihail Marin

Question 1.

How to continue with White?

Question 2.

Can you find Black’s best

move?

1
Question 3.

Can you find Black’s best

move?

Question 4.

How to continue with White?

2
Question 5.

Can you find White’s best

move?

Question 6.

What should White play?

3
Question 7.

Can you find White’s best

move?

Question 8.

Can you find White’s best

move?

4
Question 9.

Can you find White’s best

move?

Question 10.

Can you find Black’s best

move?

5
 Solutions

1 White has the strong continuation 1.Bxc4! dxc4 2.Nxc4 with an attack
on the Black queen. White can follow up with Nd6+ and Nxf7+ with a
winning advantage.

2 Black wins a key central pawn with 1…Nxd4 2.Nxd4 Qh4+, winning
back the piece.

3 Black wins a piece with 1…Qa5+ and the bishop on b5 is lost.

4 White has the strong continuation 1.Bxh7+ Kxh7 2.Ng5+, followed by

Qxg4.

5 White wins after 1.Nxf7 Kxf7 2.Ne5+ Kf8 3.Ng6+ Ke8 4.Nxh8 +-.

6 White wins after 1.Bxf6 Bxf6 2.Qe4! with a double attack. White
threatens mate on h7 and the rook on a8 is undefended.

7 White wins a pawn with 1.Bxb7 Bxb7 2.Qb5+, followed by Qxb7.

8 White wins the Black queen after 1.Bg5! Bxf3 2.Qd2! +-.

9 White wins with the pawn move 1.c3! If the bishop retreats, White wins
the knight on a6 with Qa4+.

10 Black has the surprising winning move 1…Ne3! White is lost. 2.Bxe3 is
answered by 2…Qxc3+!