Content

Title page
Notation and Symbols
Introduction

Chapter 1 - The Main Tactical Themes

Tactical weakness
Double Attack or Multiple Attack
Double attack with the knight
Check and Discovered Attack
The Pin
The Skewer or ‘X-ray’
Removing the guard
Opening Lines
Deflection
Attraction
Obstruction
Intermediate move
Zugzwang
Back Rank Weakness
Overloading
Chapter 2 - Basic level puzzles
Playing for mate
Double attack puzzles
Puzzles based on pinning or unpinning
Puzzles involving win of material
Puzzles on the theme of overloading
Puzzles on the theme of attraction and deflection
Puzzles involving an attack on the king
Puzzles involving defence

2
 Puzzles based on removing the guard
Puzzles combining attack and defence
Endgame puzzles
Puzzles based on a tactical weakness
Chapter 3 - Intermediate level puzzles
Find the checkmate
Puzzles involving a pin
Puzzles based on attraction or deflection
Puzzles based on overloading an enemy piece
Puzzles based on attack
Puzzles based on defence
Puzzles based on attack and defence
Endgame puzzles
Puzzles based on exploiting a tactical weakness
Chapter 4 - 29 challenges

Maximum score: 166 points

The author

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 Your Second Chess Book

Basic and Intermediate Level

Zenón Franco

Copyright © Zenón Franco 2022

Your Second Chess Book
Basic and Intermediate Level
E- mail: [email protected]
www.zenonchessediciones.com
Layout: Duarny Meneses Hernández
Cover Design: Duarny Meneses Hernández
Translated by Phil & Anthea Adams
Copyright © Zenonchess Ediciones
ISBN - 978-84-09-40933-4

4
 Notation and Symbols

Chessboard

Conventional signs used

+ Check
++ Checkmate
x Capture
! Good move
!! Very good play
!? Interesting move
?! Doubtful move
? Bad move
?? Very bad play

5
 Introduction

I am pleased to present my first book of chess puzzles in English published by Zenonchess

Ediciones. It’s intended for novice players who can already see simple mates and direct captures, but
now wish to move up a level.
To make progress in chess it’s essential both to play and to train. Solving puzzles is one of the most
pleasant training exercises there are; no chess player can resist trying to solve them.
At the start, the best way of moving up a level is with tactical exercises. The first step for those who
have just learnt how to play is to solve simple puzzles, such as finding a mate in one, a knight fork, a
pin, etc.
However, the next step can be difficult, as most of the exercises may prove to be rather
complicated.
This first book of puzzles is aimed at those novices, starting with simple puzzles and finishing with
more demanding ones. It’s more than likely that in a short time, after solving or trying to solve the
puzzles in the first section, those same novices will be able to tackle the puzzles in the second and
third sections.
Some time ago, also using TWIC and the Mega database, I wrote a “giant” of a book, called The
Giant Chess Puzzle Book, with 1,001 puzzles, for the British publishers Gambit, which was also
published in Argentina by Ventajedrez.
That book was for players of all levels, from beginners to strong masters; this one is different, it is
my first book tailored specifically for the needs of novice chess players.

The book is made up of four parts:

Chapter 1 presents the most important tactical motifs.
Chapter 2 contains 140 puzzles, simple but not elementary, with introductions that can help you to
find the solution and/or explanations which can help you to progress.
Chapter 3 is made up of 106 puzzles of a rather more demanding standard.
In both these two chapters the wording of the puzzles gives a clue and if this isn’t enough, a small
hint is provided to help you. In every case the aim is that the explanations will make it easier for you
to understand what happened and to assimilate the tactical patterns.
Chapter 4 contains 29 puzzles at a more advanced level than the previous ones, without any clues;
these are real challenges, similar to those met in a game, and you can score points for correct answers.

You will notice that there is one concept which is often repeated, that of the “tactical weaknesses”. I
hope that this book will help you to develop a sort of radar to detect these and that you will benefit

6
from this, wherever it’s relevant to the position.
It will give the author great satisfaction if, by training with this book, you are encouraged to carry
on learning and to play better.

Writing my first book for novices has been very enjoyable, just as much as writing my previous
books.

GM Zenón Franco Ocampos

Ponteareas, July 2022

Dedicated to the “Capital de mis amores”

7
 Chapter 1
The Main Tactical Themes

The learning process for chess is not a rapid matter. When we begin to play and to see games by the
masters, their combinations seem to us almost like something magical; everything is unexpected,
based on reasons we can’t understand, without any obvious cause, and yet, in the games of the
masters, it all works.
As we make progress, we see that that’s not the case, that there are more mundane reasons why a
combination works. Together with our increasing knowledge of other areas of the game, we gradually
learn to recognise the characteristics of a position ripe for a combination.
Nevertheless, and this is one of the charms of our game, the fascination caused by a beautiful
combination remains the same throughout our lives.
In this first chapter we shall go over the main tactical themes, which can serve as a useful basic
guide, because most tactical motifs, in one form or another, are repeated over and over.
Furthermore, we should not forget that often they don’t occur in isolation but in combination with
each other.
(To simplify the explanations, at times we shall also refer to files and diagonals as lines).

Tactical weakness
A fundamental concept that we must learn to recognise is that of tactical weakness, as this is the
basis of most combinations.
Tactical weakness is what we can call any piece or placement of pieces which makes a combination
possible. You could say that it is a prerequisite for tactical motifs to work.
One obvious example is an unprotected piece; also included in this category is having the queen or
king within range of a knight ‘fork’ (i.e. a double attack) or on the same line, having a weak back
rank, having the king inadequately defended, etc.
A tactical weakness doesn’t always lose the game, or cause irreparable damage, but it’s a positional
defect that always deserves to be taken into account.
Other preconditions for a combination to work are positive elements in the position itself, such as
having very active pieces, numerical superiority in one sector of the board, a pawn close to queening,
etc.

Double Attack or Multiple Attack

When a piece attacks two enemy pieces simultaneously it’s a double attack, and when it threatens
more than two pieces it’s a multiple attack.
As well as attacking an enemy piece, it’s also possible to threaten mate, which is an attack of equal
or greater force.

8
 Let’s look at a spectacular example.
Robert Fischer
Raymond Weinstein
New York 1960.

White to move

In this untypical position, with weaknesses on both sides, there is one element that is more
important than all the rest, and that’s the weakness of the black king.
In this connection, the b-file, occupied by the white rooks, with the support of the bishop on g3, is
the most relevant factor.
It’s true that at present the b8-square is protected by the rook on h8 and the knight on c6, but it
would only need one of these defenders to disappear for Black’s position to collapse.

33.Qxh6!

A spectacular blow by the legendary Bobby Fischer, the eleventh World Champion, and one which
ends the game. In addition to 34.Qxh8+, followed by checkmate, Fischer threatens 34.Qxe6.
The key to the combination is that if 33...Rxh6 then 34.Rb8+ Nxb8 35.Rxb8++, while if the rook
moves away with 33...Re8, apparently defending the bishop on e6, the protection proves illusory
when White plays 34.Qxe6 anyway, since 34...Rxe6 allows the same mate on b8.

1–0

9
 Often there is more than one tactical theme involved; this example would also be useful for
illustrating the theme of the overloaded piece: the rook on h8 has to defend the back rank as well as
the pawn on h6, two tasks which it cannot fulfil adequately.

Double attack with the knight

In double attacks a special chapter is occupied by the knight ‘fork’, which arises very frequently.
Let’s look at a beautiful example.
Tigran Petrosian
Boris Spassky
World Championship, Moscow (10), 1966

White to move

White can regain the exchange with 30.Nxf7 and play an endgame with an extra pawn, but he has
something much more effective.
The key is to ‘manufacture’ a winning knight fork.

30.Qh8+!!

Black resigned, in view of 30...Kxh8 31.Nxf7+ and Nxg5, with an extra piece.
This was the finish of a game which is considered the best of the first match for the world title
between these two world champions.
In this match, their first, in 1966, Petrosian retained his title, but in their 1969 match the winner was
Spassky.

10
 1–0

Check and Discovered Attack

A discovered check occurs when a piece moves off a line, revealing an attack on the enemy king
by another piece which stood behind it.
It’s also possible to make the same move to attack an enemy piece other than the king, in which
case it is a discovered attack.
Let’s look at an example of discovered check:
Robert Fischer
Tigran Petrosian
Bled 1961

White to move

White is a pawn down, but can execute a discovered check by moving his rook from b7; however,
at the moment there is no black piece in reach of the rook. If White plays the immediate 36.Rxf7+
then after 36...Kxc5 White hasn’t achieved very much.
With 36.Kxb4 White could defend the c5-pawn and threaten mate with 37.Re7+, among other
things, but Black has an adequate defence in 36...Nd5+ 37.Kc4 Ne3+ 38.Kd3 Rxg3.
This last line takes us closer to working out the winning move.

36.Kc4!

11
 And now there’s no good defence against the threatened double check and mate.

1–0

This example could also be included under the theme of intermediate move.

The Pin
Attention should be paid to ‘pinned’ pieces. As a rule, a pin occurs when a piece attacks an enemy
piece along a particular line. If the attacked piece moves away, then a piece of greater value is lost
further down the line.
The most serious pins occur when the king or queen are involved, because the pinned piece loses all
its mobility if the king is behind it and almost all when the queen is there.
Vladimir Kramnik
Viswanathan Anand
World Championship, Bonn (5), 2008

Black to move

During the live transmission of this game it was noticeable that White made his last few moves
confidently, clearly trusting in his passed pawns, which seem unstoppable.
However, when Anand seemed about to make his next move and moved his hand towards the
knight, he paused to reflect for a few seconds and Kramnik’s expression at that moment showed that
only then had he become aware of the true situation.
Black wins, thanks to a combination based on the theme of the pin, helped by the fact that the white

12
rook is unable to return to the aid of the defence.

34...Ne3!

Attacking the pinned bishop.

35.fxe3 fxe3

Now the threat is to exploit the pin with 36...e2.

In the event of 36.Rc7, offering the rook in order release the pin, after 36...Rxc7 37.g3 Black would
play 37...Rc1! (renewing the threat of 38...e2) 38.Kg2 Rc2+!, winning the bishop after 39.Kh3 e2 or
39.Kf3 Rf2+.

0–1

Five times World Champion Anand retained his title in this match against the former World
Champion Kramnik.

The Skewer or ‘X-ray’

The skewer or ‘X-ray’ theme is similar to the pin. It occurs when an enemy piece is attacked along
a line, but if it retreats, a piece standing behind the one attacked is lost, or some greater harm is
suffered.
Nigel Short
Rafael Vaganian
World Cup Barcelona 1989

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 White to move

It wouldn’t be easy to convert the extra pawn in an ending.

The best British chess player of all time found a good way to use the skewer, exploiting the tactical
weaknesses in Black´s position.

51.Be5+!

White wins with one skewer after another!

51...Kxe5 loses to 52.Qc3+ followed by Qxg7.

1–0

Let´s see another example.

Robert Fischer
Gyozo Forintos
Monte Carlo 1967

White to move

White is a pawn up, but instead of a long technical task to try to convert it, he can decide the game
immediately thanks to the skewer theme.

47.Rd3!

14
 Threatening the bishop, which Black can’t protect; but the bishop can’t retreat either, because of
48.Rd8++.

1–0

Removing the guard

When an enemy piece under attack is defended by only one other piece, if the defending piece is
moved or nullified in some way, then the first piece is left defenceless.
Let’s look at an example:
Emanuel Lasker
Dawid Janowski
Hastings 1895

White to move

In this position the rook on f8 has more than one function; one is to prevent Bxf5, so that if it were
possible to make the rook move away from f8, White would gain material.

35.Rxc8!

The second World Chess Champion, Emanuel Lasker, succeeds in forcing the f8-rook to move by
means of an exchange sacrifice, exploiting the overload on the black rook.

35...Rxc8 36.Bxf5

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 White has achieved a decisive material advantage. Not only is it possible to capture the knight on
g4, which would in itself be sufficient to win, but in addition it’s possible to take the black rook “for
nothing”, emerging a piece up.

1–0

Let’s look at another case of removing the guard, combined with the previous themes of the skewer
and discovered check.
Mikhail Tal
Dragoljub Velimirovic
Teslic 1979

White to move

The seventh World Champion, Mikhail Tal, has sacrificed a piece to reach this position. Although
the rook on c4 is under attack, the black queen is the only obstacle to carrying out a lethal discovered
check from the white queen by moving the rook from f5.
So all that’s necessary is to displace the queen from e6.

29.Re4!

A decisive blow; now if 29...Qxe4 then 30.Re5+, winning the queen.

29...Qxa2

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 Now the result is mate.

30.Rxc5+!

If 30...Kd6 then 31.Rd4+, followed by mate, while if 30...Kd8 White captures the rook on c8 with
mate.

1–0

Opening Lines
From the viewpoint of the attacking side it’s generally useful to have more open lines along which
to invade the enemy position, be they files or diagonals, and sometimes it’s advisable to sacrifice
material to achieve this.
Let’s look at an example.
Alexander Alekhine
Emanuel Lasker
Zürich 1934

White to move

White’s queen is under attack. Apparently 25.Nf5+ Kh8 doesn’t achieve a great deal; the king is
well covered on h8 with the h-file closed.
But, what if it were open?

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 25.Nf5+! Kh8 26.Qxg6!!

A brilliant finish by the fourth World Chess Champion.

The threat is 27.Qg7++, and in view of the fact that opening the h-file with 26...hxg6 leads to mate
after 27.Rh3+ Nh6 28.Rxh6++, Lasker resigned.

1–0

Deflection
When a piece is carrying out an important defensive task from a certain square, deflecting it, i.e.
forcing it to move away from that square, can have far-reaching consequences. And if the defence of
the monarch is concerned, the harmful effects can be greater, and even irreparable.
Let’s look at an example:
Mikhail Botvinnik
Paul Keres
Moscow 1966

White to move

The black queen is fulfilling a vital role in the defence from d8, as it defends the pawn on h4; if
White could play Qxh4 the game would end in a speedy mate.

27.Rb8!!

18
 The five-times World Champion achieves a decisive deflection.
The black queen is unable to continue to defend the pawn on h4, because the e7- and f6- squares are
controlled by the knight on d5 and the bishop on e3 controls g5.
After 27...Qxb8 28.Qxh4, White threatens mate on h7, and clearing f8 with 28...Rc8 only delays
mate by one move; next would follow 29.Qh7+ Kf8 30.Qh8++.

1–0

Attraction
This tactical theme is similar to the previous one. The difference is that in this case an enemy piece
is pulled or attracted somehow to a square which would make the opponent’s situation worse.
Let’s look at an example:
Emanuel Lasker
Alfred Ettlinger
New York 1893

White to move

White can recover his piece with 27.Rxg7+ Rxg7 28.Rxg7+, which wins, but there is something
faster and more impressive.
The basis for the combination is that if the black king were on h7 it would be worse for Black,
because there would be mate after 27.Rxg7+.

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 27.Qh7+!

As indicated above, 27...Kxh7 allows 28.Rxg7+ Rxg7 29.Rxg7++.

27...Kf8

And now there’s another attractive blow to clear the g-file.

28.Qxh8+!

If 28...Bxh8 then 29.Rg8++.

1–0

Let’s look at a classic example.

Boris Spassky
Viktor Korchnoi
Kiev 1968

White to move

The black king is very exposed, but nonetheless the way to take advantage of it is surprisingly fast
and attractive.
The h-file is open, but with the king on h7, 35.Rh1+ doesn’t achieve much after 35...Kg8.
However, the situation would be very different if the king were on another square, such as h6...

20
 35.Qh6+!

Now 35...Kxh6 allows 36.Rh1++, while 35...Kg8 loses to 36.Rc8+ followed by mate.

1–0

Obstruction
Sometimes a piece can have a vital task, either defensive or aggressive. In such cases, being able to
cut off its communications, even at the cost of sacrificing material, can resolve the situation. This
theme is known as obstruction or interference.
Levon Aronian
Viswanathan Anand
Tata Steel - Wijk aan Zee 2013

Black to move

The white queen is carrying out a vital defensive role from d3, protecting the pawn on h3.

23...Be3!

Nullifying the defensive action of the queen and therefore threatening 24...Qxh3++; 24.Bxe3 would
be followed by 24...Qxh3+ 25.Kg1 Qxg2++.
Regarding the importance of knowing the games of the classical masters of the past, Anand
mentioned the similarities of this game to Rotlewi - Rubinstein, Lodz 1907:

21
 “It was the same idea: bishop on b6, bishop on b7, knight on g4, queen on h4, and always
something on g3, h3, ... Rxc3–h3... it’s very similar”, he pointed out. (22...Rxc3!)

0–1

Intermediate move
An intermediate move (the German word zwischenzug is also used) occurs when an unexpected or
‘silent’ move is introduced into an apparently forced or logical sequence, to the advantage of one side
or the other.
Robert Fischer
Pal Benko
Yugoslavia 1959

22
 White to move

White is a piece down and his e4-knight and a1-rook are both under threat, but he is attacking.
The first variation to consider is 20.Nhf6+ Bxf6 21.Nxf6+, which forces 21...Qxf6 to prevent
22.Qxh7++, and after 22.Qxf6 Nxa1 23.Rxa1 Bb7 White is better, but there would be a long struggle
ahead, with Black having good chances of defence.
However, after a simple intermediate move, foreseen beforehand by Fischer, of course, everything
becomes simpler.

20.Rad1!

A winning move; White attacks the queen, while maintaining the threats against f6 and g7, which
restricts the possible retreat of the black queen.

20...Qe5

If 20...Qxb2 the quickest way is to play 21.c3!, cutting off the queen from the defence, with mate
following in a few moves.

21.Nef6+ Bxf6 22.Nxf6+ Qxf6 23.Qxf6 Nc5

Black has only two minor pieces for the queen. Now White ‘manufactures’ a double attack to win
more material.

24.Qg5+!

So that the rook on f8 will be left unprotected.

23
 24...Kh8 25.Qe7

The queen is now able to attack two loose pieces.

25...Ba6 26.Qxc5 Bxf1 27.Rxf1 1–0

Zugzwang
This German word refers to a situation where any possible move makes the position worse.
“Semi-zugzwang” situations occasionally occur in the middlegame, when one side has an
overwhelming territorial advantage, but the more usual situation for zugzwang is in the endgame.
Let’s look at a recent example.
Leinier Domínguez Pérez
Magnus Carlsen
Opera Euro Rapid chess24.com 2021

Black to move

Black has a winning endgame. Naturally he doesn’t play 72...Kxb1?? in view of 73.Kxa3, but
White has very few moves available.
Black has various winning moves, such as 72...Bg6, but the current World Champion, Magnus
Carlsen chose the way which best illustrates the idea of zugzwang.

72...Bb3!

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 Now White has no useful moves; the bishop can’t move due to 73...a2, and any move of the king
loses contact with the a3-pawn, which would allow 73...Kxb1, winning.

0–1

Back Rank Weakness

One of the most important tactical weaknesses is that of a poorly defended back rank; this can lead
to combinations where the material situation is irrelevant, since any check on the back rank can be
checkmate.
Let’s look at an example:
Ossip Bernstein
José Raúl Capablanca
Moscow 1914

Black to move

Both sides’ back ranks require care and attention.

White didn’t fear 29...Qb1+ 30.Qf1, since as Black’s back rank is also weak, he can’t play 30...Rd1
in view of 31.Rc8+, followed by mate, so White was expecting 30...Qxa2, with equal chances, but...

29...Qb2!!

Black offers the unprotected queen; but of course 30.Qxb2 would allow 30...Rd1++.
The black queen is now attacking both the queen and the rook; if 30.Qe1 Black can play 30...Qxc3,

25
while if 30.Rc2 Black wins with 30...Qb1+! 31.Qf1 Qxc2.

0–1

Capablanca was the third World Champion; for those of us who speak Spanish he is “our” World
Champion, as he is the only one with Spanish as his native language.

Overloading
A piece is overloaded when it has to defend two or more vital points at the same time. We have
already seen how this tactical weakness had an influence in earlier examples.
Emanuel Lasker
Theodor Von Scheve
Berlin 1890

White to move

In this case the overloaded piece, on two consecutive moves, is the d8-rook which, although this
isn’t immediately apparent, must protect both the rook on a8 and the bishop on d3.

25.Rxd3!

Of course 25...Rxd3 loses to 26.Qxa8+, but... it seems that Black can recapture with the queen.

25...Qxd3

And now here comes the second overload situation: the d8-rook must defend both the queen as well

26
as the back rank.

26.Re8+!

This is a combination that brings together the themes of overload and deflection, which you should
incorporate at once into your tactical arsenal. It occurs quite often.
26...Rxe8 allows 27.Qxd3, while if 26...Kh7 then, in this particular case White has 27.Qh5++,
while in many similar combinations White can win with something like 27.Qxd3 Rxd3 28.Rxa8.

1–0

This particular form of deflection has become known as the “Hook and Ladder Trick.”
As a final example, before moving on to the puzzles, let’s look at another, very curious, case of an
overloaded piece.
As a clue we shall tell you that it’s the f7-pawn which must fulfil two tasks, one of which is to
prevent the d7-rook from capturing on g7. In other words, it can’t move.
Its other task we’ll leave for you to discover on your own, after the following explanation.
David Bronstein
Efim Geller
Moscow 1961

White to move

The position doesn’t seem very simple at first sight. White has a material advantage, but the white

27
queen is under attack and Black’s central pawns are threatening to advance. In addition, the white
king is not very well protected.
However, looking at it more carefully, there are some negative details in Black’s position. His
castled position has no defenders, the queen is a long way off and White has a rook on the seventh
rank and a pawn on f6.
But that alone would not be enough to end the game as abruptly as happens; something else is
needed, and that something is the queen, charging into the attack.
What’s the other task of the f7 pawn? Did you find the answer?
Defending the g6 square!

20.Qg6!!

A beautiful move, which forced Black’s resignation. The threat is 21.Qxg7++, which is serious
enough, but it also threatens 21.Qxf7+, followed by mate; and the main point is that if 20...fxg6 then
White has 21.Rxg7+ and 22.Nxg6++.
This is a rather exceptional case. Only rarely do the attacking forces, so reduced in numbers,
coordinate so effectively after sacrificing the queen.

1–0

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 Show in Text Mode

Chapter 2
Basic level puzzles

Playing for mate

In these first 14 exercises your task is to try to mate the opponent or else gain a decisive material
advantage, not immediately but after preparation.
Puzzle 1

White to move

White has a decisive material advantage but it’s possible to win the game immediately by
deflecting a vital defender – how?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Try to deflect the defending rook away from Black’s second rank.

30.Bxd5+!

29
If 30...Rxd5 then 31.Re7 and mate.

1–0

Bernstein - John, Ostend 1906.

Puzzle 2

White to move

Black is ready to shelter his king on g7. How to prevent this?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Try to open up the seventh rank, so that the black monarch can’t escape.

32.Nxe6+!

And mate is unavoidable; 32...fxe6 33.Qxc8++.

1–0

Lazarevic - Todorova, Candidates Tournament (Women), Plovdiv 1959.

Puzzle 3

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 White to move

White has several ways to win, thanks to the weakness of the black monarch; the remoteness of the
black queen, which is unable to aid the defence, is another factor.
There is a very quick way to win – what is it?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Allow the f1-rook to come into play with decisive effect.

33.Bh7+!

If 33...Rxh7 then 34.Rxf8++.

1–0

Keller - Gresser, Candidates Tournament (Women), Plovdiv 1959.

Puzzle 4

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 Black to move

The rook on d7 is attacked and there’s no good defence, but... Black can counterattack – how?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Bear in mind that the white monarch is very exposed.

46...Qxb3!

Threatening mate on b1, which wins a rook after for instance 47.Qe1 (47.Rxd7 Qb1++) 47...Qb1+
(not necessary, but simplest) 48.Qxb1 axb1=Q+ 49.Kxb1 Rxd4.

0–1

Lazarevic - Ladanyike Karakas, Women’s Candidates Tournament, Plovdiv 1959.

Puzzle 5

32
 Black to move

The white king is very weak; what’s the quickest way for the black queen to strike a decisive blow?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: “Clearing the way.”

22...Be3!

And it’s not possible to prevent the entry of the queen, with mate on b2 or a1.

23.Rde1

Or 23.fxe3 Qb2++

23...Qa1++

0–1

Nepomniachtchi - Nakamura, chess.com 2020.

Puzzle 6

33
 White to move

The white queen is attacked, but there’s a way to demonstrate that the black queen is overloaded,
since it must defend two vital points. How can this be exploited?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: The black queen is defending both the bishop on d8 and ...

27.Qxc6!

Threatening 28.Qe8++. It’s not the only good move, but it’s definitely the most crushing; Black
loses a piece.

27...Bd7

Of course, if 27...Qxc6 then 28.Rxd8+ and mate.

28.Qxc7 Bxc7 29.Rxd7 Be5 30.a4

1–0

Martín Duque - Medarde, Spanish Championship, Linares 2020.

Puzzle 7

34
 White to move

Rook and knight against rook is almost always a draw, but with the king on the edge of the board
there can be exceptions.
The engines indicate that there’s only one move that holds here and that’s 81.Rd6,
but White played 81.Rc6??
Why does this move lose?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Because Black can incarcerate the white king.

81...Kf7!

And there’s no good defence against 82...Rh1++. With the knight controlling c7 there is no saving
check on the second rank, as there would have been after 81.Rd6.

0–1

Studer - Antón, Online Olympiad 2020.

Puzzle 8

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 Black to move

The white king is very weak; however, the white queen is attacking the f3-rook, which limits the
mobility of the black queen... or does it?
What did Black play?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By counterattacking with an even stronger threat.

45...Qxd4!

Threatening mate on b2.

46.Bd1 Rd3

And there’s no defence against 47...Rd2.

0–1

Vega Gutiérrez, S - Moreno Tejera, Spanish Team Championship, Linares 2020.

Puzzle 9

36
 White to move

Black is a piece up but his king is weak; nevertheless it’s hardly ever possible to win the game by
attacking just with the queen.
How did White cause Black to resign?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By bringing a new piece into the attack.

29.Rac1!

The rook joins in the attack, threatening 30.Rc8++; now if 29...Rb8 then 30.Rc7 Rh7 31.Qg8+ wins,
while if 29...Qa8 then 30.Rc8+.

1–0

Ayats - Daulyte-Cornette, Barcelona 2020.

Some of the next seven exercises might prove to be more difficult.
Puzzle 10

37
 Black to move

Here we have a pawn race which is very favourable to Black, due to a factor of overriding
importance: the unsafe position of the white king.
Black can profit from this in various ways, such as 49...d2 50.Rd1 Qe5,
or 49...Re8, which wins, although it takes several moves.
Nevertheless, there’s a much quicker way. What is it?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: With a more immediate and serious threat.

49...Rg8!

Threatening mate on g1, with her rook or queen; there’s no good defence.

50.Qf2 Qh1+

0–1

Grigorieva - Goryachkina, Russian Women’s Championship, Moscow 2020.

Puzzle 11

38
 Black to move

Black has a winning position, thanks to his extra pawn on f2 and better placed pieces.
There’s a way to speed up the winning process – how?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By enabling the most powerful piece to join in the attack.

31...Rxd3+!

If 32.Bxd3 then 32...Qa4+ wins.

The capture of the rook is forced, and the coordinated attack by the queen, together with the power
of the black minor pieces, not forgetting the pawn on f2, leads to mate in two moves.

0–1

Polzin - Lokander, Bundesliga, Karlsruhe 2020.

Puzzle 12

39
 Black to move

The white king is in danger and Black has a way to demonstrate this – how?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By bringing a fresh piece into the attack.

39...Ra8!

39...Rb8 also works.

The threat now is 40.-- 40...Ra1+, forcing White to block on f1; if 41.Rf1 (or 41.Bf1 Bd4+) then
41...Raa2 and there’s no good defence against 42...Rxg2++; if 42.Be4 then 42...Bd4+.
Here it’s worth noting how the presence of the bishops of opposite colour favours the attacker.

40.Rxe5

And at the same time White resigned.

Defending with 40.Rxe5 Kxe5 41.Kh2 Raa2 42.Rg1 is very passive and Black wins by advancing
his passed pawn with 42...c5 43.Kh1 c4, followed by ...c3.

0–1

Chatalbashev - Ochsner, Danish Championship, Svendborg 2020.

Puzzle 13

40
 White to move

The b2-pawn is threatening to queen, but it’s White’s move and he can launch a decisive attack –
how?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Because White, by coordinating his two pieces, and with the help of the pawn on g5,
checkmates first.

58.Bd5+!

The continuation would be 58...Kg7 59.Re7+ Kf8 60.Re8+ Kg7 61.Rg8++.

1–0

Fier - Bluebaum, Tegernsee Masters 2020.

Puzzle 14

41
 White to move

White has sacrificed a piece to weaken the black king; here he played:

18.Rhe1??

This wasted a vital tempo.

There was a more immediate way to exploit the bad position of the black king – how?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By preventing the black monarch from finding shelter, with an unexpected move.
With the spectacular 18.Qxe7+!, when after 18...Kg8 19.Qxb7 White remains with an extra piece,
while if 18...Kxe7 then 19.Bc5++.

18.Rhe1??

The game continued:

18...Ne4

And Black parried the threats, with a winning advantage.

19.Bd4 cxb2+ 20.Kb1 Bf6 21.Rxe4 Bxe5 22.Rxe5

White had only one minor piece for the queen and had no time to create enough threats; Black won

42
in 30 moves.
Grineva - Tsirulnik, Ukrainian Women’s Championship, Kherson 2020.

43
 Show in Text Mode

Double attack puzzles

In the next 21 puzzles, in one way or another the main theme is a double attack, on two pieces at
once, or on one piece but accompanied with a greater threat , etc.
Puzzle 15

White to move

Black has some counterplay, perhaps insufficient, but the game could go on for a long time and
Black could fight on, even though he’s a pawn down.
How did White conclude the game in his favour here by force?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: White would like to simplify the game.

29.Ra8+! Bc8 30.Rxc8+!

And White is able to simplify, reaching a winning endgame, thanks to a knight fork.

44
 30...Kd7

If 30...Kxc8 then 31.Ne7+.

31.Rxc5 Kd6?

The player with the black pieces can’t be accused of lacking a sense of humour; instead of taking
on g2, or resigning, he allows the same tactical blow.

32.Rc6+!

1–0

Johner - Von Balla, Ostend 1906.

Puzzle 16

Black to move

White has an obvious tactical weakness: his king is weak, because the g-pawn is missing. This is
not enough on its own; Black needs something in addition to gain the advantage.
How did Black achieve this?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: It’s possible to create a second tactical weakness, linked to the existing weakness of the white
king on the g-file.

45
 17...exd4!

The new tactical weakness is the exposed knight on b5, which can be attacked twice.

18.cxd4?

White needed to resign himself to playing 18.Ba4, allowing 18...dxc3, followed by ...Ne5, or
...Nd4–e6, depending on how White responds, with an extra pawn and positional superiority for
Black, thanks to his better placed pieces.

18...Qg5+

A deadly double attack.

0–1

Wolf - Marco, Ostend 1906.

Puzzle 17

White to move

White has a winning endgame, but can shorten his task by setting up a double attack – how?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By taking advantage of two tactical weaknesses: the exposed king and a loose piece.

46
 38.d6!

With the threat of 39.Qd5+, exploiting the loose position of the rook on a8, in connection with the
unprotected king.
White is able to create a winning passed pawn.

38...Rd8

Black prevents the queen fork, but now the rook falls victim to another double attack.

39.Qg6+! Kf8 40.Qf6+

Capturing the rook or mating.

40...Ke8 41.Qe7++

1–0

Schlechter - Fahrni, Ostend 1906.

Puzzle 18

White to move

Black is threatening the bishop, but he has a serious tactical weakness. How can White exploit this?

Show/Hide Solution

47
 Hint: The tactical weakness is the loose rook, to which another weakness can be added.

33.Bxf7+!

Much better than the immediate double attack with 33.Qf3?!, which can be answered with
33...bxc4! 34.Qxd1 c3, and the position isn’t so clear.

33.Bxf7+!

If 33...Kxf7 then 34.Qf3+, followed by 35.Qxd1, so 33...Kh8 is forced, but then the black position
after 34.Bb3, a pawn down and with a weak king, is miserable, and losing at this level.

1–0

Geller - Panno, Candidates Tournament, Amsterdam 1956.

Puzzle 19

White to move

How can White set up a double attack?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By worsening the position of the black king, i.e. forcing it to move to a position which
favours us.

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 31.Bxg7! Kxg7

And now comes the double attack.

32.Qd4+

1–0

Eretova - Albulet, Women’s Candidates Tournament, Plovdiv 1959.

Puzzle 20

White to move

White played 24.Rf4??, and ended up losing, but overlooked a much better continuation – what was
it?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: White can set up a winning double attack.

24.Rxf6!, winning material, thanks to the knight fork arising after 24...Bxf6 25.Nd5.
If 24...Qa5 the simplest is 25.Rf4, and White retains a material advantage.
Finally, 24...Bxe2 25.Nd5 Qb8 26.Qxe2 fails to change the situation.
Bishard - Bykova, Moscow vs. Leningrad, Moscow 1965.
Puzzle 21

49
 White to move

Black has a slightly worse structure in return for his pair of bishops, but this is completely
irrelevant, due to various tactical weaknesses in Black’s position which White can exploit.
In what way?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: The tactical weaknesses are the loose rooks on d6 and f8 (which can be captured with check).

28.Ne6!

White wins an exchange and achieves a winning position.

28...Bxe6 29.Rxd6 Bf5 30.Ba4

Preparing the exchange of rooks on e8.

30...g5 31.Re8 Rf7

Understandably Black declines to exchange rooks, but leaves the e8-rook in a dominating position.

32.Bb3 Rc7 33.g4! Bg6

33...Bxg4 loses to 34.Bc2+ g6 35.Rxf6.

50
 34.Bg8+ Kh8 35.Bf7+ Kh7 36.Bxg6+

The simplest; with each exchange White’s task is less complicated. White won in 55 moves.
Gaprindashvili - Kramer, Beverwijk 1966.
Puzzle 22

Black to move

White’s pieces are very active, but he has neglected his own security.
How can Black exploit the defect in White’s position?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: With a simultaneous attack on two pieces.

27...Ne5!

And the two pieces attacked are the knight on d6 and the rook on f3; Black will win material
without adequate compensation.

28.Nf5+

White prefers to sacrifice a piece in an effort to complicate the game, but Black has sufficient
defence.

28...gxf5 29.Rg3+ Kh7 30.exf5 Qd7 31.Rh3 Nf7 32.Rff3 Re1+

51
 Black is now winning easily.

33.Kf2 Qe7 34.Qd2 Re8

0–1

Fernández Rubio - Franco Ocampos, Zaragoza 2010.

Puzzle 23

Black to move

Black has an advantage in material and now he has the opportunity to conclude the game by
creating a decisive double attack – how?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By preparing a winning double attack.

36...Qxb1!

The first step.

37.Qxb1 Rc1

Attacking the queen, and winning it, as 38.Qxb2 is impossible due to 38...Rxf1++.

0–1

52
 Gómez Sanjuán - Salgado, Spanish Championship, Linares 2020.
Puzzle 24

White to move

White is a pawn up, which would win in the long run, but he has the possibility of finishing the
game very quickly – how?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By taking advantage of Black’s main tactical weakness.

That weakness is the situation of the black monarch.

49.Qc8!

With a double attack, the mate threat on b7 and the attack on the bishop, which, situated as it is on
c7, prevents the black queen from defending against the mate along the second rank.

49...Qd5+ 50.Ka3 Qf3+ 51.b3

1–0

Van Foreest, L - Donchenko, Bundesliga, Karlsruhe 2020.

Puzzle 25

53
 White to move

Black has just forked two white pieces, but White now has the possibility of winning the game –
how?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Black has a clear tactical weakness, to which White adds a bigger threat.

23.Qc2!

With a winning double attack; the loose knight is attacked and there is a threat of mate on h7.

23...Nxd1 24.Qxh7++

1–0

Lokander - Lemmers, Bundesliga, Karlsruhe 2020.

Puzzle 26

54
 White to move

White has an extra pawn, which will be very difficult to convert, but he can win immediately here,
due to other factors – how?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: The situation here is similar to the one in the previous puzzle. Black has a tactical weakness
and White adds another threat.

47.Qc7!

With a double attack, against the loose rook and against f7, with a quick mate.

47...Rxd5 48.Rxd5

The exchange sacrifice was forced, but it fails to provide drawing chances, as Black has no
counterplay. White won in 65 moves.
Pérez Candelario - Ubilava, Spanish Team Championship, Linares 2020.
Puzzle 27

55
 White to move

White is a pawn up, but it wouldn’t be easy to realise it in an ending; on the other hand, Black is
putting pressure on the f4-knight, restricting the movements of the white queen.
But there’s a tactical weakness in the black position that makes all this irrelevant.
What did White play?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: The tactical weakness here is Black’s weak back rank.

48.Qg6!

White sets up a double threat: he attacks the black queen but also prepares a devastating check on
e8 if the queen moves away.
Instead, 48.Qxe5? dxe5 49.Rxe5 Bd4 would give Black counterchances.

48.Qg6! Qxf4

Forced, but Black will be unable to keep a rook and a piece for the queen.

49.Re8+ Qf8 50.Qe6+!

Winning the queen and retaining the rook.

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 1–0

Karjakin - Vidit, Skilling Open, chess24.com 2020.

Puzzle 28

White to move

Black has an extra pawn and a strong knight on e4, but none of this matters, due to a decisive
tactical weakness in Black’s camp.
How can White exploit this?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: The tactical weakness here is the bad placement of the black monarch, which allows a
winning double attack.

30.Qc1+!

1–0

Mikhalevski - Bykhovsky, Ramat Gan 2020.

Puzzle 29

57
 White to move

The queen is worth about the same as two rooks, but not if there are tactical weaknesses which can
be exploited, as in this case – how?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By taking advantage of the loose position of the rook on c1, plus another factor.

56.Qf5+!

The other factor is the bad placement of the black king. This move forces the black king to move to
an unfavourable square.
If 56...Kh4 then White has a double attack with 57.Qf4+.

1–0

Antipov - Ponkratov, Russian Team Championship, Sochi 2020.

Puzzle 30

58
 Black to move

It’s not so simple to convert Black’s slight material advantage.

His most dangerous asset, the pawn on h3, seems be under control, and his rook is attacked. Show
that this is not the case, with just one ‘magical’ move.

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: With a move that defends the attacked rook and threatens to win with a double attack.

61...h2!

Threatening to queen; if 62.Nxh2 then 62...Rg2, winning a knight.

0–1

Muñoz - Grigoryan, Barcelona 2020.

Puzzle 31

59
 Black to move

Black has a winning position, but instead of a slow realisation of his advantage, he can win quickly
– how?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By preparing the conditions for a winning double attack, helped by the bad position of the
white king.

45...Rxb2!

A temporary exchange sacrifice, setting up a devastating blow to follow.

46.Rxb2 Qc1+

Forcing the white queen to abandon the protection of the rook.

47.Qe1

It’s worth noting that with the white king on g1 the combination wouldn’t work.

47...Qxb2

0–1

Giri - Wei, Hainan Danzhou, chess.com 2020.

60
 Puzzle 32

White to move

Although White has a big advantage, his king is slightly exposed and winning could take time. But
he managed to conclude the game here by setting up a double attack – how?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: This puzzle is similar to the previous ones, except that there isn’t any tactical weakness yet,
i.e. no loose piece; so White must create one.

39.Rxf4!

And White wins the rook on f4 after 39...Rxf4 40.Qd6+.

1–0

Nepomniachtchi - Matlakov, Russian Championship, Moscow 2020.

The three final positions require a bit more calculation.
Puzzle 33

61
 Black to move

The white position appears to be secure, and with the queen on e2 that would certainly be the case,
but not here. How can Black set up a double attack?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By taking advantage of the situation of the white king to execute a double attack after one
preparatory move.

26...Be5!

After 27.g3 Black wins material, thanks to the fact that 27...Qf3+ comes with check, and attacks
both the king and the rook on d1, winning a piece after 28.Kg1 Rxd1 29.Rxd1 Rxd1+ 30.Bxd1
Qxd1+.

0–1

Schouten - Gaprindashvili, European Seniors Championship +65, Yerevan 2016.

Puzzle 34

62
 White to move

There is very little material left, but Black has two tactical weaknesses which White can exploit.
What did he play?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: The two tactical weaknesses are a) the fact that rook and the king are in range of a knight fork
and b) the loose position of the knight on b4.

38.Nd6! Na6

The tactics help White here, as this resource is not enough to save Black.
38...Rd7 39.Ne8+ Kf8 40.Nf6+ is no better.

39.Ra8

If 39...Rd7 then once again 40.Ne8+.

1–0

Alsina - Garrido, Spanish Championship, Linares 2020.

Puzzle 35

63
 White to move

The black pieces appear to be well coordinated, but in fact White has a tactical opportunity here.
What should he play?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Which black piece is a tactical weakness?

26.Qf4!

A decisive double attack, against the knight and (indirectly, if the knight retreats) against the
bishop.
Instead, 26.Qg5? is less strong in view of 26...Qe7!, saving the piece.

26.Qf4!

In contrast, now if 26...Qe7, as the white queen isn’t attacked, 27.Nxf5 wins.

26...Nxg2

An ingenious but inadequate attempt to complicate the game.

27.Kxg2 Bh3+ 28.Kf2!

Better than 28.Kxh3 Qxf4 29.Bxf4 Rxe1.

64
 28...Qg6

Logically Black doesn’t want to play an ending a piece down after 28...Qxf4 29.Bxf4 Rf8, but the
move played fails to improve his chances.

29.Qh4

As well as having gained a material advantage, White now has a strong attack.

29...Bd7 30.Nh5! c5 31.Nxg7 Rf8 32.Nh5

1–0

Andreikin - Triapishko, Russian Team Championship, Sochi 2020.

65
 Show in Text Mode

Puzzles based on pinning or unpinning

In the following 13 puzzles the main theme is pinning or unpinning.
Puzzle 36

Black to move

The knight on e6 is pinned and White is threatening to take on f6.

How can Black convert this situation into a boomerang?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By noting the fact that White also has tactical weaknesses.

23...Ng5!

This counterattack, unpinning the knight, is winning. Black exploits the weakness of White’s back
rank and the loose rook on e1 and is now threatening to capture the white queen with check.

24.Rxe7 Nxf3+ 25.gxf3 Kxe7

66
 0–1

Post - Taubenhaus, Ostend 1906.

Puzzle 37

White to move

The knight on c3 is pinned and Black seems about to regain the sacrificed piece. Show that this is
not the case.

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By showing that Black also has a tactical weakness.

40.Ne2!

With this unpinning move White attacks the loose bishop and preserves his material advantage.

40...Rxf3 41.Nxd4 Rf4 42.Nb5 Rxg4+ 43.Kf1 Rh4 44.Kg2

White can easily defend both his pawns, but the black pawn on c7 is doomed.

44...Rg4+ 45.Kf3 Rg5 46.Nxc7

And Black has only one pawn for the piece.

1–0

67
Swiderski - Bernstein, Ostend 1906.
Puzzle 38

White to move

White extracted maximum benefit from a pin – how?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: White exploits the power of his two bishops, in connection with the open f-file.

19.Bxf7+!

Winning decisive material, because 19...Nxf7 loses to 20.Bxd8.

19...Kh8 20.Bxe8 Bxe8

There’s no compensation for the material deficit.

21.Kh1 Bg6 22.Qg4 Ne8 23.Bxg5 Qxg5 24.Qxg5 hxg5 25.Rae1

And White converted his material advantage smoothly.

Szabo - Cantero, Asunción 1960.
Puzzle 39

68
 White to move

Black has a weak back rank, but also a good defender, since if 35.Rf8+ the bishop can retreat to g8.
What would you play here to demonstrate the flaw in this reasoning?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: As sometimes happens, the winner here is the player who calculates one move further than
the opponent.

35.Rf8+! Bg8 36.Qd5

This is the problem; the pinned bishop is defenceless.

1–0

Mcconnell - Lam, New World Chess, lichess.org 2020.

Puzzle 40

69
 Black to move

The white pieces are uncoordinated; Black exploited this by employing the theme of the pin, among
other things. What did he play?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: The factors here are not only the various pins which are created but also the weakness of
White’s castled position, with the h-file open.

28...Qe4+!

And Black wins material:

The white queen is tied to the defence of the knight, so if 29.Qf3 then 29...Qxd3.
29.Nf3 moves into a pin, which can be exploited with 29...Nxd4 or 29...g4.
29.Kh2 runs into trouble on the open h-file with 29...Rh8+ 30.Nh3 g4 or 30...Nxd4.

29.f3 Nxe3+ 30.Kf2 Qxd4

0–1

Brondt - Chatalbashev, Danish Championship, Svendborg 2020.

Puzzle 41

70
 Black to move

White has just played 19.b4, trying to drive off the black queen, but there’s a snag – what is it?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: It’s important not to respond automatically. It’s essential to look to see if there are any
alternatives, before playing the apparently obvious move.

19...bxc4!

Black isn’t forced to retreat with his queen. Now the pawn on b4 is pinned, so Black gains a very
strong passed pawn.

20.a3 Qa4 21.Rd2?! a5

And another pawn falls.

0–1

Svidler - Vidit, Skilling Open, chess24.com 2020.

Puzzle 42

71
 White to move

White has more than one way to win, but the most crushing way is based on the theme of the pin.
What is it?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: There’s something much better than the moves 62.Qb7+

or 62.Qb8+, followed by the capture of the bishop, which should win but which allow queen
checks, prolonging the struggle.

62.Rxb1+!

Lining up Black’s king and queen along the same file, enabling White to capture the black queen
after 62...Qxb1 63.Qb7+ or 63.Qb8+.

1–0

Radjabov - Aronian, Airthings Masters chess24.com 2021.

The following six puzzles are slightly more difficult.
Puzzle 43

72
 White to move

The d4-pawn is threatened.

Choose between three options:
1) Defending it by playing 31.f4.
2) Defending it by playing 31.Ne5.
3) Playing something like 31.Rg3.

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: It’s essential always to ask yourself: “what can my opponent do in reply?”.

31.f4?

Opening the long light-squared diagonal and losing the game.

31.Ne5? is bad because it loses the pawn on b3.
By elimination, the best move is 31.Rg3!, preparing 32.f4, and White, in a complex position,
doesn’t stand badly; the best reply seems be 31...Rc7.
The puzzle is solved, but if you’d like to delve more deeply, here are a few more complicated lines
following the correct move, 31.Rg3! and “game on!”.

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 The d4-pawn is defended indirectly, since if 31...Bxd4? then 32.f4 Qe4 33.Nf2!, threatening the
queen and the bishop on d4, so White wins material.
We can continue this line a bit further: 33...Bxf2? loses to 34.Rxg7+ Kh8 35.Rxh7+! Kxh7
36.Qh5+ Kg8 37.Qg6++.
White also wins material after 31...f4 32.Rg5 Bxd4? 33.Bc1!, and the queen is trapped.

31.f4? Qxh3!

Now, on the other hand, the g2-pawn is pinned.

0–1

Swiderski - Janowski, Ostend 1906.

Puzzle 44

74
 White to move

White has various good moves available, such as 38.Rf6, which should win, but it will take time.
He chose a continuation which shortens the task, but one which requires a second key blow. What
did he play?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: White is able to make progress by using the theme of this section twice over.

38.Rxf7!

The first step.

38...Rxf7 39.Bd5

This pin is very strong; now if 39...Rbf8 then 40.Rf6, intending to capture on g6 before winning
back the exchange.

39...Nf5

What’s the second blow?

40.Rxf5!

Preparing a second pin.

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 40...gxf5 41.g6

1–0

Szabo - Recalde, Asunción 1960.

Puzzle 45

Black to move

White has an extra pawn. If Black exchanges queens his d5-pawn will remain pinned, while if the
black queen retreats, the e4-bishop will just do the same.
How can Black demonstrate that this way of looking at the position is faulty?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By means of a double attack.

32...Qxc3!

The first step.

33.Bxc3 Rc8!

Unpinning the rook and leaving White with two pieces under attack.

34.Bxd5 Bxd5 35.Rxd5 Rxc3

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 With a decisive material advantage; Black won quickly.
Littlewood, N - Gaprindashvili, Hastings 1964/65.
Puzzle 46

White to move

White can take advantage of two tactical themes: the pin and the overloaded piece – how?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Another theme which appears, in addition to the pin and the overload of a piece, is the
weakness of the black monarch.

20.Nxd7!

The knight on f6 must defend h7; 20...Nxd7 loses to 21.Qh7+ and mate.
20.Rxd7 Rxc2 21.Rxd8 is also winning.

20.Nxd7! Qxd7

If 20...Rxc2 then 21.Nxf6+ Bxf6 22.Rxd8, winning a piece.

21.Rxd7 Rxc2 22.Rxe7

Winning a piece, White won in 45 moves.

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 Gaprindashvili - Florea, Women’s Senior World Championship, Marianske Lazne 2016.
Puzzle 47

White to move

White played:

35.Qd8+?

But he overlooked a much better move, thanks to a manoeuvre which involves at least two themes,
the pin and the removal of the guard. What should he have played?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: The rook on c2 is a tactical weakness.

The rook depends on the support of the bishop on f5, which can be neutralised with 35.e4!.
In the event of 35...Bxe4 36.Qxc2 wins.
Counterattack with 35...Qb2 36.exf5 Rxf2, sacrificing a piece, fails because White’s attack strikes
first with 37.Qd8+.
If 37...Kg7 then 38.Bc3+! wins.
If 37...Kh7 the quickest way is 38.Qh4+ Kg7 39.Bc3+, or 38...Kg8 39.Re8+ and mate.
Lam - Foerster-Yialamas, New World Chess, lichess.org 2020.
Puzzle 48

78
 White to move

White has more active pieces and a great concentration of forces on the kingside, which he can
exploit largely due to the pin theme – how?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Use the power of the queen on g4, not only attacking along the g-file but also exerting ‘X-
ray’ pressure along the diagonal h3-c8.

30.Nxg7!

A decisive win of material; the e8-rook and the e6-knight are both attacked.
If 30...Nxg7 then 31.Rxd7, while 30...Kxg7 exposes the king to a deadly discovered check and
White wins with, among other things, 31.Rxd7+ Qxd7 32.Nxe5+.

1–0

Ding Liren - Wang Hao, Danzhou chess.com 2020.

79
 Show in Text Mode

Puzzles involving win of material

In the next 12 puzzles the main theme is winning material.
Puzzle 49

White to move

Black’s pieces are behind in development and specifically he has a serious tactical weakness.
What is it, and how can White exploit it?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: There’s a black piece which is insecurely defended.

15.Bf4!

It’s the bishop on c5; the defending rook has no good square where it can keep defending it.

15...Bb6 16.Bxc7 Bxc7 17.0-0

And White won in 30 moves.

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 Marshall - Sournin, Ostend 1906.
Puzzle 50

White to move

In view of his passive bishop on b2, positionally White doesn’t have much, but he is able to exploit
a tactical weakness in the black camp – how?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Black has a few vulnerable pieces that can be attacked.

15.c5!

It’s the unfortunate placement of Black’s queen and bishops which allows White to win a piece.

15...Bxh2+

Black weakens the white monarch, hoping for some counterplay.

16.Kxh2 Bc6 17.f4

Black has no way to create threats against the white king, so the outcome is decided, White won in
47 moves.
John - Duras, Ostend 1906.

81
 Puzzle 51

Black to move

The black position is very dominating; how can he win material?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By forcing an enemy piece to move to a very unfavourable position.

34...Bc4!

And the queen can only move to c2.

35.Qc2 Bb3

This was the idea; White loses the exchange for nothing and is lost.

36.Rd8+ Bf8

Mora - Rudenko, Women’s World Championship, Moscow 1950.

Puzzle 52

82
 White to move

The white pawns are very strong, and deprive Black of a lot of space. How can White gain a
material advantage?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By taking advantage of the awkward placement of the black rooks.

27.Bxb6!

For success White needs to eliminate this defender.

27...axb6 28.Ba4!

Now there is no knight controlling a4.

28...Bb4

If 28...Rc7 then 29.d6.

29.d6 c3 30.Qe4 Ba3 31.Qc2 Qc4 32.Rf3 Bb2

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 The exercise could have ended here, as White is winning material, but perhaps the reader will
benefit further from seeing the end of the game.

33.Bb3!

An instructive moment; White declines to win the exchange with 33.Bxd7, since he has something
even stronger in mind: an attack on the king.
This attack is facilitated by the remote location of the bishop on b2 and the strength of White’
central structure central, which prevents any counterplay.

33...Qb5 34.Rh3

And Black has no good defence against Qxg6.

34...Rxd6 35.exd6 Rxd6 36.Re1 Qc6 37.f5 g5 38.f6!

1–0

Sánchez - Golombek, Saltsjöbaden Interzonal 1952.

Puzzle 53

84
 Black to move

Black’s position is winning. How can he win quickly?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By winning a piece with a simple combination.

41...Rxe2+!

If 42.Kxe2 then 42...Bg4+.

0–1

Keres - Averbakh, Candidates Tournament, Zürich 1953.

Puzzle 54

85
 White to move

Black is active, but he has a tactical weakness that White can exploit.
What’s it and how can it be exploited?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: It’s the knight on b6, combined with the position of the black king.
White should eschew 37.cxb6? Rxc2 38.Nxc2 Rxc2, which gains no material and favours Black,
and instead he should exploit the vulnerable positions of the knight on b6 and the king on e6.

37.Nxe4!

Winning a pawn without compensation and weakening Black’s structure.

37...Nd7

37...fxe4 38.Rd6+ Ke5 39.Rxb6 was equally unpleasant; if 39...Rd8 then White has 40.Nc4+ Kd4
41.g3 winning another pawn.

38.Nd6 Rh8 39.g3 Nh3 40.Nd5 Rc6 41.Re2+

If 41...Ne5 then 42.f4.

1–0

86
 Najdorf - Kotov, Candidates Tournament, Zürich 1953.
Puzzle 55

White to move

How can White demonstrate that the centralised location of the knight on d5 isn’t as good as it
seems?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By demonstrating that the knight is “a giant with feet of clay.”

32.Nd4!

Attacking the knight’s support, which is very precarious.

32...Kd7

32...Re8 runs into something similar: 33.Nxe6+! Rxe6 34.Rxd5

33.Nxf5! exf5 34.Rxd5+

Winning a pawn and reaching an easily winning ending.

34...Ke7 35.Rd6 Rg8 36.Rxh6 Rxg3 37.Rf6

1–0

87
 Nedeljkovic - Keller Herrmann, Women’s Candidates Tournament, Plovdiv 1959.
Puzzle 56

White to move

The bishop on g4 is a tactical weakness; how can this be exploited?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By means of a combination which you probably know, but in a different setting.

12.Bxh7+!

This blow is often followed by Ng5+ and an attack on the king, but here the objective is different –
winning a pawn without compensation.

12...Kxh7 13.Ng5+ Kg8 14.Qxg4

And White won in 40 moves.

Zvorykina - Gresser, Women’s Candidates Tournament, Plovdiv 1959.
Puzzle 57

88
 White to move

The black pawn on b2 threatens to queen; how can White defend against this?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By neutralising its support.

79.Rg7+!

Removing the guard of the b2-pawn.

After 79...Kc6 White wins with 80.Rxb7 Nxb7 81.Bxb2, followed by Bc1 or Bg7.

1–0

Franco Ocampos - Mabusela, Batumi Olympiad 2018.

Puzzle 58

89
 White to move

White is the exchange down for two pawns. How can he gain a material advantage?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Some of Black’s pieces lack solid protection.

29.Bxd6!

Eliminating the defender of the b7-rook. White will emerge with three very active minor pieces for
two rooks and with a passed b-pawn which will prove decisive.

29...Rxd7

Let’s examine the alternatives:

29...Bxd6 30.Rxb7 loses a piece.
29...Bxf2+ 30.Kxf2 Rxd7 31.Bc5 was slightly better, but White would continue with b4-b5, etc.,
giving Black little hope of survival.

30.Bxc5 Ra8 31.b4 Ra1+ 32.Kh2 Rb1 33.b5 Kg7 34.Nxe7 Rb7 35.d6

1–0

Rasulov, Vu - Pap, New World Chess lichess.org 2020.

90
 Puzzle 59

White to move

White has various ways to win; what is the simplest and strongest?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By forcing a black piece to move to a very unfavourable square.

39.Rh4+!

And the king must move to g7, allowing a decisive pin.

39...Kg7 40.Rg4

1–0

Vázquez Igarza - Navara, Spanish Team Championship, Linares 2020.

Puzzle 60

91
 White to move

The pawn on a3 is attacked and 21.bxa5 would allow the c5-knight to be captured; how can White
turn this situation around?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: There’s a humorous saying that is applicable here: “He who fights and runs away, may live to
fight another day.”

21.Na4!

The c5-knight retreats with a gain of tempo by attacking the enemy queen and is no longer in
danger of being captured.

21...Qxa3 22.bxa5 Qb4 23.Qa1 Qxa5 24.Qd4

Black has won two pawns for the piece, but it’s insufficient, and furthermore the pawns are weak
and will be attacked.
White is winning and needed only a further eight moves for victory.
Di Benedetto - Checa, Vergani Cup, Villorba 2021.

92
 Show in Text Mode

Puzzles on the theme of overloading

In the following 13 puzzles the main theme is overloading a piece; the first step will almost always
be to identify which piece is involved.
Puzzle 61

White to move

Black has a tactical weakness; what is it, and how should White play?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: The overloaded piece is the queen.

27.Nxf6+!

The queen is unable to defend f6 and c5 effectively at the same time.

27...Qxf6 28.Qxc5 Qxb2

Black has two pawns for the exchange, but the pawns are weak and Black will be unable to defend

93
them. Furthermore the black pieces are passive, so White has a winning advantage.

29.Be4! Bc4

Retreating the bishop gives up more ground, but 29...Rd8 would not have held the position either,
as after e.g. 30.Bxd5 exd5 31.Qb6 Rd7 32.Qxa6 the black pawns are very weak and the b-pawn is
doomed after Rb1.

30.Qc6 Re7 31.Qxa6

Black now has only one pawn for the exchange. White won in 35 moves.
Janowski - Johner, Ostend 1906.
Puzzle 62

Black to move

Which white piece is overloaded? How can this be exploited?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: The overloaded piece is the d2-bishop.

24...Rxe1!

Demonstrating that the bishop is unable to protect the e1-rook and the f4-square effectively at the
same time.

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 This is stronger than 24...Nf4+, which “only” wins an exchange.

24...Rxe1! 25.Bxe1 Nf4+

And mate quickly follows after 26...Qxh3.

0–1

Fahrni - Wolf, Ostend 1906.

Puzzle 63

White to move

There is an overloaded black piece. Which is it and how can it be exploited?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Here the overloaded piece is the a8-rook.

40.Rd8+!

The black rook must guard the back rank and defend the queen at the same time, which is
impossible.

40...Kg7

Of course 40...Rxd8 would allow 41.Qxa4, but now the black king falls under a mating attack.

95
 41.Qc3+!

If 41...Kh6 then 42.Qh8+ wins, while if 41...f6 then 42.Qxc7+ Kh6 43.Rd4, winning the queen,
because if for instance 43...Qxa2, then 44.Rh4+ Kg5 45.Qf4++.

1–0

Taimanov - Barcza, Saltsjöbaden Interzonal 1952.

Puzzle 64

White to move

White has a winning endgame; how can the outcome be speeded up?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By taking advantage of the fact that the e6-knight is overloaded.

65.c5!

Creating another passed pawn, thanks to this sacrifice; if 65...bxc5 then 66.b6.
In reality the black knight isn’t controlling c5, because if 65...Nxc5 then 66.g7 Kf7 67.Kh7,
queening.

1–0

96
 Ladanyike Karakas - Eretova, Women’s Candidates Tournament, Plovdiv 1959.
Puzzle 65

White to move

How should White play?

You have two options: to play an immediate 19.Nd5, or first improve the placement of the bishop
with 19.g3, intending Bg2.

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Don’t forget to ask yourself: “what can my opponent do?”!

19.g3?

It was preferable to play 19.Nd5, although Black is fine after 19...Bxd5 20.exd5 Nd4.

19.g3?

The idea behind 19.g3 can be a good one, but tactically there’s a snag, which you’ve seen, haven’t
you?

19...Bxd2!

Exploiting the overload on the white queen in order to capture the f3-bishop after 20.Qxd2.

97
0–1

De los Ríos - Rossetto, Asunción 1960.

Puzzle 66

Black to move

There is an overloaded white piece; which is it and how can it be exploited?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: The overloaded piece is the e1-rook.

36...Ne2+!

And the rook can’t defend f1 and e2 effectively at the same time.

37.Rxe2 Rxf1+ 38.Kh2 Rxh1+

0–1

Juhe - Gaprindashvili, Hastings 1963/64.

Puzzle 67

98
 White to move

There is an overloaded black piece; which piece is it, and how can White take advantage?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: The overloaded piece is the black queen.

40.Rc4!

The queen will now be unable to defend both rooks.

If 40...Qb7 then 41.Rxc8 Qxc8 42.Qxb5.

1–0

Franco Ocampos - Kropff, ABC Color, Asunción 2013.

Puzzle 68

99
 White to move

There is a black piece which can be deflected with lethal effect – how?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: We’ve already seen a similar puzzle with an overloaded rook.

27.Rd8+!

Winning decisive material.

27...Rxd8

If 27...Kg7 then 28.Qxc4 Rxc4 29.Rxa8.

28.Qxc4

Black held on to move 50, but could well have resigned at this point.
Bivol - Kosteniuk, Russian Women’s Championship chess24.com 2020.
Puzzle 69

100
 White to move

There are two ways to win. White made good use of his rooks on the seventh rank to launch a
winning attack – how?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: One way to win is with a theme that we’ve already seen, while the other involves overloading
a black rook.

31.Rxf7!

The quickest way; White exploits the fact that the f8-rook is overloaded in order to launch a mating
attack. The threat is now 32.Qg7++.

31...Rxf7 32.Rxc8+ Rf8 33.Qd5+! Kg7 34.Rc7+

If 34...Kh8 then 35.Qe5+, mating.

Did you also see the other way to win in the initial position?
It’s by means of a pin and there are two versions: 31.Rxc8 Rxc8 32.Qg1,
or the immediate 31.Qg1, winning a piece.

1–0

Argandona - Boixader Arbo, Spanish Championship, Linares 2020.

101
 Puzzle 70

White to move

Black’s hopes rest on playing 51...Kg5 and continuing resistance with the aid of his passed g-pawn,
but White can exploit two favourable themes here. What are they, and how can White take advantage
of them?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: The themes are the pin and the overload of the black pieces.

51.h7!

A stunning blow; the pawn threatens to queen, but the capture of the pawn leads to the loss of the
knight, which would leave White a rook up.

1–0

Rapport - Koch, Th, Bundesliga, Karlsruhe 2020.

Puzzle 71

102
 Black to move

There is an overloaded white piece; which is it and how can Black take advantage?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: It’s the c3-knight, which defends the knight on e2 , which in turn is necessary for the
protection of the f4-bishop, so...

18...Rxc3!

After 18...Bxe2? White could protect the f4-bishop with 19.Nxe2, but now that possibility is ruled
out.

18...Rxc3! 19.Nxc3

If 19.bxc3 there would follow 19...Bxe2 20.Rxe2 Nxf4, winning a piece.

19...Nxf4 20.Qg3 Bd6

Black has a decisive material advantage and won in 34 moves.

Edouard - Maghsoodloo, Capechecs Online 2020.
Puzzle 72

103
 White to move

There is an overloaded black piece; which is it, and how can it be exploited?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: It’s the black bishop.

36.Bc5+!

If 36...Bxc5 then 37.Rxd8.

36.Rxd8 Bxd8 37.Bc5+ Be7 would also have won, but much more slowly.

1–0

Esipenko - Kardashevskiy, Russian Team Championship, Sochi 2020.

Puzzle 73

104
 White to move

Black has an overloaded piece; which is it, and how can it be exploited?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: It’s the queen.

39.Bxc6! Qc7

39...Qxc6 allows mate after 40.Rxg7+.

And now?

40.Be8!

Winning the exchange and eliminating a vital defender; it’s mate in 7 moves according to the
engines.

1–0

Sebenik - Song, Ju Vergani Cup, Villorba 2021.

105
 Show in Text Mode

Puzzles on the theme of attraction and deflection

In the following 12 puzzles the game will revolve round the themes of attraction or deflection of a
piece.
Puzzle 74

Black to move

White’s structure is weak; he has an isolated pawn on a3 and doubled pawns on the c-file. How can
Black exploit these weaknesses?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By forcing a defender to move (squares as well as pieces can require defence).

18...a4!

First Black dislodges the defender of the c5-square.

19.Nd2 Qc5+

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 And now Black takes advantage of the open diagonal g1–a7 to give this check and capture the
pawn on c3.

20.Kh1 Qxc3

White’s problem, in addition to now being a pawn down, is that the weaknesses on a3 and c2 hinder
the coordination of his pieces.

21.Nb1 Qc5 22.Qb2 f6 23.Qb4?!

An attempt at counterplay which will prove futile, but there was hardly anything better.

23...Qxc2 24.Rc1 Qxd3 25.Rfd1 Qb5

And Black won in 46 moves.

Saburov - Bernstein, Ostend 1906.
Puzzle 75

White to move

Black has an extra pawn, but this is irrelevant compared to the most important factor here, the
insecurity of the black monarch.
How can White exploit the weakness of the black king?

Show/Hide Solution

107
 Hint: Look for mating patterns.

43.Qxh7+!

Deflecting the rook from the defence of g8.

43...Rxh7 44.Rg8++

1–0

Johner - Gattie, Ostend 1906.

Puzzle 76

White to move

The black position is riddled with various tactical weaknesses.

How can White exploit this situation?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: There is an overloaded black piece.

33.Rxd7!

The queen is the overloaded piece; by attracting it to a very unfavourable square, White wins
material.

108
 33...Qxd7

33...Rxa4 fails to, among other things, 34.Rxc7+ Ka8 35.Qb6, which is even stronger than 35.Qxa4
Qxc7 36.Qxa6+.

34.Nxc5

With a decisive triple attack.

1–0

Maliutin - Reggio, Ostend 1906.

Puzzle 77

White to move

White has an extra pawn; he can play 35.b4, but he found something more crushing, based on
combining two tactical themes. What did he play?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By combining three themes, attraction, the pin and the fork.

35.Rc8!

Gaining a decisive material advantage; the black queen is unable to maintain its protection of the

109
knight, but if 35...Qxc8 then 36.Ne7+.

1–0

Unzicker - Sánchez, Saltsjöbaden Interzonal 1952.

Puzzle 78

White to move

The material is equal, the knight is attacked and the b7-pawn is restrained, but White can win,
thanks to the unfortunate position of the black rook on b5 – how?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: It’s essential to force a black piece onto a square that suits us.

60.Rd6+!

Forcing the black monarch to move to a fatal square; now if 60...Ke8 then 61.Nc7+.

1–0

Bykova - Rudenko, Women’s World Championship, Leningrad 1953.

Puzzle 79

110
 White to move

Black would be happy to exchange his knight for the bishop on d5, but White can play better –
how?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Amidst piece exchanges, you shouldn’t recapture automatically.

36.Bc6!

This intermediate move (also known as a zwischenzug) decides the game. The attacked white
bishop reaches safety, but there’s no way for Black to save the knight.
36.Bxf7+ is also good, but the text move is stronger.

36.Bc6! Qe6

36...Nd5 37.Qc5 is no better.

37.Qxe3 f6 38.Qe4

With the idea of 39.Bd5 or 39.Bg3.

1–0

Bronstein - Sliwa, Gothenburg Interzonal 1955.

111
 Puzzle 80

White to move

White already has an advantage, but here he can greatly increase it – how?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By using the themes of deflection and double attack.

34.Rxg7+!

After 34...Kxg7 35.Qg5+ Kh7 36.Rxc1 the white position is winning; 36...Qxa4 is impossible,
because 37.Rc7+ leads to mate, while after 34...Qxg7 White, two pawns up, wins easily.

1–0

Nepomniachtchi - Nakamura, Speed chess.com 2020.

Puzzle 81

112
 White to move

White can finish off the game quickly – how?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: 51.Rxd7 Qxd7 52.Qxd7+ Kxd7 isn’t in White’s favour, but it’s possible, once again, to force
the opponent to irreparably worsen the placement of his pieces.

51.Qf8+!

After 51...Kc7 White plays 52.Rxd7+ Kxd7 53.Qxg7+.

1–0

Charochkina - Girya, Russian Women’s Championship, chess24.com 2020.

Puzzle 82

113
 White to move

White can win material in a simple manner – how?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Simply by deflecting the piece defending d5.

16.Rxc8! Qxc8 17.Qxd5 Bf6

It’s important that the queen on d5 attacks the e4-knight, which means that in the event of 17...Qc2
White can reply with 18.Bd4, keeping the advantage.

18.Rc1 Qe6 19.Qxe6 fxe6 20.Bxf6 gxf6 21.Nd4 e5 22.Nf5 Kf7 23.f3 Ng5 24.Rc7+

1–0

Nepomniachtchi - Motylev, Razuvaev Memorial, chess.com 2020.

Puzzle 83

114
 White to move

White has an extra pawn, and in theory a long technical task ahead to convert it.
The task can be drastically shortened by taking advantage of a tactical weakness in the black camp
– how?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By exploiting the potential of a piece exerting ‘X-ray’ pressure.

35.Nxc7!

White is able to make use of the hidden power of his bishop, and the possibility of a discovered
check, to win another pawn.
After 35...Bxc7 (if 35...Rc8 then 36.Nb5) 36.d6+ Kf8 37.dxc7 Rc8 White has 38.Re6!, winning
easily, e.g. 38...Ne8 (or 38...Nd7 39.Rc6) 39.Rxh6 Rxc7 40.Rxb6.

1–0

Sakaev - Murzin, Russian Team Championship, Sochi 2020.

Puzzle 84

115
 Black to move

Here there is an overloaded piece; what is it, and how can it be exploited?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: The overloaded piece is the d1-rook.

37...a1=Q!

This deflection is decisive, since it wins the d4-knight; reversing the move order with 37...Qxd4!
38.Rxd4 a1=Q also works.

0–1

Damljanovic - Cabarkapa, Serbian Championship, Vrnjacka Banja 2020.

Puzzle 85

116
 White to move

The knight on b7 is attacked and pinned; nevertheless, White can overcome these difficulties and
gain a winning advantage – how?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Forcing a black piece to occupy a very unfavourable square.

24.Rab1 is insufficient due to 24...Rd7 or 24...Bd5.

24.Bxc6!

The black queen is attracted to a losing square.

24...Qxc6 25.Nxd8

Now the knight attacks the black queen and White gains a decisive material advantage.

25...Rxd8 26.Rfe1 Qxc5 27.h4 Rd3 28.Rad1 Rb3 29.Qd4 Qa5? 30.Rb1

1–0 in 39 moves.

Bjerre - Fecker, Vergani Cup, Villorba 2021.

117
 Show in Text Mode

Puzzles involving an attack on the king

In the next 14 puzzles the main theme is the attack on the king.
Puzzle 86

Black to move

At first sight, White doesn’t seem to have any serious problems, but “appearances can be
deceptive.” How can this be demonstrated?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By attacking a very weak point in the enemy kingside.

28...Qe4!

And there’s no good way to defend g2.

29.Kf1 Qxg2+ 30.Ke2 Rxe3+

0–1

118
 Marshall - Chigorin, Ostend 1906.
Puzzle 87

White to move

Black’s kingside has been weakened, and there are many white pieces in attacking positions. How
can White intensify his attack?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Once again by opening lines, but at great speed.

27.Bxh7+!

This opens the h-file and at the same time allows the white queen to reach the kingside with no loss
of time.

27...Kxh7 28.Bxg7+ Kxg7 29.Qh6+

And the queen has arrived, with lethal effect.

1–0

Duras - Saburov, Ostend 1906.

Puzzle 88

119
 Black to move

The e8-rook is attacked, and furthermore White is threatening to queen his d-pawn. But there’s a
way to defuse both threats – how?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By counterattacking!

36...Re1+!

The continuation would be 37.Rxe1 Rxe1+ 38.Kh2 Qg1+ 39.Kg3 Re3+.

0–1

Perlis - Janowski, Ostend, 1906.

Puzzle 89

120
 White to move

The black king is very weak, but there’s not much material left; how can White make progress?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By bringing more forces into the attack, “at any cost.”

73.d5!

The price paid is a pawn, and in return White gains a strong passed pawn which also helps in the
attack.

73...exd5 74.e6

And either the pawn queens, or the black king perishes.

74...Ra8 75.Nf7+ Kg8 76.Nd6

1–0

Bernstein - Salwe, Ostend, 1906.

Puzzle 90

121
 Black to move

How can Black exploit the limited mobility of the white king?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By asking yourself “what can my opponent reply?”.

38...Ke5!

Preventing Kf4 and now there’s no good defence against 39...Rh3++.

0–1

Ciola - Franco Ocampos, Arco 2009.

Puzzle 91

122
 White to move

Can White exploit his passed pawn?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Yes, thanks to the passed pawn, the remoteness of the a4-bishop from the defence and the
weakness of the black king.

44.Rf7+! Rxf7

After 44...Rg7 the key move to win is 45.Bd4!.

45.Rxf7+ Rg7 46.Bd4!

And the e6-pawn will inevitably queen.

1–0

Salgado - Moreno Ruiz, Spanish Championship, Linares 2020.

Puzzle 92

123
 White to move

There is a strong black pawn on e2 and the white knight on f5 is under pressure, but all of this
matters little when the black monarch is so exposed. How can White prove this?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By ensuring that the queen comes quickly into play.

49.Re8+!

Quicker than 49.Rxd5 e1=Q+ 50.Qxe1 Qxd5 51.Ne7+.

49.Re8+! Rxe8

49...Qxe8 would be answered in the same way.

50.Qg7++

1–0

Edouard - Stefanova, Capechecs Online 2020.

Puzzle 93

124
 White to move

Black has an extra pawn, but often, when the king is exposed, this hardly matters.
How can White strengthen his attack?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By bringing more pieces into the attack.

32.Bg6+!

Clearing the f-file for the white rooks.

If 32...Qxg6 then 33.Rf1+, followed by the capture of the black queen, while 32...Kf8 is answered
with 33.Rf1+, which is equally deadly.

1–0

Le, Quang Liem - Antón Guijarro, Skilling Open chess24.com 2020.

Puzzle 94

125
 White to move

White has more than one way to benefit from his more active pieces. What’s the most immediate
and strongest continuation?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: With one simple move, but by also calculating the following move.

30.Bh7+!

Winning the exchange, obviously, but it’s essential to have foreseen the following intermediate
move, which is key.
30.Ba3 is the other way and also very strong, but it’s necessary to calculate a bit further: after
30...Qf6 (or 30...Qd8 31.Qf5) the manoeuvre 31.Qd7! Qd8 32.Qf5! is decisive, forcing 32...Rxe4,
which is losing after 33.Qxe4.

30.Bh7+! Kxh7 31.Qf5+!

This is the necessary follow-up, preventing the black queen from capturing on d5 (without
exchanging the queens).
Not 31.Rxe8? Qxd5, and suddenly nothing is clear.

31...Kg8 32.Rxe8 Bxd5 33.Qe5 Kh7

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After 33...Qxe5 34.Bxe5 there’s no defence against 35.Bd6.

34.Rxf8

1–0

Tomashevsky - Kobalia, Yuri Razuvaev Memorial, chess.com 2020.

Puzzle 95

White to move

The black queen is a vital defender, but is overloaded. How can this be exploited?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By preparing an invasion by the most powerful piece.

31.Bf6+!

Making room for the queen.

31...Kg8

If 31...Qxf6 then 32.Rxe8+ wins.

32.Qg5+ Kf8 33.Nxe4

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 And “all the pieces are attacking.”

33...Nb4 34.Bg7+ Kf7 35.Qh5+

1–0

Faizrakhmanov - Savitskiy, Russian Team Championship, Sochi 2020.

Puzzle 96

White to move

How can White exploit the exposed position of the black monarch?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: You’ll have noticed that the black king has limited mobility and is also very exposed.

28.Qb4+!

After this precise move it’s all over.

If 28...Ke8 then 29.Qxb8+, while if 28...Kf7 then 29.g6+! and a quick mate; finally, if 29...Ke8 (or
29...Kf6 30.Qxf8++) then 30.Qxb8+, followed by mate.

1–0

Makarian - Truskavetsky, Russian Team Championship, Sochi 2020.

128
 Puzzle 97

Black to move

Both kings are weak, but it’s Black’s move. What should he play?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: “The one who hits first, hits twice.”

45...Qc4+!

Or in this case, one might say “the one who checks first, checks twice.”
If 46.Rb3 then 46...Rb6 wins, as the pinned rook can’t be defended, while if 46.b3 then 46...Rf2+,
followed by mate.

0–1

Peralta - Krysa, Barbera del Valles 2020.

Puzzle 98

129
 White to move

White could play 24.Ne3 with advantage, but he has something better. What is it?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Open lines quickly, “at any price.”

Not with 24.exf5?, due to 24...h5!.

24.Rxf5!

If 24...gxf5 then 25.Qg5+ Kh8 26.Qxf6+ Kg8 27.Rg3++.

1–0

Azarov - Hossain, National Congress, ICC 2020.

Puzzle 99

130
 Black to move

Once again there is an overloaded defensive piece – the white queen. How can this be exploited?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By deflecting it from a vital square.

28...Rd3!

And it’s all over; if 29.Qxd3 then 29...Qf2++.

0–1

Tsirulnik - Hrebenshchykova, Ukrainian Women’s Championship, Kherson 2020.

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 Show in Text Mode

Puzzles involving defence

In the next 10 puzzles you are tasked with defending your position.
Puzzle 100

White to move

White makes one last try.

63.a6

How should Black defend?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Take into account the colours of the queening squares of the a-pawn and h-pawn.

63...Kc7!

63...Kc6 is the same, but not 63...Bxa6? 64.Kxg6 Ke6 65.h5 Bd3+ 66.Kh6! and White’s pawns
win; he will play g5–g6 and then Kg5, followed by h6–h7.

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 64.h5

64.Kxg6 Bxg4 is similar.

64...gxh5 65.gxh5 Bxh5!

The key idea; White has the “wrong” bishop and it’s a draw.

66.Kxh5 b2 67.Bxb2 Kb6

½–½
Stahlberg - Najdorf, Candidates Tournament, Budapest 1950.
Puzzle 101

Black to move

White is threatening to capture on c7 and make a draw (other things being equal, rook and bishop
against rook is a draw). How can this be prevented?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: It’s essential to “play two move in a row” to set up a necessary defence.

53...Re3+!

Thanks to this check, which allows the rook to come to the defence of the vital c7-pawn, Black is

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able to avoid the theoretically drawn ending of rook and bishop against rook.

54.Kd2 Re7

The next moves will be 55...Kb4 and 55...Bb6, followed by capturing the white pawns with the
king, or with the help of the rook if White plays 55.Ra6.

0–1

Olafsson - Benko, Candidates Tournament, Yugoslavia 1959.

Puzzle 102

Black to move

How to defend against the threat of mate on g7?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By neutralising the pawn on f6, one way or another.

24...Qxe3+!

Capturing a piece “for nothing” with check is almost always good, but here it’s good for another
reason.

25.Kh1

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 The threat persists, but now, with the black queen on e3, the g5-pawn is pinned, which allows...

25...Bxf6!

And White can’t recapture on f6 with the pawn.

26.Rxf6

With this move White’s attack comes to an end, but after the alternative 26.Rf3 Bxg5 27.Rxe3
Bxh6 28.Rexc3 Bg7, White, three pawns down now, would experience a slow death.
Black now won quickly.
Guadamuro - Terán, Spanish Championship, Linares 2020.
Puzzle 103

Black to move

White is a piece up for just one pawn, but Black can equalise by taking advantage of the placement
of the white pieces – how?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: The way to defend is, curiously, to force White onto the defensive.

42...Re1+!

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 As we shall see, the white king has no satisfactory way to escape harassment by the black rook, for
two reasons: the e4-knight must be defended and the rook on f5 is loose.

43.Kd4

43.Kf4?? even loses to 43...Rf1+.

43...Nc6+ 44.Kd3

44.Kd5? loses to 44...Ne7+, once again exploiting the situation of the rook on f5.

44...Nb4+!

44...Ne5+? would allow 45.Rxe5.

45.Kd4 Nc6+ 46.Kd3

½–½
Ortega Ruiz - Tejedor, Spanish Championship, Linares 2020.
Puzzle 104

Black to move

Black has an extra pawn, but needs to deal with the threat of 36.Qf7+; how would you defend
Black’s position?

Show/Hide Solution

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 Hint: By counterattacking!

35...Qf2!

The queen goes to f2, preparing Black’s next move and taking advantage of White’s weak back
rank.
This is stronger than 35...Qf6 36.Rg1 (36.Rc1 Qe5! is worse) 36...b5 37.h3, when Black is better,
but the white rook can become active and it’s still a fight.

35...Qf2! 36.Rg1

Naturally 36.Rxf2 Re1+ loses.

And now?

36...Re1!

Winning, although before playing this Black needed to make sure that White can’t give perpetual
check.

37.Qd8+ Kg7 38.Qd7+ Kh6 39.Qh3+ Kg5

And the annoying checks run out.

40.Qg3+ Qxg3 41.hxg3 Rxg1+ 42.Kxg1 Kg4

0–1

Swiercz - Robson, USA Championship, lichess.org 2020.

Puzzle 105

137
 White to move

How to defend against the threat of 57...Rh1++.

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: If possible, try to simplify the task; if something is clearly winning, it’s better to play it and
avoid complications.

57.Qg7!

Not the only move, but definitely the most attractive and the simplest; the white king will gain
access to the g-file and White will have another queen very soon.
The black king doesn’t arrive in time to prevent one of the pawns from queening after 57...R8xg7
58.hxg7 Kd7 59.f7.
On the other hand, despite gaining two pawns on the seventh rank, 57.Qe6+ Kc7 58.Qxg8? doesn’t
win, e.g. 58...Rxg8 59.h7 Rd8 60.Kg6 Kd6 and here the king does indeed arrive in time to defend:
after 61.Kg7 Ke6 Black has the white pawns safely under control.

1–0

Wojtaszek - Andersen, Bundesliga, Karlsruhe 2020.

Puzzle 106

138
 White to move

How should White recapture on c3?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: It’s essential always to ask yourself: “what can my opponent do in reply?”.

49.bxc3!

The only way to prevent mate; taking with the queen allows immediate mate and 49.Rxc3?? loses to
49...Qa2+ 50.Kc1 Qa1++.

49.bxc3! Qb3+ 50.Ka1!

Not 50.Qb2?? in view of 50...d2!, winning, since if 51.Qxb3 then dxc1=Q+.

50...Qa4+

“Offering” the possibility of 51.Kb2, to which the response would be 51...Qa2++.

51.Kb1 Qb3+ 52.Ka1 Qa3+ 53.Kb1

½–½
Burke - Krykun, Chesterfield 2020.
Puzzle 107

139
 Black to move

How best to recapture on g6?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Here too, a piece of advice that should be familiar to you is applicable: don’t forget to ask
yourself, every single time: “what can my opponent do in reply?”.

36...Kxg6??

It was necessary to play 36...fxg6!, and White has nothing more than a draw, because his rook is
unable to join in the attack in time, e.g. 37.Qf8+ Kh7 38.Qe7+ Kh6 (38...Kh8 also works: 39.Rf8+
Bg8 40.Qf6+ Kh7) 39.Qf8+ Kh7.

36...Kxg6?? 37.Qg8+

In contrast, now the rook is able to participate decisively in the attack: 37...Kh6 38.Rf6++.

1–0

Polivanov - Buksa, Ukrainian Championship, Kremenchug 2020.

Puzzle 108

140
 White to move

The e5-knight is attacked and the rook on d7 needs its support; how can White defend?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By neutralising the pressure exerted by the black queen.

32.Qd3!

After this counterattack, the black queen is unable to maintain the pressure on the rook.

32...Qxd3

Forced, because the black knight was also threatened.

33.Nxd3 Rd8?!

Exchanging rooks favours White; 33...Nb6 was more tenacious, but...“a pawn is a pawn.”

34.Rxd8+ Bxd8 35.Nf4 Nxf4 36.Bxf4

And White won the endgame in 60 moves.

Rozentalis - Brazdzionis, Lithuanian Championship, Vilna 2020.
Puzzle 109

141
 Black to move

Black is a piece up, but is faced with the threat of mate. How should he defend?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Once again you have to “play two moves running.”

39...Qb1+!

Thanks to this check the queen arrives in time to defend the h8-square.

40.Kh2 Qh7 41.Qe5

White can no longer create any serious threats, so Black only needs to regroup in order then to
realise his material advantage.

41...Be6 42.f4 h5 43.Ba1 Qh6 44.f5 Bd7 45.Kh1 Bxf5!

And in view of 46.Qxf5 Qc1+ 47.Kh2 Qxa1, White resigned.

0–1

Milliet - Narciso, Barcelona 2020.

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 Show in Text Mode

Puzzles based on removing the guard

In the next 6 exercises the theme is “removing the guard.”
Puzzle 110

White to move

The pawn on d7 paralyses Black and guarantees victory, sooner or later.

For now Black seems to have the d-pawn under control, but there’s a way to speed up the win.
What is it?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Which is Black’s most vulnerable piece?

One that can be attacked more times than it can be defended.

33.Qd6!

And nothing can come to the defence of the black rook.

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 1–0

Nedeljkovic - Alexandria, Women’s Candidates Tournament, Sujumi 1964.

Puzzle 111

White to move

Black is a pawn down, but has active pieces which could provide compensation, were it not for one
important detail.
How can White gain a decisive material advantage?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By disrupting the harmony of the black pieces.

30.d5!

Removing the support of the black knight and winning material.

30...Rxe2 31.Nxe2 Bxd5 32.Nf4 Nb6 33.Rb1!

1–0

Quispe - Gómez Sanjuán, Spanish Championship, Linares 2020.

Puzzle 112

144
 Black to move

Black is a pawn down but has a way to gain a clear advantage – how?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By eliminating a vital defender.

15...Rxe3!

The defender of the d2-knight is eliminated and Black wins material.

16.fxe3 Rxd2

Black has gained a winning advantage; his pieces are very active and White’s pawn structure is
weak.

17.e4 h5!

Not just creating an escape hole for the king, but also helping a later attack with ...h4.

18.h3 Bd7 19.Qc4 Qe8

Heading for e5 and with a threat that White overlooks.

20.Rae1 Bb5 21.Qb3 Bb6+ 22.Kh2 Bxf1 23.Rxf1 Qe5 24.Rf3 h4

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 0–1

Corrales, Z - Pérez Rodríguez, L, New World Chess, lichess.org 2020.

Puzzle 113

White to move

White wins, thanks to a combination based on removing the guard – how?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By targeting the black king; there’s one square which is especially weak.

20.Qh3+!

The first step in the attack; the queen aims at h7 and clears the f-file.
The engines give the line 20.Bf4 Nc6 21.Bd6, which also wins, e.g. 21...Qxd6 and only now
22.Qh3+ Kg8 23.Rxf6, but it’s rather “unhuman”, don’t you think?

20.Qh3+! Kg8 21.Rxf6!

And this is the second step, removing the guard of the h7-square.
The continuation would be 21...gxf6 22.Qh7+ Kf8 23.Qh8++.

1–0

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 Fedoseev - Sharikov, New World Chess, lichess.org 2020.
Puzzle 114

Black to move

For the moment White has the black a-pawn under control. How did Black manage to clear away
the obstacles?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By obstructing a vital defender.

46...d4!

And the bishop no longer controls a1.

0–1

Halvax - Reuker, Bundesliga, Karlsruhe 2020.

Puzzle 115

147
 Black to move

For now White is preventing Black from penetrating his position. How did Black manage to change
the scenario?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Even in the endgame, activity can be more important than material.

58...Rb3+!

This enables Black to penetrate with his king and win.

After 59.Bxb3 cxb3 60.Kb2 Kc4 White is in zugzwang; ...Kxc3 will follow, and a black pawn will
quickly queen.

0–1

Bischoff - Van Foreest, L, Bundesliga, Karlsruhe 2020.

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 Show in Text Mode

Puzzles combining attack and defence

In the next five examples attack and defence are combined.
Puzzle 116

Black to move

White has just played 28.Nd6, attacking f7. There is more than one winning move here. Which is
the strongest?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: For this you should think about both defence and attack.

28...Qh5+!

Black will win the d1-rook with check.

But not 28...Rf8? in view of 29.Nxe6+! Qxe6 30.Qxe6 fxe6 31.Nxe4, with equality.

28...Qh5+! 29.Kg1 Qxd1+

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 And now the d4-knight also falls with check, as 30.Kh2 allows mate.

0–1

Rubinstein - Janowski, Ostend 1906.

Puzzle 117

Black to move

White is threatening to capture the rook, as well as to queen the c-pawn. How can Black deal with
both threats?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: “Attack is the best form of defence.”

47...Rf1!

Threatening 48...Rxg1+ 49.Kxg1 Qe1++, which stops both White’s threats.

After 48.Qa7 Rxg1+ 49.Qxg1 Qc4 the c7-pawn is lost and Black will win with the extra piece.

0–1

Bishard - Bykova, Moscow vs. Leningrad, Moscow 1965.

Puzzle 118

150
 White to move

The position appears unpleasant for White; the black pieces are active, unlike White’s, apart from
the bishop, which lacks support.
What should White play?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By demonstrating that a superficial assessment can be deceptive. You need to try to link up
with the active piece.

41.Qh4!

And there’s no good defence against White’s attack on the dark squares.
If 41...Qxe2 then White wins with 42.Qd8+ Kf7 43.Qc7+ Ke8 44.Qxc6+, eliminating the piece
which is supporting the mate threat on g2, 44...Ke7 45.Bd6+ Kf6 46.Qe8 and now the black king
can’t escape the various threats (47.Qe7++, 47.Qf8++ and 47.Be5+), e.g. 46...g5 47.Qf8+ Kg6
48.Qg8+ and mate next.
Passive defence with 41...Ra8 loses to 42.Qf6 Qb7 43.Qh8+ Kf7 44.Qxh7+ Ke8 45.Qg8+ Ke7
46.Bf6+! Kd7 47.Qxe6+ Kc7 48.Rc2, when White is two pawns up with a winning attack.
This is another case where the bishops of opposite colour favour the attacker, in combination with
the great weakness of the black king, naturally.

1–0

151
 Heinemann - Rudolf, Bundesliga, Karlsruhe 2020.
Puzzle 119

Black to move

Black’s rook and c4-pawn are both threatened and White is also threatening 37.b7. How should
Black respond?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By utilising the favourable elements in our position, and one in particular.

36...c3!

And it turns out that the c3-pawn is stronger than the one on b6.
If 37.Nxc8 then 37...c2 38.Rf1 Kxc8, winning.
37.b7 Rb8 38.Rb3 c2 39.Rxd3 c1=Q achieves nothing, as the black queen is out of range of any
discovered checks and White is unable to create any mating threats.
It’s worth noting that a decisive factor here is that Black’s monarch is taking part in the struggle,
unlike White’s.

0–1

Coenen - Kozul, Bundesliga, Karlsruhe 2020.

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 Puzzle 120

White to move

White is more active and his king is safer than Black’s; is this enough for an advantage? What
would you play?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: What’s Black’s greatest tactical weakness?

32.Qc3!

Exploiting the weakness of the black king with a move of tremendous force.
The threat of 33.Qh8++ wins two pawns, e.g. 32...Re7 33.Qh8+ Kf7 34.Qxh7+ Kf8 35.Qxg6 Rxe3
36.Qh6+ Kg8 37.Qxe3.
32...Kg8 also loses after 33.Re8+ Rf8 34.Rxf8+ Kxf8 35.Qh8+ Ke7 36.Qxh7+ Kd8 37.Qxg6,
followed by 38.h4.

1–0

Checa - Beerdsen, Vergani Cup, Villorba 2021.

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 Show in Text Mode

Endgame puzzles
The next 5 exercises involve endings of various types.
Puzzle 121

White to move

White has an extra pawn, but we already know that this is often not enough to win. How can White
disprove the saying that all rook endings are drawn?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By getting the most out of having rooks doubled on the seventh rank.

35.e6!

With this advance White expands the scope of the rooks. White threatens to play 36.e7 as well as to
capture on f7.
This is more crushing than the continuation 35.f4 Re8 36.Rc6 g5 37.Rd4, which is also good.

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 35.e6! fxe6 36.Rg7+!

In order to capture on h7 with a gain of tempo, since it will be with check if the king retreats to h8.

36...Kf8 37.Rxh7

Now there is a threat of mate.

37...Kg8 38.Rcg7+ Kf8 39.Rxg6 Rd8 40.Rh8+!

The simplest; the following exchange suppresses all resistance.

From the practical point of view this is better than 40.Rxe6 Rd1+ 41.Kg2 Rd2, although this also
wins.

40...Kf7 41.Rxd8 Kxg6 42.Rd6

1–0

Menchik- Thomas, Ramsgate, 1929.

Puzzle 122

White to move

Contrary to appearances, the material here is equal, but of course, with such a bad bishop on a8,
Black stands worse.
This puzzle has no tactical solution; it’s a question of finding a plan. What would you play here for
White?

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 Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By making use of White’s advantages, one of which should be obvious.

31.g4!

It’s White’s kingside pawn majority.The idea is to create two connected passed pawns on e5 and f5;
the knight can remain on b5, because the c6-pawn is pinned.

31...a6 32.Nd4 Rdc7 33.f5

Just in time; these two pawns will break down all resistance in the long run.

33...g5

Trying to keep the position closed.

34.Kg3 Bb7

34...c5 doesn’t threaten the knight and it also loses a pawn after 35.Ne6 Rc6 36.bxc5.

35.h4! gxh4+ 36.Kxh4 Kf7 37.Kh5 a5 38.bxa5 bxa5 39.Nb5! Rd7

39...cxb5 40.Rxc7+ and 39...Re7 40.Nd6+ also lose.

40.e6+

1–0

Menchik - Becker, Karlovy Vary 1929.

Puzzle 123

156
 Black to move

The rook and the pawn are both attacked; what to play?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: You know the rule of the square, don’t you?

66...Rxc5+!

Of course, the black pawn is now out of reach of the white king and is much faster than White’s
pawn.
66...Rxc2? 67.Nxe4 is a draw.

66...Rxc5+! 67.Kxc5 e3 68.c4 e2 69.Kc6 e1=Q

And White played on pointlessly for a few more moves.

Rinder - Nedeljkovic, Women’s Candidates Tournament, Plovdiv 1959.
Puzzle 124

157
 Black to move

There are several winning moves; what would you choose?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: One of the fundamental rules of the endgame is “don’t rush.”

76...Rc6!

This is one of the moves that wins, maintaining for now the defence of the f6-pawn , and preparing
to block the checks of the white rook with her own rook.
There are other ways to win, but not the hasty 76...a1=Q?? in view of 77.Rxa1 Rxa1 78.Kxf6 Kc4
79.Ke6!; the king goes to this square to prevent the black monarch from approaching; then the f-pawn
costs the rook, e.g. 79...Re1+ 80.Kd6 Rf1 81.Ke6 Kc5 82.f6 Kc6 83.f7 Re1+ 84.Kf6, with a draw.
76...Kc2 also works: 77.Re2+ Kd3 78.Rxa2 Rxa2 79.Kxf6 Ke4 and this time the king is able to
approach and Black wins, e.g. after 80.Kg6 Rg2+ 81.Kf6 Rf2.

76...Rc6! 77.Re3+ Kc2

After 78.Re2+ Kb1 79.Re1+ Black wins with 79...Rc1.

0–1

Kushnir - Gaprindashvili, Women’s World Championship match, Riga (7), 1965.

158
 Puzzle 125

White to move

White must decide whether to exchange the pawns or play 53.h4; which is correct?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: It’s essential to learn basic pawn endgames really well. Are you familiar with the concept of
“the opposition”?

53.h4!

And White keeps the opposition.

In contrast, after 53.hxg4? hxg4 White loses the opposition and the game since 54.Kf2 allows the
black king to penetrate with 54...Kd3, reaching a theoretical ending which is winning for Black:
55.Kg2 Ke3 56.Kg1 Kf3 57.Kh2 Kf2 58.Kh1 Kxg3.
53.Kf2? also loses, not because of 53...gxh3 though, as 54.Kg1 is just a draw - the two h-pawns are
useless.
But there’s no need for Black to take on h3; instead he should play in the same way as after
53.gxh4?, i.e. after 53.Kf2? the black king should gradually infiltrate with 53...Kd3! 54.Kg2 Ke3
55.Kg1 Kf3 56.Kh2 Kf2, when both 57.h4 Kf3 and 57.hxg4 hxg4 lead to a lost position for White.

53.h4! Kd4 54.Kd2

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Maintaining the opposition; the black king is unable to penetrate and White draws.
½–½
Hernández Ramos - Alfonso Pellisa, Spanish Championship, Linares 2020.

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 Show in Text Mode

Puzzles based on a tactical weakness

The main theme of the final 15 puzzles in this chapter is that of “tactical weakness.” Your task is to
investigate which is the most important tactical weakness in the position and discover how to exploit
it.
Puzzle 126

White to move

There is a tactical weakness in Black’s position. How can White take advantage of it?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: It’s the bishop on g4, which is loose; do you recall a similar previous exercise?

9.Bxh7+!

And White wins a pawn.

9...Kxh7 10.Ng5+ Kg8 11.Qxg4 Qc8 12.Qh5 Qf5 13.g4! Qg6 14.Qxg6

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And White won the ending.
Suechting - Chigorin, Ostend 1906.
Puzzle 127

White to move

White dominates the e-file; how can White exploit this?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By “manufacturing” a fatal tactical weakness in the black camp.

22.Bb8!

The weakness created is the weak back rank, and it has no solution; the threat is 23.Re8+.
If 22...Rxb8 then 23.Qxb8! and 24.Re8+.

1–0

Cohn - Oskam, Ostend 1906.

Puzzle 128

162
 Black to move

White has played g4 to open the g-file, in search of an attack, but there’s a way to show that this is
too optimistic. What did Black play?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Let’s see how well your ‘radar’ is working. What clear tactical weakness has arisen?

15...d4!

It’s the placement of the queen on f3 and the rook on h1 along the same diagonal, which can be
exploited in this way.
We should note the importance of the pawn on f5, which prevents Ne4.

16.Ne2 Bc6 17.Qh3 Bxh1 18.Rxh1 Qd5

White is unable to create anything serious to compensate his material disadvantage.

19.Rg1 Rac8 20.gxf5

20.Kb1 Nxd3 21.Qxd3 Qc4 was also insufficient.

20...Nxd3+ 21.Qxd3 exf5

And Black won quickly.

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Spielmann - Znosko-Borovsky, Ostend 1906.
Puzzle 129

White to move

One of the black pieces is a serious tactical weakness. How can White exploit it?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: In this case it’s the black queen.

41.Rxf7!

White exploits the tactical weakness in devastating fashion. Now if 41...Kxf7 then 42.Ne5+.

1–0

Blackburne - Marco, Ostend 1906.

Puzzle 130

164
 White to move

There is a clear tactical weakness in the black position. How can White exploit it?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: It’s a piece which is trapped and unprotected.

51.Qd8!

This was easy, wasn’t it?

1–0

Bernstein - Teichmann, Ostend 1906.

Puzzle 131

165
 Black to move

Black played:

20...g6?

...which proved to be very optimistic. The more cautious 20...Ka8 was preferable.

20...g6?

What’s the drawback of Black’s move? How did White respond?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: White took away the support from a black piece.

21.Rxf6!

And due to the placement of the black monarch, which is at the mercy of the ‘X-ray’ pressure
emanating from the queen on g3, White wins material.
Puzzle 132

166
 Black to move

White has the more active pieces. We can see the inactive rook on a8, which normally would be a
disadvantage, yet there’s another factor, one which is more important and which allows Black to gain
a material advantage.
What should Black play?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Compare each side’s back rank.

21...e5! 22.g3

22.dxe5 loses to 22...Rd1+, while 22.Rd1 exd4 23.Nxd4 leaves the knight hopelessly pinned and
Black wins with e.g. 23...b5 24.Rb4 a5.

22...exd4

With an extra pawn, which Black converted.

Saguier - Wexler, Asunción 1960.
Puzzle 133

167
 White to move

How can White exploit a tactical weakness in Black’s position, one that is rather hidden?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: In this case the tactical weakness is the black queen, which is loose.

26.Nxe5!

White wins a centre pawn and the game.

26...Qd8

If 26...dxe5 then 27.Qg4 with a double attack, threatening mate on g7 and winning the queen with
28.Nh6+. There’s no good defence.

27.Nc6 Bxc6 28.Rxc6

And the active white pieces win more material; the threat is 29.Rxc8 Qxc8 30.Ne7+, as well as
30.Bxb6.
So if 28...Bxe3 White can play 29.Rxc8 winning a piece.

1–0

Gligoric - Letelier, Asunción 1960.

168
 Puzzle 134

White to move

White is able to take advantage of an obvious tactical weakness in Black’s position – how?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: It’s the weak back rank once again.

16.Nxd5!

Now 16...Rxc1+ 17.Rxc1 Nxd5 (or 17...exd5) 18.Rc8+ Bf8 loses to 19.Bd6.

16...Nc6 17.Nxb6

Winning more material.

17...Nd5 18.Nxg6 hxg6 19.Nxa8 Rxa8 20.Bxc6 bxc6 21.Rxc6 Bf6 22.Be5

1–0

Szabo - Rivarola, Asunción 1960.

Puzzle 135

169
 White to move

A tactical weakness in Black’s camp can be violently exploited – how?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: The tactical weakness here is obviously the weak back rank.

18.Qxf7+!

And the game is already over.

18...Rxf7 19.Re8++

1–0

Kokkila - Kauranen, Finnish Team Championship 2020.

Puzzle 136

170
 White to move

White has an extra pawn and Black has an important tactical weakness. How can White
immediately decide the outcome of the game?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Look for a way to simplify.

32.Rxd5!

The tactical weakness was the situation of the rook and the monarch in range of a knight fork.
If 32...Rxd5 there follows 33.Nf6+ Kf7 34.Nxd5, with an easily won ending.

1–0

Radjabov - Nepomniachtchi, Airthings Masters, chess24.com 2020.

Puzzle 137

171
 Black to move

Black has an extra pawn, but instead of converting this in an ending he can exploit a tactical
weakness in White’s position to gain a winning advantage much more quickly – how?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: It’s the same theme as in the previous puzzle.

21...Qxb1+!

Once again a knight fork is the decisive element.

22.Qxb1 Nxc3+ 23.Kc2 Nxb1 24.Kxb1 g5 25.Bf2 Nb3 26.Bxf5 Nd2+ 27.Kc1 Ne4 28.Be1 Re5
29.Bg4 Rf8

And Black won easily.

Donado - Martín Duque, Spanish Championship, Linares 2020.
Puzzle 138

172
 White to move

The rook on a7 is attacked, but there are important tactical weaknesses that White is able to exploit
– how?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: The most important tactical weakness is the situation of the king, but there’s another one as
well.

45.e5!

The other weakness is that the Black’s king and queen are in range of a knight fork.
Counterattack with 45...Qb8 can be answered simply with 46.Rxa8 Qxa8 47.exd6.

1–0

Bronstein, Or - Dvoirys, Ramat Gan 2020.

Puzzle 139

173
 White to move

Black has an extra pawn, but there’s very little material left on the board, so White has good
chances of holding the ending by careful defence.
What would you choose here: 58.Ne3 or 58.Nh6?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Before you move, think: “what can my opponent do in reply?”.

58.Ne3?

It was necessary to play 58.Nh6!, with very good chances of defence; 58...Kf4 is not a problem due
to 59.Nxf7.

58.Ne3? Kf4!

And suddenly the e5-rook is an irreparable tactical weakness; there’s no way to defend it.

0–1

Damljanovic - Markus, Serbian Championship, Vrnjacka Banja 2020.

Puzzle 140

174
 Black to move

White has compensation for his missing pawn, thanks to his active pieces, but Black doesn’t stand
badly. Here he should have played 19...b4! 20.Qf3 Nc7, with a decent position, but instead he chose:

19...Rc8?

This leaves Black with a decisive tactical weakness. How can White exploit this?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: With one move that contains two threats at the same time.

20.Nc6!

Attacking the queen and threatening a fork on e7.

20...Rxc6

Or 20...b4 21.Ne7+ Qxe7 22.Qxc8 Qxe1 23.Qxf8+.

21.Qxc6 Nc7 22.Qc5

Black’s pieces are very passive; there’s no compensation for the deficit in material.

22...d4 23.Qxd4 Qa8+ 24.Qe4 Qa6 25.Rd7 Qb6 26.Rc1 Ne6 27.Rc6

175
1–0

Indjic - Todorovic, Serbian Championship, Vrnjacka Banja 2020.

176
 Show in Text Mode

Chapter 3
Intermediate level puzzles

Find the checkmate

We begin this chapter as in the previous one; here the 18 puzzles are rather more complicated, but I
trust that the training you’ve already acquired will mean that they won’t be too difficult for you.
If you struggle with them, don’t be discouraged. Keep going, and don’t forget that your task is to
practise and learn.
If you could find almost all the solutions you wouldn’t need this book!
Puzzle 141

Black to move

The material is equal, but the position isn’t. What would you play here?

Show/Hide Solution

177
 Hint: Try to exploit the remoteness of the white pieces to quickly create a mating net.

31...Qf4+!

First of all Black forces a fatal weakness in the white camp.

32.g3

32.Kg1 is unplayable due to 32...Rd1++.

32...Qf3

With the threat of 33...Rd1.

33.Rd8 Rc3!

And now there’s no good defence against 34...Rc1.

0–1

Marco - Schlechter, Ostend 1906.

Puzzle 142

White to move

White has certain positional advantages, such as his strong pair of bishops and his passed d-pawn,
but instead of a technical win he can achieve victory in another, tactical, way – how?

178
 Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By focusing on the weakness of the black king, which can be quickly exploited.

29.Qxe4!

This is the way, by means of a brilliant queen sacrifice.

29...fxe4 30.d6+ Kh7 31.Rxf8

White has gained only a rook and a bishop for the queen, but he can win by attack, aided by the fact
that Black’s queen and bishop are both inactive.

31...Qg4

Faced with the threat of 32.Bg8+ Kh8 33.Bf7+, the black queen must move, but it can only go to a
light square, which is in White’s favour, as we shall see.
If 31...Qh5 then White plays 32.Bg8+ and wins the queen, either with a discovered check after
32...Kh8 33.Bf7+ or a skewer after 32...Kg6 33.Bf7+.

32.Bg8+! Kg6

If 32...Kh8 then 33.Be6+ wins.

33.Bf7+ Kh7

Or 33...Kf5 34.Bh5+.

34.h5!

And now there’s no good defence against 35.Bg6+.

1–0

Janowski - Salwe, Ostend 1906.

Puzzle 143

179
 White to move

A few moves ago White had sacrificed a piece to gain a strong attack, which should win. What’s
the final key move now?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: “The threat is stronger than the execution.”

29.Qf6!

Now there’s no good defence against 30.h6.

In contrast, 29.h6? Ne8!, controlling f6, would be premature.

29.Qf6! Nc8 30.h6 Ne7 31.Rd2

1–0

Kotov - Barcza, Saltsjöbaden Interzonal 1952.

Puzzle 144

180
 White to move

Simply 23.Bd1 is good, followed by Qf4, but there’s something much stronger.
What did the then World Women’s Champion play?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By clearing the way for the rapid inclusion of a key piece in the attack.

23.Bg7!

With the threat of 24.Qh6.

23...Bf8 24.Bxf8 Kxf8

24...Rxf8 allows mate after 25.Qh6.

25.Rxh7

With the idea of 26.Rh8+ Ke7 27.Qg5+, followed by mate.

25...Bb5 26.Ng5! Qe7

26...axb3 allows mate after 27.Rxf7+ Kg8 28.Qh3, while 26...Rc7 loses to, among other things,
27.Qf4, e.g. 27...axb3 28.Rh8+ Kg7 29.Nxe6+, followed by Qh6+ and mate.

181
 27.Rh8+ Kg7 28.Nxe6+!

This is the most attractive and quickest way; 29.Qh6+ and mate will follow.

1–0

Gaprindashvili, N - Idelchik, Russian Team Championship, Moscow 1964.

Puzzle 145

Black to move

What to do about the rook trapped on g2?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Pry open the defences of the white king with decisive effect.

34...Rxh2+!

After 35.Kxh2 fxg3+ 36.Kg2 Black can win the queen with 36...gxf2+ 37.Kxf2 Rf8+, but faster is
36...Qh4 37.f4 Qh2+ 38.Kf3 g2 39.Qg1 Qg3+ 40.Ke2 Re8+.

0–1

Bernabéu López - Franco Ocampos, Roquetas de Mar 2019.

Puzzle 146

182
 Black to move

The white king isn’t very secure; how can this be exploited?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: With a typical combination on the dark squares.

22...Ng3+!

22...Bxd3 23.Rxd3 Ng3+! also works.

22...Ng3+! 23.Kg1

White can’t play 23.hxg3? due to 23...Qh6+ 24.Kg1 fxg3 and now it’s necessary to play 25.Rf2, as
25.Re1 allows mate after 25...Qh2+ 26.Kf1 Qh1+ 27.Ke2 Qxg2+ 28.Ke3 Qf2++.

23...Nxf1

Black’s material advantage is winning.

24.Bxf5 Qxf5 25.Qxf1 e4 26.Bc3 exf3

0–1

Nepomniachtchi - Nakamura, Speed 2019, chess.com 2020.

183
 Puzzle 147

White to move

White has an extra pawn, but must deal with the threat of 30...Bxd4+ – how?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By exploiting the overload on the black queen and the weakness of the black king.

30.Rxf6! gxf6?

30...Qxf6? fails to 31.Qxc8+, but now Black gets mated.

30...e3 offered better practical chances, for instance 31.Rxa6? loses to 31...Rc1++, while although
31.Bxe3 gxf6 32.Qg4+ Kh8 33.h3 is better for White, the struggle continues.
The best reply is 31.Rf1!, and after 31...e2 32.Re1 gxh6 33.Qg4+ Kf8 34.Qxe2 White should win
with his three extra pawns.

31.Qd7!

1–0

Nakamura - So, Speed 2019, chess.com 2020.

Puzzle 148

184
 White to move

Black is attacking the bishop and offering an exchange of queens, which would be disadvantageous
for White. How to respond?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By taking advantage of the strength of his pawn on f6 to open a decisive breach on the
kingside.

28.Bxg6+!

White exploits the weakness of the black king, combined with a decisive tactical weakness, the
loose bishop on c5.

28...Kxg6?

This allows mate; it was better to play 28...fxg6, but this also loses to 29.Qxc7+ Rd7 30.Qxc5
Qc1+ 31.Kh2 Qf4+ 32.g3 Qxf6 reaching an ending with two extra pawns for White.

185
 White to move

Did you see how to continue?

29.h5+!

Taking the black king “out for a walk.”

29...Kxh5 30.Qf5+

Here 30.Re5+ Kg6 31.Qf5++ was mate, but the text move also wins.

30...Qg5 31.Qxg5+ Kxg5 32.Rxd8

And White won without any difficulties.

Domínguez Pérez - Mihajlov, Banter Blitz Cup, chess24.com 2020.
Puzzle 149

186
 White to move

White played 34.Kh2?

There was a much better continuation; what was it?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: White has all three major pieces active and the black kingside is weakened; even so, it’s
remarkable that White has such a devastating blow.
What he should have played was:

34.Rxf7!

White sacrifices a rook, but his two remaining pieces are sufficient to give mate.

34...Rxf7

It’s no surprise that here too “taking the king for a walk” leads to mate: 34...Kxf7 35.Rb7+ Ke6 (or
35...Qe7 36.Qd5+ Kf6 37.Qg5+) 36.Rb6+ Kf5 37.Qd5+ Qe5 38.Qd7+ Kf4 39.g3+ Ke4 40.Rb4+
and mate.

35.Rb8+ Rf8 36.Qd5+! Kg7 37.Rb7+ Kh8

Or 37...Kh6 38.Qg5++.

187
 38.Qd4+

And mate follows.

Heinemann - Bastian, German Championship, Magdeburg 2020.
Puzzle 150

White to move

Black’s king in the centre, with so many open lines, doesn’t bode well if White plays accurately.
What would you play?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By opening lines against the weak black king, “one way or another.”

36.Rxd7!

Not only eliminating a defender for a relatively small investment of material, but also clearing lines
for a decisive invasion.
36.Bxe6 Bxe6 37.Nc5 is another strong continuation indicated by the engines but the move played
is more ‘human’, i.e., it’s more direct, more understandable and gives Black fewer options.

36.Rxd7! Nxd7

36...Qxd7 37.Rxd7 Nxd7 38.Bb5 is no better, either materially or positionally.

188
 37.Bd4

And the threat of 38.Qxe6+ wins the queen.

1–0

Vallejo Pons - Jakubowski, Bundesliga, Karlsruhe 2020.

Puzzle 151

White to move

White’s attack has struck first. How did he continue?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: With a deadly double attack.

Not with 30.Rf2?, as after 30...Rfd7 White can make no progress.

30.Nf5!

White exploits the pin on the e6-pawn, and now there’s no good defence against the threats of
31.Rxd8+ and 31.Nh6+.

30...Rdd7

30...Rxd2 also fails to 31.Nh6+.

189
 31.Nh6+ Kf8 32.Nxf7

Black has no compensation for the exchange and his king remains weak; White won easily.
Schmidek - Lagarde, Bundesliga, Karlsruhe 2020.
Puzzle 152

Black to move

White is a piece up, but with his king so weak and with Black’s bishops aimed at the queenside,
this is scarcely relevant. What’s the quickest way for Black to win?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: There’s a line leading to a forced mate.

32...Ba2+! 33.Ka1

Or 33.Nxa2 Qb2++.

33...Bxc3+ 34.Nxc3 Qxc3+

The continuation would be 35.Kxa2 Qxc2+ and 36...Rxa4++.

0–1

Antón Guijarro - Firouzja, Skilling Open, chess24.com 2020.

190
 Puzzle 153

White to move

White managed to combine several tactical themes and win – how?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: With one single move White exploits three tactical weaknesses: the vulnerability of Black’s
queen and the king to a knight fork, the overloaded f6-knight and the unprotected e7-bishop.

20.Nd5!

Threatening mate with Nxf6+.

20...Ng6

20...Nxd5 loses to 21.Qxh7++ and 20...Qxc2 to 21.Nxe7+.

191
Now comes a beautiful finish – can you find it?

21.Qxg6!

Once again threatening Nxf6+ and mate; White wins a piece after 21...hxg6 22.Nxe7+.

1–0

Galliamova - Getman, Russian Women’s Championship, Moscow 2020.

Puzzle 154

192
 White to move

There are too many black pieces situated far away from the kingside; how can White take
advantage of this?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By means of an attack along the g-file.

31.Bf6!

The g7-point is the objective.

31...gxf6

If 31...Rg8 the quickest way is 32.Rh3!, since if 32...h6 then 33.Qxh6++.

32.Qh6 Rg8 33.Rxg8+

33.exf6 Qb8 34.Rg7 is another way.

33...Kxg8 34.exf6

1–0

Todorovic - Budisavljevic, Serbian Championship, Vrnjacka Banja 2020.

The last four exercises are slightly more complicated.
Puzzle 155

193
 White to move

White has numerical superiority of forces on the kingside.

How can he exploit this?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By opening lines against the black monarch.

25.Nf6+!

The g-file is opened in decisive manner.

25...gxf6

25...Kf7 was also insufficient due to 26.Nxh7, which wins the exchange, since if 26...Rh8? then
27.g6+ Kg8 28.Nf6+.

26.gxf6+ Bg6

Bad, of course, but 26...Kh8 27.Qh6 Ra7 28.Rg7 wouldn’t change the result.

27.Qxh7++

1–0

194
 Znosko-Borovsky - Lewitt, Ostend 1906.
Puzzle 156

White to move

Black is a piece up and is attacking the white queen, but often the most important thing is the safety
of the monarch, as we know. How can this be demonstrated?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: With a counterattack which makes use of the strength of the white pawn on g7, helped by the
black king’s restricted mobility, with f7 as its only escape square.

24.Nf5!

And there’s no good defence against the double mating threat of 25.Nh6++ or 25.Nxe7+.
24.Ng4 is similar, according to the engine, merely threatening the mate on h6, but this is a
‘computer move’ and it’s much more ‘human’ to also attack the bishop on e7 by moving to f5.
In the event of the white queen moving away, e.g. 24.Qh6, threatening 25.Qe6++, Black has the
advantage after e.g. 24...Qd7 (planning 25...Nxc2 or 25...Bh3) 25.Nxg2 Nxc2.

24.Nf5! Bxh4 25.Nh6++

1–0

195
 Kobalia - Potkin, Yuri Razuvaev Memorial, chess.com 2020.
Puzzle 157

White to move

White has sacrificed a piece to open lines against the black king and reach this attacking position.
How to continue?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By opening more lines.

19.Rxe6!

Also strong is 19.Nxe6+! fxe6 20.Qh8+ Kf7 21.Qh5+ Kf8 22.Qxg5, which wins, but is less
crushing due to 22...Qd6.

19.Rxe6! Nf6

Worse is 19...fxe6 20.Nxe6+ Ke8 21.Bg6++.

20.Qh8+ Ng8

196
 White to move

What’s the strongest move now?

21.Bh7!

Forcing Black’s response, in view of the threat of 22.Qxg8++.

21...fxe6

Now more lines are open, which White can exploit.

22.Qxg8+ Ke7

Here we have another example of “extraction” of the king.

23.Qxg5+

23.Qxe6+ Kd8 24.Qg8+ Ke7 25.Re1+ was quicker, but it doesn’t matter, because the black king
won’t escape; the continuation is all with check.

23...Kd6 24.Qe5+ Kc6

Or 24...Kd7 25.Qxe6+ Kd8 26.Qg8+ Kd7 27.Qf7+ Kc6 28.Qd5+.

25.Be4+ Kb5 26.a4+! Ka6 27.Bd3+ b5 28.Qxe6+

White wins material and continues with his mating attack after 28...Bc6 29.axb5+ Kb7 30.bxc6+

197
Kb8 31.Nd5 Qxc6 32.Qe5+ etc.

1–0

Estrada - De los Ríos, Asunción 1960.

Puzzle 158

Black to move

What should Black do about his attacked rook?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Ignore the threat and go on the attack.

37...Nxf4+!

This sacrifice, to open lines or else force the white king “to take a walk” is the most forceful.

38.Kg4

After 38.gxf4 R8d3+ 39.Kg4 Rg2+ 40.Kh4 Rxh2+, mate quickly follows.

38...Nd3

It was quicker to play 38...h5+ 39.Kxf4 f6!, controlling g5 and e5, when the white king is

198
defenceless, as the engines indicate, e.g. 40.Ne7+ Kf7 41.e5 Rf2+ 42.Rf3 g5+ 43.Ke4 Qe2+ and
mate.
But this is unimportant, since the game is soon over in any case.

39.Qe7 Nf2+ 40.Kf3 Nxh1

It will be mate after 41.Nxd8 Rf2+ 42.Kg4 Qe2+.

0–1

Gunina - Ju, Wenjun, Women’s Grand Prix, Skolkovo 2019.

199
 Show in Text Mode

Puzzles involving a pin

In the next nine exercises the main theme will be the pin.
Puzzle 159

White to move

The black pieces are rather passive. How can this be exploited?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Precisely by the ‘manufacture’ of a pin.

15.Qa4+! Qd7

If 15...b5 then 16.Nxb5.

16.Bb5!

Now White takes advantage of the ‘manufactured’ defenceless state of the rook on a8.

200
 16...axb5 17.Qxa8+ Nc8 18.Qa5 Be7 19.Qxb5

And White won the ending.

Leonhardt - Janowski, Ostend 1906.
Puzzle 160

White to move

What did White play?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: White exploited the pin on the f-file with an accurate intermediate move.

25.Bd4!

Not 25.gxf3?, which even loses material after 25...Qe3!, threatening mate, e.g. 26.Rxf2 Qxf2
27.bxc4 Qxf3+ 28.Kg1 Qe3+.

25.Bd4! Bxd4 26.Rxf3 Bf6 27.bxc4 d4 28.Qc2

And White won with his material advantage.

Schlechter - Znosko-Borovsky, Ostend 1906.
Puzzle 161

201
 Black to move

Black chose something stronger than 39...bxc6 40.g3 Rf1 41.hxg4. What did he play?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Black exploited the pin on the e4-knight to weave a mating net and win material.

39...g3+!

A beautiful winning move.

40.Nxg3

Forced, since if 40.Kxg3 Nf1++ or 40.Kg1 Rf1++.

40...Rxb4 41.Bf3 h4 42.Ne4 Rxb2

And Black won easily.

Recalde - Mangini, Asunción 1960.
Puzzle 162

202
 Black to move

White has an extra pawn but his poor coordination and the activity of the black pieces are more
important. How can these factors be exploited?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By using various pins.

26...Bc5!

26...Rd3 27.Re1 Rxc3 also wins according to the engines, but not as quickly.

26...Bc5! 27.Bxc5

If 27.Re1 then 27...Bxe3 28.Rxe3 Rxd2 wins, while the sad 27.Nf1 loses in various ways, e.g.
27...Rd1+ 28.Bc1 Ba3.

27...Rxd2! 28.Qxf5 Bxf5+ 29.Kc1 Rc2+ 30.Kd1 bxc5 31.Re1 f6 32.f4 Rxa2 33.gxf6 gxf6

0–1

Alexandria - Gaprindashvili, Women’s World Championship, Picunda/Tbilisi (12) 1975.

Puzzle 163

203
 Black to move

The position seems unclear at first glance, with White’s pawns so advanced, but there’s another
element which is more important.
Black can win convincingly – how?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: The exposed position of the white monarch and the possibility of creating various pins are the
decisive factors.

44...Qd6+!

A counterattack of tremendous force.

45.Kh3

If 45.Kf2 then 45...Rf4 pins the queen; in the event of 45.Kh4, the pawn on g4 is now pinned and
so 45...Rxf5 wins, attacking the queen as well as threatening 46...Rh5++.

45...Rd3

This is the third winning pin; Black now won quickly.

Kosmo - Valkama, Finnish Team Championship 2020.
Puzzle 164

204
 White to move

Black has an extra pawn, but White can take advantage of the awkward position of the black pieces
– how?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By preparing a decisive pin.

21.a5!

First of all it’s necessary to deflect the queen from the defence of the d8-rook.
21.Rd2? fails to 21...Nxf3+ 22.Qxf3 (or 22.Rxf3 Bxf4 23.Rxf4 a6) 22...Bxf4 23.Qxf4 Rxd2
24.Qxd2 Rd8 (24...a6 also works) 25.Qe1 a6, and it’s White who is worse.

21.a5! Qa6

21...Nxf3+ 22.Qxf3 Qa6 23.Bxd6 Rxd6 24.Nc7, or 24.Nxd6, fails to change the situation.
And now?

22.Rd2!

Now this pin is winning.

22...Nxf3+ 23.Rxf3! Ne4

205
 If 23...Be7 then 24.Nc7.

24.Nxd6 Nxd2 25.Qxd2 Re6 26.Rd3

With a decisive material advantage.

Nepomniachtchi - Karjakin, Russian Championship, Moscow 2020.
Puzzle 165

White to move

White’s pieces are more active. How did he gain a material advantage?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Thanks to the themes of the pin and the overload on the black queen.

21.Nxe6!

The e6-pawn was supporting Black’s structure and with its loss his position collapses.

21...Qb7

21...Rxe6 loses to 22.Qxd5 Kf7, and the hidden overload on the black queen becomes visible after
23.Rxe6 Qxe6 24.Qxa8.

22.Nc7! Bf8

206
 Or 22...Qxc7 23.Qxd5+, while if 22...Rd8 then 23.Re8+ Rxe8 24.Qxe8+ Bf8 25.Ne6, winning.

23.Qxd5+ Qxd5 24.Nxd5

And White won the ending.

Lianes García - Grigoryan, K, Roquetas de Mar 2021.
Puzzle 166

Black to move

White is a pawn down but has a strong centre. The threat now is 30.f5 – how can Black defend?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By simplifying, thanks to the creation of a pin.

After 29...f6 30.f5 Be8 31.d5, or 31.g5 fxg5 32.d5, play would be unclear, as the extra pawn is
hardly noticeable.

29...Bxe4!

Destroying the white centre.

30.Nxe4 Re7

30...Re8 was the alternative; Black preferred to keep her back rank protected.

207
 31.Bf2

31.Nc3 Rxe3 32.Nxa4 bxa4 33.Rxa4 Rxh3 34.Rxa6 Rh4 35.Rg2 h5! was also better for Black.

31...Rxe4 32.Rxc7 Rxf4

32...h5! 33.gxh5 Rxf4 was more precise.

33.Ra7 h5! 34.gxh5 Rd5 35.Ra3 Rxh5 36.Rxa6 Rg5+ 37.Rg3 Rxg3+ 38.Bxg3 Rxd4 39.Ra8+ Kh7
40.Rb8 Rd5

And Black converted her material advantage.

Shuvalova - Galliamova, Russian Women’s Championship, Moscow 2020.
Puzzle 167

Black to move

White is threatening to recapture the sacrificed piece thanks to the pin.

Black could respond with 34...Rhg8, but there’s something stronger.
What did Black play?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: It’s possible to retain the extra piece.

208
 34...Nd5!

The knight unpins, defending the queen; it’s important to prevent the white queen from checking on
e3.
Instead, 34...Nh5?? loses to 35.Qe3+.

34...Nd5! 35.Rfg1 Rhg8!

If 35...Qxf3 White would give perpetual check with 36.Rg6+ Kh7 37.Rg7+, etc.

36.Qe2

36.Qxf6+ Nxf6 37.Rxh4+ Nh5 was equally hopeless; after 38.Rxg8 Rxg8 39.e5 there could follow
39...Rg1+ 40.Kc2 Rg2+ 41.Kc1 Kg5 42.Ra4 Nf4, when the white pawns aren’t dangerous and the
extra piece should win.

36...Rxg4 37.Qxg4 Ne3

With a double threat of 38...Qf1+, as well as 38...Nxg4; now 38.Qe2 loses to 38...Qf2, among
other things.

0–1

Bachmann - Franco Ocampos, Paraguayan Championship, Asunción, 2014.

209
 Show in Text Mode

Puzzles based on attraction or deflection

In the next six examples the main theme is attracting or deflecting a piece.
Puzzle 168

White to move

White has a very advantageous position, but now has the opportunity to conclude the game quickly
– how?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: The two themes of the previous puzzle are combined here, and the other theme is clearance of
a square.

44.Re2!

With this double threat, attacking the queen directly but also threatening 45.Qe7+, winning the
rook, because it’s not possible to defend it with 44...Qd5.
If 44...Rd2 then 45.Qb8+, or 45.Qa8+, and mate.

210
1–0

Marshall - Spielmann, Ostend 1906.

Puzzle 169

White to move

The threat against g2 prevents White from playing 26.Qh6; how to solve this problem?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: With a beautiful move, involving both obstruction and deflection.

26.e4!

Attacking the d2-rook and also threatening 27.Qh6.

26...Rd6

26...Qd6 fails to 27.Qh6! Qf8 28.Qxd2.

27.e5!

And there’s no defence against 28.Qh6.

1–0

211
 Nepomniachtchi - Nakamura, Speed 2019 chess.com 2020.
Puzzle 170

Black to move

White is two pawns up and attacking the knight on e6, but there are also defects in his position.
Prove that this is the case.

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: The main defect is the situation of the white monarch, which can be exploited by Black’s
active major pieces.

48...Rxb2!

Seeking to deflect the white queen from the defence of g1.

49.Rf2

49.Qxb2 Qg1+ leads to mate.

49...Rxf2+ 50.Qxf2

White’s continuation is scarcely any better; now there’s another winning theme – what is it?

50...Rf7

212
 A decisive pin.

51.Rc2 Rxf2+ 52.Rxf2 Qa1+

0–1

Schulte - Miller, German Championship, Magdeburg 2020.

Puzzle 171

Black to move

White has an extra pawn, but his pieces are poorly coordinated. How can this be exploited?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By taking advantage of the tactical weakness of the king and the queen being on the same
diagonal.

34...Rc1!

And by deflecting the rook from d1 Black succeeds in gaining a decisive material advantage.

35.Rxc1

35.Qf1 loses to 35...Qxd4+! 36.Rxd4 Bxd4+.

35...Bxd4 36.Rf1 Qxb2 37.g3 e5 38.Kg2

213
 If 38.fxe5 then 38...Bxf2+ 39.Rxf2 Qc1+.

38...Bxf2 39.Rxf2 Qc1 40.Rf1 Qc3 41.Rf3 Qa5

0–1

Martín Duque - Berkes, Spanish Team Championship, Linares 2020.

Puzzle 172

White to move

White has great dynamic superiority on the kingside. How to exploit this?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By opening lines with a deflection, thanks to a clear black tactical weakness.

51.Ne7!

Exploiting White’s superior concentration of forces, combined with the fact that the knight on h7 is
loose.

51...Ng5+

No better was 51...Kxe7 52.Rxg7+ Rxg7 53.Rxg7+ Nf7 54.Ng6+ Ke8 55.Rxh7.

52.fxg5 Kxe7 53.gxf6+!

214
 Gaining the e5-square for the knight.

53...Kxf6 54.Rg6+ Kf7 55.Nf3!

And now White will inevitably win material.

55...Rdf8

55...Ne8 to defend g7 loses in various ways, the simplest being 56.Ng5+ followed by capturing the
pawn on e6.

56.Ne5+ Ke7 57.Rxg7+ Rxg7 58.Rxg7+ Kf6 59.h6

Threatening Nd7+.

59...Rh8 60.Kg4 Rxh6 61.Rd7

And the knight is lost, since moving it allows Rf7++.

1–0

Firouzja - Antón Guijarro, Tata Steel Masters, Wijk aan Zee 2021.
The next puzzle is the least simple of the six.
Puzzle 173

Black to move

215
 The white position doesn’t seem in much danger, but there’s a way to show that it contains serious
tactical weaknesses – how?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By taking advantage of the white king’s position on g1 and by attracting the bishop guarding
the b6-knight to a very unfavourable square.

25...d4!

Naturally 25...Bc5 achieves nothing due to 26.Nxd7,

while 25...dxe4 26.fxe4 (or 26.Nd5 Bxd5 27.Qxd5 exf3) 26...Nf6 27.Nd5 Bxd5 28.exd5 Qe5 gives
Black a small advantage, but nothing to compare with the move played.

25...d4! 26.Nxd7

The point is that 26.Bxd4 loses a piece after 26...Bc5! 27.Nxd7 (27.Be3 Nxb6), because the d4-
bishop is unprotected and 27...Bxd4+ is with check.

26...dxe3 27.Nb6

The knight also falls after 27.Qd1 Bc8.

27...Qc1+

If 28.Qd1 Qxd1+ 29.Bxd1 then 29...Bc5 wins.

0–1

Piceu - Tarlev, Bundesliga, Karlsruhe 2020.

216
 Show in Text Mode

Puzzles based on overloading an enemy piece

The overload of an enemy piece is the principal theme of the next five puzzles.
Puzzle 174

Black to move

The position looks fairly harmless. Show that this is not the case.

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By eliminating a vital defender.

11...Bg4!

Taking advantage of the fact that the white queen has two incompatible tasks.

12.Bxc6 bxc6 13.Qe3 Bxe2!

And Black wins material due to the overload on the queen, which must defend the Ne2 and the Bf4.

217
 14.Bxd6 Bxf1 15.Bxe7 Qxe7 16.Kxf1 Qxe3 17.fxe3 a5

And Black won the ending.

Prins - Wade, Saltsjöbaden Interzonal 1952.
Puzzle 175

White to move

White has a strong knight on d5 and the black king is weakened; how can White exploit these
advantages?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By creating an overload on the black queen.

24.h6+!

The preparatory step.

24...Kh8

And now?

25.Nc7!

Winning the exchange, because the queen is having to defend both c7 and f6; 25...Qxc7 allows

218
mate after 26.Qf6+.

25...Qe7 26.Nxa8 Rxa8 27.Rhf1

1–0

Gaprindashvili - Gudmundsson, A, Reikiavik 1964.

Puzzle 176

Black to move

Black has only rook and knight for the queen, but all his pieces are very active. How can Black take
advantage of this factor to exploit an overloaded white piece?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: The overloaded piece is the f1 rook.

26...Rxf2! 27.Qxd3

27.Rxf2 Rxc1+ also leads to a lost ending.

27...Rxg2+!

Better than 27...exd3 28.Kxf2 exd4.

219
 28.Kxg2 exd3 29.dxe5

29.Kf2 Bxh3 30.Rg1 exd4 is no better.

29...d2!

If 30.Bxd2 then 30...Bxh3+; the move order 29...Bxh3+ 30.Kxh3 d2 also works.

0–1

Nepomniachtchi - Nakamura, Speed 2019 chess.com 2020.

Puzzle 177

White to move

The material is equal, but the fact that Black’s king is still in the centre doesn’t bode well for him.
How can this be exploited?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Thanks the fact that there is also an overload on the black queen.

25.Nxc7+!

The simplest. Instead, 25.Qf3 Qg6 26.Rh1 was also very strong, with a decisive attack.

25.Nxc7+! Kd7

220
 25...Qxc7 26.Qxf5 also loses.

26.Nxf7 Bxe4 27.Nxa6

White is two pawns up and will win more material thanks to the double threat to take the rook and
fork the bishop with 28.Nc5+.

1–0

Caruana - Gumularz, Bundesliga, Karlsruhe 2020.

Puzzle 178

Black to move

White is the exchange up but has many weaknesses, in particular his exposed king. How can Black
exploit this situation?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By taking advantage of the overload on two white pieces.

32...Rxe3!

The overloaded pieces are the queen and the rook on e1, which respectively must defend against the
mate on g2 and guard the rook on c1.

221
 33.Nxd5

Or 33.Rxe3 Qxc1+ and ...Qxc7.

33...Rxg3+ 34.hxg3 Qd4+ 35.Ne3

White wins two rooks for the queen, but loses too many pawns and is unable to hold the position.

35...Bxa3 36.Rc4 Qd7 37.Kf2 b5 38.Rc2 b4 39.Ra1 b3 40.Rxa3 bxc2 41.Nxc2 Qb5 42.Ke2 Qc5
43.Ra2 Qd5 44.Rxa4 Qg2+ 45.Kd1 Qxg3 46.Kd2 h5

0–1

Nakamura - Le, Quang, Skilling Open, chess24.com 2020.

222
 Show in Text Mode

Puzzles based on attack

This is the longest section, with 19 examples to exercise your attacking skills.
Puzzle 179

White to move

What’s the best way to continue the attack?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: White could increase the pressure with 21.Rae1, but there’s something more immediate that
he can do on the kingside.

21.Bxh5!

First of all White opens the h-file for the queen. The sacrifice of the bishop for two pawns is a price
more than worth paying in order to clear the way for the white pieces.

21...gxh5 22.Qxh5 Rfe8 23.Qh7+ Kf8

223
 And now? What’s the quickest way?

24.Nxf7!

A decisive opening of the f-file.

White threatens to play 25.Nh6 or 25.Bh6, mating quickly, but 24...Qxf7 loses to 25.Bh6, while
after 24...Kxf7 the black king “takes a walk” and is mated after 25.Bg3+ Ke6 26.Qf5+ Kd5 27.Qd3+
Kc5 (27...Ke6 28.Qc4++) 28.Bf2+ Kb4, and now the most practical is 29.Qb3+ Ka5 30.Be1+, and
mate.

1–0

Lazarevic - Eretova, Women’s Candidates Tournament, Sukhumi 1964.

Puzzle 180

224
 White to move

How to respond to the threat of 33...Qxh4+?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Ignore the attacked pawn and force mate with two precise moves.

33.Qf6+!

First White forces the rook into a self-pin, losing all mobility.

33...Rg7 34.Rd1!

And now White invades with the rook; 34.Rc1! also works.

34...Qxh4+ 35.Kg1

And 36.Rd8 can’t be prevented.

1–0

Hayrapetyan - Gharibyan, Andranik Margaryan Memorial, Yerevan 2021.

Puzzle 181

225
 White to move

There are two ways to win quickly; indicate at least one.

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Exploit the overload on the black queen.

25.Bxf6!

The black queen is indeed tied the defence of the pawn on h7.
The other way was 25.Rxf6!, threatening 26.Rf7, 25...Bxf6 (or 25...Qg7 26.Rf8+!) 26.Bxf6 Qc7
27.gxh7+ Qxh7 28.Qg4+ Kf8 29.Rf1, and mate in a few moves.

25.Bxf6! Bxf6 26.Rxf6

White is two pawns up and there’s no good defence against 27.Rf7.

If 26...Qg7 then, among other things 27.Qf5 wins.

1–0

Franco Ocampos - Jodorcovsky, P, Paraguayan Championship, Asunción 2014.

Puzzle 182

226
 Black to move

White has an extra pawn and is threatening 39.Rxf7. How did Black defend?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: “Attack is the best form of defence.”

38...Rxe3!

Black counterattacks with deadly force against White’s weakened kingside.

39.fxe3

39.Rxf7 Re1+ 40.Kg2 Rxd1 (40...Re7 also works) 41.Rxf6 Rxf6 leaves Black with a decisive
material advantage.

227
 And now?

39...Qf3!

The first invasion, attacking the h3-pawn, putting pressure on the d1-rook and ready to check on the
g3-square if appropriate.

40.R7d2 Bh6!

And the last key move, preparing to capture on e3, which regains the exchange as a first step.

41.Re1 Bxe3+ 42.Rxe3 Rxe3

And now there’s no good defence against the threat of 43...Re1+ and mate.

43.Qa1 Qg3+

If 44.Rg2 or 44.Kh1 then 44...Re1+, while if 44.Kf1 then 44...Rf3+, with mate in two moves.

0–1

Latorre, L - Bachmann, Paraguayan Championship, Asunción 2015.

Puzzle 183

228
 Black to move

Black’s pieces are very active. How can he take advantage of this?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By demonstrating that White’s kingside is vulnerable, and that the dark squares are lacking
their natural defender.

20...Nxf2!

Exploiting the weakness of f2 to create a very advantageous pin.

20...Bxf3 21.Nxf3 Nxf2 also works.

20...Nxf2! 21.Rxe8+

21.Kxf2 Rxe3 22.Kxe3 Re8+ 23.Kf2 Re4 transposes to the game.

21...Rxe8 22.Kxf2 Re4 23.Qa4 Bd7!

Stronger than 23...Rxd4 24.Qe8+ Bf8 25.Nxd4 Qxd4+ 26.Qe3; but also good was 23...Bxd4+
24.Nxd4 Rxd4 25.Qe8+ Kg7 26.Qe5+ f6 27.Qe7+ Kh6 28.Qe3+ g5, with an extra pawn and the
safer king.

24.Qb3

229
24.Qxd7 loses to 24...Bxd4+ 25.Nxd4 Qxd4+ 26.Kf1 Qd3+.

24...Bxd4+ 25.Nxd4 Qxd4+ 26.Kf1 Re5 27.g4 Bxg4

0–1

Aguilera López - Espinosa Aranda, Spanish Championship, Linares 2020.

Puzzle 184

White to move

How can White gain a great advantage?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By means of a devastating attack with the queen and the knight.

29.Nf7+! Kg8 30.Qc4!

Threatening 31.Nh6+ and Philidor‘s mate: 30...-- 31.Nh6+ Kh8 32.Qg8+! Rxg8 33.Nf7++.

30...h5

After 30...Kf8 31.Nxe5 there’s no defence.

31.Nxe5+! Kh7

230
 What’s the strongest move now?

32.Rf5!

The involvement of the rook refreshes the attack.

32...fxe5 33.Qf7 Bxe4 34.Rxh5+ Qh6 35.Rxh6+

White now has a decisive material advantage, to which is added the insecurity of the black king and
another tactical weakness: the rook on a8 is loose.

35...Kxh6 36.Qe6+ Bg6 37.Qh3+ Kg5 38.Qg3+

If 38...Kh5 the rook is lost after 39.Qf3+.

1–0

Donado-Mazarrón Gómez - Moreno Ruiz, Spanish Championship, Linares 2020.

Puzzle 185

231
 White to move

White has good positional compensation for the exchange, in view of the sad role of the g7-bishop.
He can play 34.Nf1, followed by Ne3, but is it possible to convert this compensation into
something more tangible?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Yes, by means of an immediate attack.

34.Bxf6!

This wins at least two pawns and leaves the black king defenceless, at the mercy of White’s major
pieces, supported by the far-advanced white pawns.

34...Bxf6

34...Kg8 loses to 35.Bxg7 Kxg7 36.f6+ (or 36.Rd3 Qe5 37.Rd7+ Kg8 38.f6, which also leads to
mate) 36...Kxf6 37.Rxh6+ Ke7 38.Rh7+ Kxe6 39.Qg6+ Ke5 40.Nf3+ Kf4 41.Rf7+ etc.

35.Rxh6+ Kg8 36.Rxf6 Rf8 37.Rg6+ Kh8 38.Qc3+

38.f6, threatening 39.Rh6+, was faster, but it doesn’t matter.

Following the move played, after 38...Qd4 39.Qh3+ Qh4 40.Rh6+ White wins the queen and still
has the attack (it’s mate in 11, according to the engines), as well as a material advantage.

232
 1–0

Bjerre - Ochsner, Danish Championship, Svendborg 2020.

Puzzle 186

Black to move

How to deal with the threat against h7?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By going over to the counterattack against the unprotected white monarch.

15...Rxf2+!

Black’s queen and rook come into play with a decisive attack, taking advantage of the remote
location of the white pieces on the queenside.
The move order 15...Bxg5 16.hxg5 Rxf2+ also works.

15...Rxf2+! 16.Kxf2 Qxd2+ 17.Kg1 Bxg5 18.Rh2

Now Black will be only the exchange down and after his next move he will have three pawns for it,
giving him the advantage in material as well as the attack.
18.hxg5 allows forced mate, with check, after 18...Qxe3+ 19.Kg2 Qf3+ 20.Kg1 Qg3+ 21.Kf1
Rf8+ 22.Ke2 Rf2+ 23.Kd1 (23.Ke1 Qe3+) 23...Qf3+ and mate in two moves.

233
 18...Qxe3+ 19.Kh1 Bf4

Planning 20.-- 20...Qf3+ 21.Rg2 Qh3+ 22.Kg1 Be3+ 23.Kf1 Nd4, mating quickly. There’s no
good defence against this threat.

20.Ne4 Qf3+ 21.Rg2 Qh3+ 22.Kg1 Be3+ 23.Nf2 g3

And White resigned shortly afterwards.

Nepomniachtchi - Kramnik, Razuvaev Memorial, chess.com 2020.
Puzzle 187

Black to move

The material favours White, who has a rook and three pawns for two minor pieces, but there’s an
element which matters more. How can this be exploited?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: The weakness of the white king on the diagonal c1-h6, which is incurable.

33...Bd8!

The entrance of this bishop is decisive.

34.Qg3 Bg5+ 35.Ke1

234
 There are several ways to win; 35...Qa2 is the quickest, but Black chooses the most attractive
move, which wins huge amounts of material, reminiscent of a ‘cannon’ in billiards.

35...Qxf1+! 36.Kxf1 Rxf8+ 37.Ke2 Bxc1 38.c4 Bf4 39.Qb3 Ne3 40.d5 Bg4+ 41.Kd3 Nxg2
42.Qb2 Ne1+

0–1

Sheng - Gauri, Charlotte 2020.

Puzzle 188

White to move

White is the exchange down, but there’s a tactical weakness in the black position which is more
important. What is it, and how can it be exploited?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: It’s Black’s very weakened kingside, especially the long dark-squared diagonal, where the
defensive bishop is missing.

27.Rxd4!

By bringing the b2-bishop to life White gains a winning attack.

27.exf5 was also good, although less forceful.

235
27.Rxd4! b5

Of course the black kingside is indefensible after 27...Nxd4 28.Qxd4.

28.Nf6+

28.Qc3 was also adequate.

28...Kh8 29.Rxd8! Qxc4

If 29...bxc4 then 30.Ng4+ and Nh6++.

30.Rxf8+ Kg7 31.Nd7+

1–0

Balakrishnan - Tokhirjonova, Charlotte 2020.

Puzzle 189

Black to move

Black could play 47...Bd7, defending his pawn, but there’s something stronger.
What is it?

Show/Hide Solution

236
Hint: Infiltrate with the two pieces, supported by the passed pawn and the monarch.

47...c3! 48.Bxf5

48.Rxc3 fails to 48...Ba4+ 49.Kd2 Rb2+.

48...Rb2+ 49.Kc1 Ra2

Threatening 50...Ra1+ 51.Kc2 Ba4++.

50.Kb1 Rxf2 51.Re1 e3

Another passed pawn appears and no further resistance is possible.

52.h5 e2 53.Bh3 Be4+ 54.Kc1 Ke3

0–1

Ayats - Muñoz, M, Barcelona 2020.

Puzzle 190

White to move

What to do about the attacked knight?

Show/Hide Solution

237
Hint: Leave the knight where it is for now and prepare an invasion with the knight and the queen.
Not 19.Ng6?, which even loses after 19...Qf6, threatening mate on f2.

19.g5!

Threatening 20.Ng6, and with the idea of Qh5.

19.Nf5 Qg5 leaves the knight well placed but blocks the attack.

19.g5! Be6 20.Nf5 Bxf5 21.exf5 g6

Controlling h5, so now the white queen looks for a new way to infiltrate.

22.Qf3

22.fxg6 Kg7 23.gxf7 was also good, naturally.

22...c6 23.f6 Qd7 24.Qh1

And now there’s no good defence against 25.Qh6.

24...Qf5 25.Qh6 Qxf2+ 26.Kd1

1–0

Buksa - Berdnyk, Ukrainian Women’s Championship, Kherson 2020.

Puzzle 191

238
 Black to move

Black has sacrificed a piece for this tremendous attacking position. How should he continue?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By bringing a new piece into the attack.

16...Ba3!

With the idea of 17...Bc5+, dominating the vital g1-a7 diagonal.

16...Bd4+? 17.Nxd4 Qg3+ 18.Kh1 only draws.

16...Ba3! 17.Rc1

17.Kf2 also fails to 17...Bc5+ 18.Ke1 Ng3! 19.Nxg3 Qxg3+ 20.Kd2 Qh2+ 21.Qe2 Qxh6, with a
material advantage to Black and with the white king still weak, but this was White’s best chance.
If White ignores Black’s threat and plays 17.Bxf8 then after 17...Bc5+ 18.Rf2 the move 18...Rxf8 is
very strong, with the idea of ...Nf6-g4 or ...Ng3, but also adequate, and more direct, is 18...Ng3
19.Nxg3 Qxg3+ 20.Kh1 Bxf2 21.Qf1 Rxf8, with a big material advantage and the attack.

17...Nf6!

A fresh attacker arrives.

18.Bxf8 Ng4 19.Rf2 Qe3

Putting pressure on f2, c1 and d3.

20.Qf1 Bxc1 21.Be7

Or 21.Nxc1 Nxf2 22.Qxf2 Qxc1+.

21...Nxf2 22.Qxf2 Re8 23.Bf6 Qxd3 24.Nxc1 Qd1+ 25.Qf1 Qg4+ 26.Qg2 Qxf4 Black’s material
advantage is already decisive and will continue to increase.

27.Bg5 Qxe4 28.Qxe4 Rxe4

0–1

Bjerre - Moroni, Vergani Cup, Villorba 2021.

Puzzle 192

239
 White to move

White can win by attacking the black king. How, exactly?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By opening more lines against the black king.

31.Nxg6+!

White wins two pawns and will be able to take advantage of the g- and h- files to manoeuvre with
his rooks.

31...hxg6 32.gxf5 gxf5?

This loses quickly.

32...Qh4 was more resilient but there’s no defence after 33.fxg6 Rf6 34.Kh2, when White will
continue with Rfg1 and then prepare Rg5, followed by Rh5; in the meantime Black has no
counterplay.

33.Qh8+ Ke7 34.Qh4+

The continuation would be 34...Kf8 35.Rg8+!, mating.

1–0

240
 Chiburdanidze - Xu, Yuhua, Women’s Grand Prix, Jermuk 2010.
Puzzle 193

White to move

Black has an extra pawn, but the black king is still in the centre and his pieces are uncoordinated. In
contrast, the white minor pieces are very active. How can White take advantage of this situation?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By opening lines quickly, thanks to a double threat; what tactical weakness can you see in
Black’s position?

22.Qe1!

Attacking the loose knight on a5 and also preparing the next move.

22...b6 23.Nd6+!

23.e6! was also crushing.

23...Bxd6 24.exd6+ Kd7 25.Qe7+ Kc8

241
What’s the final blow now?

26.Bd5!

And White wins a rook, thanks to the overload on the black queen.

1–0

Polosin - Solozhenkin, Lozovatsky Memorial, Chelyabinsk 2021.

Puzzle 194

242
 Black to move

Things have gone very well for Black, whose pieces are very active How can he exploit his
advantages?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By means of a quick attack using the open g- and h- files.

28...Nxh2!

The first step, eliminating a defender and forcing the white monarch to move to an unfavourable
square.

29.Kxh2 Bh4!

Making way for the a7-rook; now 30.Kg1 fails to 30...Bxg3 and the f-pawn is pinned.

30.Nh5 Rh7 31.Bd1

31.g4 is only a temporary solution; Black could play 31...Kh8! 32.Qe3 (or 32.Kg2 Rg8) 32...Qc7
33.Kg2 Rg8, winning, as there’s no good defence against 34...Rxh5.

31...Bb7

Black wins the d5-pawn, gaining a crushing central majority.

This is winning but another, equally effective, idea was to continue attacking with 31...f4, followed
by ...Bf5, with the idea of ...Bg6.

32.Bf3 e4 33.Be2 Bxd5

0–1

Safin - Khruschiov, Lozovatsky Memorial, Chelyabinsk 2021.

The last three exercises in this chapter are slightly more difficult.
Puzzle 195

243
 Black to move

Black has an excellent position for the exchange in the shape of his passed pawn and his strong
bishops. How can he take immediate advantage?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By exploiting the insecurity of the white king, but it’s not so simple; it’s vital to foresee
Black’s 36th move, or.... to have the great stroke of luck to find it.

34...Qf2+!

The first step is this beautiful queen sacrifice.

35.Rxf2 exf2+ 36.Kg2

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 And now?

36...fxe1=N+!!

The only way; in contrast, 36...fxe1=Q 37.Qxf7+ Kh8 38.Qf6+ Kh7 39.Qf7+ Kh6 40.Qf4+ leads
only to perpetual check.

37.Kh3 Re7

Black has a decisive material advantage and the white king is still weak.

38.Kh4 Bc6 39.Qd1 Nf3+ 40.Kh3 Ng5+ 41.Kh4 Nf3+ 42.Kh3 Ng1+ 43.Kh4 Rd7

43...Re4+ would win more quickly but it doesn’t matter: 44.g4 Bf2+ 45.Kg5 Nh3+ 46.Kh6 Be3+
and mate.
The move played wins the queen, because there’s no defence after e.g. 44.Qc2 Be7+ 45.Kg4 Rd4+
and mate.

0–1

Ujtumen - Gaprindashvili, Goglidze Memorial, Tbilisi, 1971.

Puzzle 196

245
 White to move

The black king is weak, the white pieces are very active and the a2-rook is a long way from the
defence. What’s the quickest way to exploit this?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By increasing the activity of the queen, “whatever it costs.”

28.Re6!

White pays a high price to give the queen access to f6, but the remaining rook will be able to join in
the attack and, no less important, likewise the pawn on h5.

28...Qf8

28...Qxe6 29.Rxe6 fxe6 30.Qxf6+ Rg7 loses quickly to 31.h6.

The most tenacious defence was 28...fxe6, but this is also insufficient. A possible continuation is
29.Qxf6+ Rg7 30.h6 Qc7 31.hxg7+ Qxg7, when 32.Qd8+ Qg8 33.Qxb6 is good, threatening
34.Qxb7 as well as 34.Qb3, followed by Qxe6, but it’s even stronger to open the e-file with 32.Qxe6,
and after 32...Rxb2?! 33.Qe8+ Qg8 34.Qe5+ Qg7 35.Qf5!, with the black rook so distant, there’s no
good defence against 36.Re8+, e.g. 35...Qg8 36.Qf6+ Qg7 37.Re8++.

29.Qxf6+ Qg7 30.h6

And now the f7-pawn will also be lost; after 30...Qxf6 31.Rxf6 Rf8 White can still play 32.Rxf7.

246
 1–0

Kryvoruchko - Bacrot, Spanish Team Championship, Linares 2020.

Puzzle 197

Black to move

The material is equal, but the position isn’t; how did Black gain a winning position?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By using a file for the attack.

38...Rh5!

Not 38...g4?, which achieves little after 39.Ne5 Rh4 40.Nd7, and 40...Rbh6?? Is impossible due to
41.Nf8+ Kg8 42.Ng6+.

38...Rh5! 39.Ne5?

There’s no time for this; it was essential to keep the knight on f3; after e.g. 39.d4 Rbh6 40.Kf1
Rh1+ 41.Ng1 Rc6! (or 41...Rb6), heading for c2, White is tied up, with only one of his rooks active;
meanwhile Black is planning to attack f2 with both rooks and perhaps the knight too, e.g. 42.Ra8 Rc2
43.Rxa5 Rh2 44.Re2 (or 44.Ne2 Rxe2 45.Rxe2 Rh1++) 44...Rc1+ 45.Re1 Nd3 46.Nf3 Rh1+ 47.Kg2
Nxe1+ 48.Kxh1 Nxf3+.

247
39...Rbh6!

Winning decisive material.

0–1

Damljanovic - Budisavljevic, Serbian Championship, Vrnjacka Banja 2020.

248
 Show in Text Mode

Puzzles based on defence

In the following nine puzzles your task will be to defend in the best possible way.
Puzzle 198

White to move

White has an extra pawn, but this is a critical position; how to continue?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: It’s essential to identify Black’s threat and then all will be clear.

28.Rc2!

A beautiful way to defend the d4-pawn prophylactically.

The threat was 28...g6, followed by ...Nxd4, exploiting the fact that the rook on c1 was loose.

28...Kf8

Now if 28...g6 then 29.Ne3 and the rook is protected.

249
 29.Ne3 Ke7 30.f4 Rd7 31.Kf2 g6 32.Ke2 Kd6 33.Rb2

And White converted his advantage in 52 moves.

Perlis - Wolf, Ostend 1906.
Puzzle 199

Black to move

Black is worse, but it’s necessary to offer maximum resistance.

The black king has a choice of two retreat squares – which should Black choose?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: It’s essential to ask yourself: “what can my opponent do?” (in response to my intended
move).

34...Kh8?

Black chooses the wrong move.

34...Kg8 was necessary, when Black can continue resistance.

34...Kh8? 35.Qd4!

With a decisive pin.

250
35...Rdd6 36.Rf7 Nh7 37.Re1!

Threatening 38.Re8+.

37...Bd7 38.Ree7

38.Bg6 was also winning.

38...Qf1+ 39.Kh2 Qb1 40.Qxb6

And the attack is unstoppable.

40...Rxf7 41.Bxf7 Rg6 42.Qd8+

1–0

Schlechter - Janowski, Ostend 1906.

Puzzle 200

Black to move

Where should Black retreat the attacked knight?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Once again, don’t forget to ask yourself: “how can my opponent respond?”.

251
 27...Nb6?

It was necessary to play 27...Nf6, when if 28.Qe3 the c5-pawn can be defended with 28...Qf5.

27...Nb6? 28.Rxd8 Rxd8 29.Qe5+!

Now the pawn on c5 falls.

29...Qg7

29...Kg8 30.Qxc5 Rd2 was similar.

30.Qxc5 Rd2

Regaining the pawn with 30...Qxb2 was also unpleasant in view of 31.Qe7 Rg8 32.c5, or 31...Qd4
32.c5 Nc4 33.Qxf7, followed by Rb1 or c6, when 33...Qxc5? fails to 34.Qf6+.

31.a4! Rxb2?

If 31...Nd7 then 32.Qxa7 Qxb2 33.a5; 31...Nxa4? also loses to 32.Qb4, with a double attack.

32.Rd1!

32.a5 was also very strong.

The move played threatens both 33.Rd8+ and 33.a5; now 32...h6 loses to 33.a5 Na4 34.Rd8+ Kh7
35.Be4+ f5 36.Bxf5+ exf5 37.Qxf5+ Qg6 38.Rd7+.

1–0

Bronstein - Flohr, Candidates Tournament, Budapest 1950.

Puzzle 201

252
 Black to move

A bishop down and facing so many threats! How to defend?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: There are only two possible defences: seeking stalemate or perpetual check.
And since stalemate is impossible...

38...Rg1+!

The saving resource known as the “crazy rook”, which is generally employed to bring about
stalemate, not to give perpetual check.

39.Kh2

39.Kxg1 Qd1+ 40.Kg2 Qf3+ is a draw.

39...Rh1+!

And the white king has no escape.

40.Kg2 Rg1+

½–½
Smyslov - Tal, Candidates Tournament, Yugoslavia 1959.

253
 Puzzle 202

Black to move

Black is the exchange up, but White is threatening to move the knight, not only to d8, followed by
mate, but also to other squares with check, followed by capturing the bishop. How should Black
defend?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Bring the queen back to aid the defence, “one way or another.”

26...Bxf2+!

This is the only valid defensive resource.

Not the immediate 26...Qf8? in view of 27.Ng5+ Kh8 28.Qxe1.

26...Bxf2+! 27.Kf1

The bishop is immune because Black wins after 27.Kxf2? Qa7+ and the queen slinks up with the
defence by capturing the knight.

27...Qf8!

Now the queen is able to join in the defence.

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 28.Nh6+

And White has perpetual check, but no more.

28...Kh8 29.Nf7+ Kg8 30.Nd8+ Kh8 31.Nf7+

½–½
Cubas, J - Franco Ocampos, Paraguayan Championship, Asunción 2019.
Puzzle 203

Black to move

Black played

65...Rxf4?

...and lost after 66.Rxf7+. There were better defences available – what were they?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Don’t forget the only two defences possible in a desperate position.
It was necessary to take advantage of the stalemated situation of the king to force a draw.
65...Re4+ 66.Kd7 (or 66.Kxf7 Re7+! and a draw) 66...Rd4+ and the white king has nowhere to
hide.
Even simpler was 65...Rd8+! 66.Kxf7 Rd7+ 67.Ke6 Rd6+ 68.Ke5 Rd5+, etc.

255
 Antón Guijarro - Salgado López, Iberoamerican Championship, chess24.com 2020.
Puzzle 204

Black to move

Black has a damaged pawn structure and if White manages to stabilise the position he will have
advantage. How can Black try to prevent this?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By exploiting the slightly hidden overload on the white queen.

27...Bxg4! 28.fxg4 Rxe4! 29.Rd8+ Ke7 30.Qxe4+ Kxd8 31.Qd4+ Ke7 32.Qxg7 White has
recovered his pawn, but the endgame is balanced.

32...Qc5+ 33.Kf3 Qd5+ 34.Kf2 Qc5+ 35.Kf3 Qd5+ 36.Kf2

½–½
Narciso - Represa Pérez, Spanish Championship, Linares 2020.
Puzzle 205

256
 Black to move

Black is two pawns up, but right now they are irrelevant. How would you continue here?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: The queen is in a very menacing position on c3 and only requires some support to be able to
launch a very dangerous attack.

21...Rfe8?

Losing the sense of danger.

It was necessary give the black king some breathing space with 21...h6!, with a good position, for
instance after 22.Rg1 Black can play 22...Kh7.

21...Rfe8? 22.Rg1!

Threatening 23.Bxe4+, and suddenly Black is lost.

22...Kf8

In the event of the unusual defensive try 22...Qg4 White can play either 23.Bxe4 Bxe4+ 24.f3 Bd5
25.Rxg4+ fxg4 26.Rg1 or, even better, the striking sequence 23.Bh3 (or 23.Bf1) 23...e3+ 24.Bg2!,
winning more material.

23.Qb4+

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 And the bishop is lost.

1–0

González De La Torre - Arizmendi, Spanish Team Championship, Linares 2020.

Puzzle 206

Black to move

White is better, with the better structure (two “pawn islands” vs. three) and the more active pieces.
Black should have been thinking about defence. What would you play here, 27...Rf7 or 27...Re8?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: It’s essential to remember to ask yourself: “how can my opponent respond?”.

27...Re8?

This move merely increases White’s advantage.

It was better to play 27...Rf7!, when after e.g. 28.Bc3 Bc6 White is better, but Black has good
chances of holding the position.

27...Re8?

What’s the problem with 27...Re8?

258
 28.Rg5! Re7 29.Bc3!

Threatening 30.Bb4, as well as attacking the d5-pawn.

29...h6?

More tenacious was 29...Qc6, when it’s possible to capture on d5 but perhaps better to play 30.Qd4
Qb7 31.Bb4 (better than 31.Rxd5 Rd7) 31...Rd7 32.Qf6!, (threatening 33.Qf8++), and after 32...h6
33.Qxh6 Qc6 34.Qxc6 Bxc6 35.Rg6 Rc7 36.Rd6, followed by g4, is awkward for Black, as the 3-1
pawn majority on the kingside will slowly begin to count.

30.Rxd5 Qc6 31.Qh5

The finish could be 31...Bc4 32.Rd8+ Kh7 33.Qf5+ Qg6 34.Rh8+.

1–0

Narciso - Peralta, Barcelona 2020.

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 Show in Text Mode

Puzzles based on attack and defence

In the next 15 exercises you will need to combine attack and defence.
Puzzle 207

Black to move

White is attacking. How should Black defend?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: “The best defence...” is?

A good counterattack!

40...Qd1!

Threatening 41...Qc1+, followed by ...Rc2+.

In the event of 40...hxg5 41.Rxf6! Rxf6 42.Nxg5 Rf2+, White should play, not 43.Ka3? Qe7+, but
43.Kc3! when, contrary to appearances, White would be fine.

260
 40...Qd1! 41.Nd4

41.Qxc6 bxc6 42.Rxf6 was more resilient, although after e.g. 42...Qe2+! 43.Ka3 Qxe3, now that
Black has created a passed pawn he should win, although it would have taken longer.

41...Qc1+!

After 42.Ka2 Qd2+ 43.Ka1 (43.Ka3 Be7+) 43...Rc1+ the game is over.

0–1

Wade - Gligoric, Saltsjöbaden Interzonal 1952.

Puzzle 208

Black to move

The kings are castled on opposite sides. The open b-file indicates that Black has the advantage, but
White is threatening, for instance. 26.g5, followed by Nf6+.
How can Black take the lead in this attacking race?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By eliminating White’s most important piece, both for attack and defence.

25...Ne7!

261
 And after the exchange of this knight the white position collapses surprisingly easily
The threat is 26...Nxd5, followed by ...Qxe3+.

26.Rd3

After 26.Nxe7+ Qxe7 Black threatens not only to capture on e3 but also to return to the long
diagonal with ...Qf6, and there’s no defence, e.g., after 27.Rd3, as well as playing 27...Qf6, which is
very strong, it’s even better to open more lines first with 27...d5! 28.Bxd5 c4! 29.Bxc4 Qf6, with a
decisive attack.

26...Nxd5 27.Bxd5 Qf6

And the queen is able to infiltrate. As is often the case, the opposite-coloured bishops favour the
side with the attack.

28.Rb3 Rxb3 29.Bxb3 Qa1+ 30.Qb1 Qc3+

0–1

Prins - Matanovic, Saltsjöbaden Interzonal 1952.

Puzzle 209

Black to move

How to respond to the attack on the c3-bishop?

Show/Hide Solution

262
 Hint: By combining the defence of the bishop and the g5-square with a very strong counterattack.

40...Kg6!!

A superb move, combining attack and defence. The king prevents the entrance of the white queen
on g5 and threatens to win with 41...Qxh7, which defends the bishop indirectly.
Instead, 40...Bf6 41.Kg2 Rxh7 42.Rh1 achieves nothing; White will play f3 or g4 and will stand no
worse, despite being a pawn down.
40...Bd4 41.Qg5+ Kf7 42.g4! also fails to offer Black any advantage.

40...Kg6!! 41.Rd1 Bd4!

Achieving the ideal setup of his pieces.

42.Qf4 Qxh7 43.Kf1 Qh1+ 44.Ke2 Qh5+! 45.g4

In the event of 45.Kf1 Black can play 45...Qf3! 46.Qxf3 exf3 47.Kg1 and now, among other
things, such as 47...Kg5, 47...Re8 is strong, with no fear of 48.g4 in view of 48...Re2 49.Bxf5+ Kg5
50.Rf1 (one of the threats is 51...Ra2 52.a4 Rb2) 50...Kf4, controlling e4, and White is paralysed and
unable to defend his queenside.

45...Qxg4+ 46.Qxg4+ fxg4 47.Bxe4+ Kg5

We could already conclude the exercise here, as Black has an extra pawn and a clear advantage, but
let’s keep watching this magnificent lesson in technique by Black.

48.Rh1

263
 48...Re8!

Naturally Black retains the rooks and gains a passed pawn, because if 49.Kd3? then 49...Bxf2.

49.f3

Here we have another exercise: how can Black gain more space for his rook?

49...b5!

Opening the b-file to infiltrate.

50.Kf1

50.cxb5 fails to 50...d5.

50...bxc4 51.bxc4 g3 52.Rh7 Rb8! 53.Bb7

If 53.Rb7 then 53...Rh8.

53...Be5 54.Kg2 Kf4 55.Rf7+ Ke3!

White is almost in zugzwang and Black is threatening 56...Rh8, as well as ...Kd3, winning the c4-
pawn; there’s no defence now.

56.f4 Bxf4 57.Re7+ Be5 58.Rf7 a5 59.a4 Kd4 60.Bd5 Rb2+ 61.Kf1 Ra2

0–1

264
 Ståhlberg - Kotov, Candidates Tournament, Zürich 1953
Puzzle 210

White to move

Would you capture on a4 or prefer some other idea?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: You won’t neglect the defence of your back rank, will you?

50.Qxa4?

This allows the two black pieces to collaborate with great effect.
50.Qb2! was necessary; the endgame arising after 50...Qxb2+ (50...Qd3 51.Ra3 Qd1 52.Ra1
achieves nothing) 51.Rxb2 a3 52.Ra2 Ra7 53.g4!, despite the passive rook, can be defended without
any problems; the black rook can’t achieve much, given this pawn structure, and the black king is
unable to penetrate.

50.Qxa4? Rc7!

And there’s no good defence against 51...Rc1.

51.Ra1 Qb2+ 52.Kh3 Qf2!

265
Preparing the entrance of the rook with greater force.
We could well terminate the exercise here, but let’s see the final stage, which is instructive.
52...Rc2 53.Rh1 Re2 was also adequate, but less forceful.

53.Qd1 Rc2

The white monarch is very unsafe and Black’s threats will soon be unstoppable.

54.Qh1 Qxe3

The threat now is 55...Qe6+.

55.Re1 Qd3!

Threatening ...Qf5+.

56.Re5 Qxd4 57.Qe1 Qb2 58.g4 hxg4+

The white king is doomed, e.g. 59.Kxg4 Rg2+ 60.Kh3 Rh2+ 61.Kg3 Qg2+ 62.Kf4 Rh3.

0–1

Rabar - Sliwa, Gothenburg Interzonal 1955.

Puzzle 211

266
 Black to move

Black has an extra pawn, but White is threatening 38.Re7; it’s not possible to play 37...Qxd6? due
to 38.Re8+!
So, what to do? Attack the pawn with 37...Bf8, or think about defending with 37...Qf5?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: When there are bishops of opposite colour the force of the attack is generally greater.

37...Bf8?

Black has lost his sense of danger; he neglected to ask himself: “how can my opponent respond?”.
37...Qf5! was essential and after 38.Qxf5 gxf5 39.Re7 Rxd6 40.Bxf7+ Kf8 41.Rxb7 the endgame is
equal.

37...Bf8? 38.Re7!

With this interference White creates a mating attack.

38...Bxe7 39.Qxf7+ Kh8 40.dxe7 Re8 41.Qf8+! Rxf8

Or 41...Kh7 42.Qh6++.

42.exf8=Q+

267
 1–0

Rossetto - Riego, Asunción 1960.

Puzzle 212

White to move

White is the exchange down but has some compensation.

What would you choose here, 36.Nf5 or 36.Rd1?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: It’s essential to check whether the protection of a piece is real or merely apparent.

36.Nf5?

Tempting, but a blunder.

It was better to play 36.Rd1!, regaining the exchange after e.g. 36...Qf2 37.Qxf2 Rxf2 38.Bxf7+
Kxf7 39.Rxd8, with equal chances.

36.Nf5?

What’s wrong with the move played?

36...Rxf5!

268
 Winning decisive material.

37.exf5 Qxd5 38.f6 g6 39.Re5 Qd1+

0–1

Delgado - Bachmann, Paraguayan Championship, Asunción 2016.

Puzzle 213

White to move

How to respond to the threat of 28...Nf3+ and 29...Rxh5+?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By utilising various tactical weaknesses in the black camp, such as the weakness of the back
rank.

28.Ne7+!

28.Nd4 was good, but wouldn’t win immediately.

28.f4! was another way; after 28...Rxc1 (or 28...Nf3+ 29.Kf2 Rxc1 30.Rxc1 Rxf5 31.g4) it’s
necessary to resort to 29.Ne7+! (29.Rxc1 Rxf5 30.g4 Rf6 is less effective) 29...Bxe7 30.Rxc1 Nc4
31.fxg5 Nxb2, but it’s less forceful than the move played.

28.Ne7+! Kh8

269
 If 28...Bxe7 then 29.Rxc8+ Bf8 30.f4.

29.f4!

And Black is lost after 29...Re8 30.fxg5 Nxf1 31.Nxd5, e.g. 31...Nxe3 32.Nxe3 Bc5 (32...Rxe3
33.Rc8 Kg8 34.Ba3) 33.Rxc5, or 31...Ng3 32.Rc7 Nxh5 33.Rxa7.

1–0

Franco Ocampos - García Moreno, Roquetas de Mar 2019.

Puzzle 214

Black to move

The chances are equal in this untypical position. There are several possible continuations.
I suggest that you choose between 41...Qf5 and 41...Qf4+ 42.Qg3 Qf5. Which would you play?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: You shouldn’t rely too much on the mobility of your queen.

41...Qf4+?

After 41...Qf5! followed by ...a5 the position remains complicated but Black is fine; if then 42.Qg3,
preparing Qh4 and Qh6, among other ideas, then 42...Qc2+, showing that the white king is not totally
safe either, e.g. 43.Kh1 Bf5! 44.Qh4 Be4 45.Qg4, threatening to win with 46.Qc8+, and now

270
45...Bf5, or 45...h5 46.gxh6 a5.

41...Qf4+? 42.Qg3!

The exchange of queens is losing for Black; the rook would win easily.

42...Qf5?

42...Qb4 43.Qh4! forces the exchange of queens, thanks to the threat of Qh6.
What’s wrong with the move played?

43.Nd4

And, surprisingly, the black queen is trapped.

1–0

Nakamura - Nepomniachtchi, Speed 2019, chess.com 2020.

Puzzle 215

White to move

White has an extra pawn and his queen is active, but not everything is positive.
What would you play here?

Show/Hide Solution

271
 Hint: Never underestimate the opponent’s chances; White’s king is also weak.

31.Bd5?

White threatens to capture the bishop with check, but this move is too optimistic; the white king
will now succumb to a mating attack.
It was essential to defend against the entrance of the rook with 31.Rf1! Rd2+ (if 31...Rd3 White has
32.Qb8) 32.Rf2.

31.Bd5? Rd2+ 32.Kh3 Qf3!

And even though the bishop is captured with check, this doesn’t matter, because Black will give
mate.

0–1

Rantanen - Agopov, Finnish Team Championship 2020.

Puzzle 216

White to move

How would you defend against the threat of 41...Qxc4? With 41.b3 or 41.Qxc6?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Pay attention to the tactical weaknesses which can appear.

272
 41.Qxc6?

41.b3! would have retained the extra pawn and a great advantage.

41.Qxc6? Qxf3+!

And Black wins a piece for two pawns and no longer stands worse.

42.Kxf3 Nd4+ 43.Kg4 Nxc6 44.Kf5

The active king is a guarantee of counterplay. The game should have ended in a draw, but in fact
White managed to win.
Aronian - Vachier-Lagrave, Airthings Masters chess24.com 2020.
Puzzle 217

Black to move

White exerts strong pressure on the kingside. Black needs to think about defence.
What would you choose, 26...f6 or 26...h6?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: When the safety of the king is a factor you need to be very careful and calculate accurately
the opponent’s tactical possibilities.

26...h6?

273
 Black took the wrong decision.
It was necessary to play 26...f6! and after e.g. 27.Qh4 (27.Qg3 Nb6) 27...Re4 there’s still a lot of
fight ahead.

26...h6?

What’s wrong with 26...h6?

27.Rxf7+!

Opening up Black’s kingside and winning, thanks to the combined strength of all the white forces.

27...Rfxf7

Or 27...Rexf7 28.Qxg6+ Kh8 29.Bxf7.

28.Qxg6+ Kf8 29.Qxh6+

Forcing the black king to move into a deadly pin, before bringing the rook into the attack along the
g-file, with more force.

29...Kg8 30.Rf3

And with the entrance of the rook it’s all over.

1–0

Wachinger - Lindgren, Bundesliga, Karlsruhe 2020.

Puzzle 218

274
 Black to move

What would you do about your attacked bishop? Retreat with 38...Ba4 or defend it with 38...Qa4?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Avoid creating tactical weaknesses unless you’ve carefully weighed up the risks involved.

38...Qa4?

Black takes the wrong decision.

Perhaps you’ve already deduced from the hint that it was necessary to play 38...Ba4!, with some
advantage to White after 39.Rxc8 Qxc8 40.Bxa7, but with a tenable position.

38...Qa4?

275
 If you didn’t see the defect of the move that Black chose, you can do a new exercise: the rook on c8
is pinned, which is a cause for worry, although White will need to act quickly to take any advantage
of it. But Black has another tactical weakness that White can exploit – how?

39.Bf1!

With the threat of 40.Bd3+, or 40.Rxc2, followed by 41.Bd3+, it forces the following pawn
advance, which opens lines in White’s favour.

39...e4 40.Bd4! Nd7

40...Qb3 doesn’t help Black, in view of 41.Bxf6 gxf6 42.d7, and if 42...e3 then, among other
things, White has two attractive queen moves that win, namely 43.Qd3+! and 43.Qd5!.

41.fxe4 Rc6 42.e5

With an extra pawn the white position is winning and the game didn’t last much longer.

42...Be4 43.Rxc6 Qxc6 44.Qc3 Qa4 45.Be2 Nf8 46.Be3 a6 47.Qc4

1–0

Movsesian - Grafl, Bundesliga, Karlsruhe 2020.

Puzzle 219

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 Black to move

White has three minor pieces, all very well placed, against a queen and two pawns, a rarely seen
balance of forces.
White has just played 24.Be4, preventing 24...Qc2; positionally this was correct, but it fails
tactically – why?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Because Black can exploit, or perhaps it would be more correct to say “manufacture”, a fatal
tactical weakness in the white camp.

24...Qxe4!

A beautiful move to start with, aimed at showing that White’s back rank is weak. First a defender is
drawn away.

25.Rxe4 Rxd5!

After two brilliant moves by Black, White’s back rank, which seemed in no danger, is now revealed
to be fatally weak. Astonishing, isn’t it?

26.Rc1

26.Rde1 loses to 26...gxf4 27.Rxe7 Rdd2.

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 26...gxf4

Reaching a winning ending with two extra pawns.

27.g3 fxg3 28.hxg3 e6

0–1

Daneshvar - Lobanov, Andranik Margaryan Memorial, Yerevan 2021

Puzzle 220

Black to move

White is two pawns up and wouldn’t mind sacrificing the exchange to enable his pawns to advance.
Can you show that the situation is not all rosy for White?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By accepting the challenge, but under your own terms.

33...Nb8!

This simple double threat wins the exchange, but in addition it leads to the win of some white
pawns, gaining a decisive material advantage for Black after e.g. 34.Qd6 Nxa6 35.Qxa6 Qxd5+, or
34.Rc6 Nxc6 35.dxc6 Qxc6+.
It’s worth noting that the knight on h4 is out of the game and taking no part in the struggle; if this

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piece were centralised the situation could be very different.

0–1

Quispe - Lin, Yingrui, Spanish Championship, Linares 2020.

Puzzle 221

Black to move

Both kings are exposed, but White’s especially, and the distant location of the white queen makes it
difficult for it to support the defence. Unless White can create some threats Black will win.
One natural idea is to support an invasion along the a-file, which could be decisive. What’s the
most effective way?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Black must find the best way to pursue the attack and nullify a saving resource for the
defence.

32...Ke7??

32...Qa8 would allow the defensive resource 33.Qxc8+! Qxc8 34.Rd8+; the move played prevents
this and renews the threat of 33...Qa8, but.... the opponent also gets to move.
The strongest and winning move was 32...Ra8!, preventing 33.Qxc8+ and preparing 33...Qa7, and
in the event of 33.Bd5 there’s more than one winning move, including 33...b3!, to further pry open

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the king’s defences, e.g. 34.cxb3 (34.Bxa8 bxc2+ 35.Rxc2 Bd3+ leads to mate) 34...Qc7 and there’s
no defence, since if 35.Bxa8 then Black executes his main threat of 35...Bd3+!, followed by mate in a
few moves.
Another idea is with 33...Qb6!, controlling d8 and with the idea of ...Qa5, 34.Bxa8 (34.Qh5 Ra7)
34...Rxa8, and there’s no good defence against 35...Qa5.

32...Ke7?? 33.Qg7!

And surprisingly Black is suddenly lost.

33...Be8

If 33...Rf8 then 34.Rd6!.

34.Rd6!

Now 34...Qxd6 35.Rxd6 Kxd6 was necessary, but it fails to save Black, as White would win
several pawns and maintain the attack after e.g. 36.Qxf6+ Kc7 (or 36...Kd7 37.Bxf7) 37.Qxe5+ Kb7
and, among other things, 38.Qd6.

34...Qc7

The continuation would be 35.Re6++.

1–0

Nakamura - Dubov, Magnus Carlsen Chess Tour, chess24.com 2020.

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 Show in Text Mode

Endgame puzzles
In the following 15 puzzles we shall test your endgame skills.
Puzzle 222

White to move

White has only one pawn for the piece, but he managed to draw – how?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By eliminating the two black pawns, in return for White’s three.

45.a5!

45.Kc4? would allow Black to advance his d-pawn and win, e.g. 45...Kb6 46.Kb4, and now there’s
time to play 46...d5! 47.a5+ Kc7 48.Kc5 d4, when this pawn forces the white king to give vital
ground and after 49.Kd5 Bh8 50.Kc4 Kd6 Black captures the white pawns in a few moves.
Instead of 46.Kb4, 46.Kd5 also loses to 46...Ka5 47.h8=Q Bxh8 48.Kxd6 Kxa4 49.Kc6 Bd4,
winning

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 45.a5! Kb7 46.b6

Clarifying the situation; simply waiting with 46.Ke6 and Kd5 also draws.

46...a6

Allowing White a protected passed pawn, but of course 46...axb6 47.axb6 Kxb6 48.h8=Q! is a
draw.

47.Ke4 Kc6 48.Kd3 d5 49.Ke2

And Black can make no progress; the black king is unable to leave the square of the b6-pawn in
order support the advance of the d5-pawn, because then one of the white pawns would queen;
meanwhile White can continue to play waiting moves.
½–½
Spielmann - Janowski, Ostend 1906.
Puzzle 223

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 White to move

The black pieces are awkwardly placed; how can White quickly take advantage of an overload?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: With the theme of deflection.

51.d7!

Deflecting one of the defenders of b6 in order to invade the black position decisively.

51...Kxd7

The other capture, 51...Rxd7, is also losing due to 52.Rxb6+ Kc7 53.Rb7+ Kd8 54.Rxd7+ Kxd7
55.Rb7+ and 56.Rxg7.

52.Rxb6 Rc7 53.Rd1+ Ke8 54.Rd5

And Black is unable to defend so many weak pawns.

1–0

Gligoric - Sánchez, Saltsjöbaden Interzonal 1952.

Puzzle 224

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 Black to move

White is threatening to draw by playing 53.Kg6; how can this be prevented?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Activity can be decisive in all types of endgame.

52...Nxf4!

Simplifying to a pawn ending with equal material, but where Black is able to exploit the activity of
his monarch.
In contrast, 52...Kf3? 53.Kg6 Kxf4 54.Kxg7 Kg5 55.h4+ is only a draw.

52...Nxf4! 53.Kxf4

And now?

53...g5+!

53...Kg2? 54.h4 Kh3 55.h5 leads to a draw.

54.Kf5 Kg3 55.Ke4 Kxh3 56.Kf3 Kh4

0–1

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 Astasio - Franco Ocampos, Elgoibar 2009.
Puzzle 225

White to move

There’s only one winning move here. What is it?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: It’s essential to neutralise the activity of the black king.

44.a4!

This is the pawn which will win the game.

Let’s review the mistaken alternatives:
44.Kb7? a5! 45.Kc6 Kxb2 46.a4 Kc3 47.Kb5 Kd4! 48.Kxa5 Kc5 is a draw.
44.b4? Kc3 45.b5 Kb4 46.Kc6 Ka5 also gives White nothing.

44.a4!

But after the move played, the pawn advances before White captures the pawn on a7 and this wins,
e.g. 44...Kb3 45.a5 Kb4 46.a6 Kb5 47.Kb7, or 44...Kxb2 45.Kb7 Kb3 46.a5 Kb4 47.a6 Kc5
48.Kxa7 Kc6 49.Kb8.

1–0

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 Milos - Franco Ocampos, Iberoamerican Championship, Ciudad de México 2010.
Puzzle 226

Black to move

White is about to capture on f5 and make a draw. How can this be prevented?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By seeking a zugzwang position.

66...Rf3!

Curiously this position is one of mutual zugzwang. If it were Black to move he would be unable to
win, because capturing on g3 leads to a theoretically drawn ending.

67.Rxf5+

67.Rh5 also loses after 67...Kg6 68.Rh8 Re3+!, forcing the king away before taking on g3 is the
most practical, 69.Kd4 (69.Kf4 Re4++) 69...Rxg3.

67...Kg6! 68.Rf4 Kg5 69.Ke4 Rxg3 70.Rf8 Ra3

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 This ending, with the white king cut off horizontally, is winning. If the monarch were on g2, h2,
etc., it would be a draw.

71.Rg8+ Kh4 72.Rh8+ Kg3 73.Rg8 Kh3 74.Rh8+ Kg2

0–1

Butti - Franco Ocampos, Paraguayan Championship, Asunción 2014.

Puzzle 227

White to move

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 This ending is winning for White. What’s the best ‘human’ move here?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Where should the rook be, when there’s a passed pawn?

55.Rd2!

Heading behind the passed pawn and winning easily.

55...Rg1

55...Rxd2 56.Kxd2 Kf6 loses after e.g. 57.Ke3 Ke5 58.c6 Kd6 59.Ke4 Kxc6 60.Kf5, etc.

56.Rc2

Now 56...Ra1 57.c6 Ra8 58.c7 Rc8 59.Ke4 leads to the capture of the pawns on g5 and h4 by
White’s king, and resistance is impossible.

1–0

Franco Ocampos - Barcenilla, Baku Olympiad 2016.

Puzzle 228

White to move

White is two pawns up, but often this isn’t enough to win when there are bishops of opposite

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colour.
White has already made great progress by invading with his king and putting pressure on c7. But
now he needs to find a winning plan to break Black’s defence, which is based on just shuffling the
king between f8 and f7.
Can you find the plan?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: The winning method is to bring about a zugzwang.

70.Be2!

The first step; the bishop must take an active part in breaching the black fortress.

70...Kf6 71.Ba6!

This is the second step; the bishop is heading for e6.

71...Kf7 72.Bc8 Kf6 73.Be6

And now we have the zugzwang; Black has to allow either 74.Ke7, followed by 75.f6, or 74.Kxc7,
winning easily in both cases.

1–0

Nepomniachtchi - Radjabov, Airthings Masters, chess24.com 2020.

Puzzle 229

289
 Black to move

The material is equal, but Black can create a passed pawn – how?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By means of a typical tactical idea, one that that you should include in your arsenal.

49...Bf3!

And one way or another, Black will gain a passed h-pawn.

50.Kxe5

After 50.gxf3 h3 the pawn is unstoppable.

The main point of the idea is that if 50.Ne3 then 50...Bxg2! 51.Nxg2 h3 and the h-pawn queens: if
52.Ne1 then Black first plays 52...Kg4! and then continues with ...h2.

50...Bxg2 51.f4+ Kg4 52.Ne3+ Kf3

White is unable to sacrifice the knight for the h-pawn.

0–1

Garrido - Pérez Candelario, Spanish Championship, Linares 2020.

Puzzle 230

290
 Black to move

How to make a draw?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Calculate the possible pawn endings precisely, paying particular attention to the theme of the
opposition, or else recall the theoretical endings you’ve previously studied.

83...Kc6!

Of course Black should eschew 83...Rxd5+?? 84.Kxd5, when the white king penetrates and the a5-
pawn is doomed after e.g. 84...Kb6 85.Kd6 Kb7 86.Kc5 Ka6 87.Kc6 Ka7 88.Kb5.

83...Kc6! 84.Rxd6+ Kxd6

In contrast, now Black has the opposition, the white monarch is unable to penetrate and the extra
pawn is impossible to convert.
½–½
Suárez Uriel - Ibarra Jerez, Spanish Team Championship, Linares 2020.
Puzzle 231

291
 Black to move

How is it possible to make a draw?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: This is an ending which you shouldn’t have found complicated, as we’ve already seen one
similar.

49...Kh8!

The only way, based on the stalemate resource.

49...g6?? loses the g6-pawn and the game after 50.Kf6; this ending is already familiar to you, isn’t
it?

49...Kh8! 50.g6

It’s worth noting that if we move the whole position one file to the left, with the pawns now on the
f-file, this resource wouldn’t exist, because there would be no stalemate and the black position would
just be lost.
½–½
Caruana - Tari, Norway Chess, Stavanger 2020.
Puzzle 232

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 White to move

White is two pawns down, but it’s still possible to draw – how?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Even though White is two pawns down, this rook ending with an a-pawn and g-pawn (or h-
pawn) is drawn, on condition that the a-pawn has advanced to a2, the defender’s rook is behind the
pawn and the defender’s king stands on g2 or h2.
But it’s essential to stay alert; as soon as Black’s king protects the a2-pawn he is threatening to
release his rook from a1, and that’s precisely the case here.

67.Rb7+!

Forcing the king to move away from the a-pawn.

67...Kc3

The black king has no safe shelter from checks; it should be noted that if the a-pawn were still on
a3 the ending would be winning, because the king could hide on a2 and Black could then free the
rook.

68.Rc7+ Kd4 69.Ra7!

Now White should move the rook back to the a-file, to prevent the black rook from freeing itself,
and then wait.

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 69...g3 70.Ra8!

Of course not 70.Kxg3?? Rg1+.

Black continued moving back and forth, but the defence is simple and the game was drawn in 83
moves.
Shankland - Swiercz, US Championship, lichess.org 2020.
Puzzle 233

White to move

What to do about the attacked pawn?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Take advantage of the placement of the black rook on the b-file.

67.Ra5+!

In contrast, 67.a5? loses half a point after 67...Rb3.

67.Ra5+! Kb8 68.Rb5+!

Achieving a winning pawn ending.

68...Rxb5 69.axb5

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 But not 69.Kxb5?? Kb7, which is a draw.

69...Ka7

Once again reaching a winning endgame which is familiar to us; the h-pawns are irrelevant.

70.Kc7 Ka8 71.Kb6! Kb8 72.Ka6

White wins after 72...Ka8 73.b6 Kb8 74.b7.

1–0

Balakrishnan - Mishra, Charlotte 2020.

Puzzle 234

White to move

The material is equal, but White has a winning position – how?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: With a recipe that we’ve already seen in a similar ending, exploiting the greater activity of
the white monarch.
Deflection.

51.a6!

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 White would like to exchange the rooks and all the queenside pawns, in order to reach a pawn
ending which will be winning, because the white king will be the first to reach the kingside and
capture the black pawns.

51...Rf3+

Black rejects 51...Rxa6 52.Rxa6 Kxa6 53.Kxc4, when White would achieve the scenario described
above, one which is hopeless for Black. But the move played offers no salvation either.

52.Kd4 Rd3+ 53.Ke4 Rd8 54.a7 Ra8 55.Kd4 Kb4

55...Rd8+ 56.Kc3 Ra8 57.Ra1 also loses, for instance 57...Kc5 58.Ra5+ Kb6 59.Ra4 Kb5 60.Rb4+!
Ka5 61.Rb1 and the c-pawn is lost and with the black king on the a-file capturing on a7 is similar to
what we’ve looked at already: 61...Rxa7 62.Ra1+ Kb6 63.Rxa7 Kxa7 64.Kxc4, etc.
Instead of 60...Ka5, playing 60...Kc5 changes nothing; White plays 61.Rxc4+ Kb5 (or 61...Kb6
62.Ra4) 62.Rc7.

56.Rb2+! Ka3 57.Rb7

The c-pawn is doomed, and all the kingside pawns will also fall.

1–0

Berdnyk - Barchuk, Ukrainian Women’s Championship, Kherson 2020.

Puzzle 235

White to move

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 White can’t do anything to win the pawn on b4, but it’s still possible to win the game – how?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By creating a passed pawn.

56.e5! dxe5

Of course if 56...fxe5 then 57.f6 wins.

Now the d-pawn distracts the black king and allows the white monarch to break through to support
the passed pawn.
It’s unnecessary to capture the b4-pawn, even though this would give White two passed pawns.

57.Kc5 Ka6

Or 57...e4 58.d6 e3 59.d7 e2 60.d8=Q+ followed by mate.

58.Kc6

And the d-pawn queens.

58.Kxb4 takes longer, but also works.

1–0

Osmak - Martynkova, Ukrainian Women’s Championship, Kherson 2020.

Puzzle 236

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 Black to move

The pawn structure in the centre and on the kingside is fixed, which in principle favours the knight.
Black also has an extra pawn and is able to capture a second one.
How should Black play?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: A material advantage doesn’t always win. In this case it’s due to an important weakness.

47...Nd8!

Despite appearances, Black needs to think about defence. The pawn on h6 is much more valuable
than the one on a5; both 47...Nxa5?
and 47...Kxa5 lose to 48.Bf8 and White’s h-pawn will queen.

47...Nd8! 48.Bd6

Preventing 48...Kxa5 due to 49.Bc7+.

48...Nf7 49.Bc7! Kc6 50.Bb6 Kd7 51.Bc5 Ke8 52.Kb4 Nd8 53.Ka4 Nc6 54.Bb6

And neither side can disturb the balance.

54...Ke7 55.Kb3 Kf7 56.Kc3 Ke8 57.Kb3 Kd7 58.Kc3 Ke8

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½–½
García Martín - Cramling, P, Spanish Team Championship, Linares 2020.

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 Show in Text Mode

Puzzles based on exploiting a tactical weakness

In the final ten positions of this chapter your task is to identify the opponent’s tactical weakness and
take appropriate action.
Puzzle 237

White to move

Black’s kingside is weak and he is missing his dark-squared bishop. How can this be exploited?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By creating a tactical weakness on a dark square – which one?

21.d6!

The tactical weakness created is on f6 and White gains access to it with devastating effect.

21...Qg7

None of 21...exd6 22.Nf6+, 21...Nd5 22.Ng5 Qg7 23.Bxd5 and 21...f5 22.dxe7! improve the

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situation for Black.

22.dxe7 Rb8 23.Nf6+ Kh8 24.Nxe8 Rxe8 25.Qb4

White has a winning position and won in 47 moves.

Pirc - Stoltz, Saltsjöbaden Interzonal 1952.
Puzzle 238

White to move

Black has just played 28...Nf5, defending the pawn on d6.

How can this be shown to be an error, by highlighting a tactical weakness.

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: The tactical weakness is the situation of the black rooks.

29.Rxf5+!

With this temporary exchange sacrifice first of all White regains the lost pawn.

29...exf5 30.Nxd6+ Ke7 31.Nb5

The culmination, exploiting the fact that the rooks are at the mercy of a knight fork.

31...b6 32.Nxc7 Rxc7 33.Rxb6

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 And now White has an extra pawn and good chances of victory; he won in 41 moves.
Pachman - Vaitonis, Saltsjöbaden Interzonal 1952.
Puzzle 239

Black to move

Black succeeds in exploiting the power of his passed pawn thanks to the weakness of the white king
– how?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By first enabling the black queen to penetrate.

37...Rd3!

Destroying the defences of the white position. The immediate 37...Qe2+ 38.Rf2 achieves nothing.

37...Rd3! 38.Rxd3

Neither 38.Qxd3 Rxd3 39.Rxd3 Qe2+ nor 38.Qc2 Qe2+ 39.Rf2 Rg3+ saves White.

38...Qe2+ 39.Kg1 Rxd3 40.Qb8+ Kh7

0–1

Ståhlberg - Szabo, Candidates Tournament, Zürich 1953.

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 Puzzle 240

Black to move

White has a serious tactical weakness. What is it and how can Black exploit it?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: It’s the weak back rank.

21...Nb4!

The knight is untouchable and Black captures a very important pawn.

22.Re3

22.Rd2 was the alternative, sacrificing the c3-pawn, with an equally unpleasant defence ahead.

22...Nxa2 23.h3 Bxf3 24.gxf3 Nxc3 25.Bd7 Rd8 26.Bf5 g6 27.Bd3 Nd1

0–1

Geller - Keres, Candidates Tournament, Zürich 1953.

Puzzle 241

303
 White to move

White can gain a winning advantage by making use of two tactical themes – how?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: The tactical themes here are the situation of the black knights and a discovered attack.

20.e5!

This pawn sacrifice exploits the position of both knights and ‘attracts’ the black queen to a square
where it’s vulnerable to a decisive discovered attack.

20...Qxe5 21.Ndf5!

This discovery is the winning point.

21...Nxf5

21...Qxb2 22.Nxe7+ Kh8 23.Nxc8 was no better.

22.Nxf5

22.Bxe5 Nxe3 23.Qd3 was also winning.

22...Qxb2 23.Nxe7+ Kh8 24.Nxc8 Bxc8 25.Qd3 Bb7 26.Rfe1 Bd5 27.Rc2 Qb3 28.Qxb3 Bxb3
29.Rc7

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 And White won the ending.

1–0

Franco Ocampos - Suárez Pousa, Galician League, Mondariz 2009.

Puzzle 242

White to move

How can White cope with so many threats by Black?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: “It’s not the pieces that leave the board which are important, but those that remain.”

21.Qxd8+!

Sacrificing the queen in order to exploit his passed pawn.

Of course not 21.fxe5? Rxd2 22.Nxd2 Bd5, or 22...Bxg2 23.Kxg2 Qd7 24.Nf3 Qc6 and the pawn
is neutralised after 25.Rd1 Rc8.

21.Qxd8+! Rxd8 22.Nxe5 Bxg2

22...Bd5 23.Bxd5 exd5 24.Rd4 and 25.c6 is not much different.

23.Kxg2 Rd2 24.c6

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 Black has no threats and the pawn is decisive; if 24...Qc7 then 25.Rb1, followed by Rb7, c7, etc.

1–0

Franco Ocampos - López Colón, Mondariz 2012.

Puzzle 243

White to move

White can take advantage of a tactical weakness in Black’s position. What is it, and how can Black
exploit it?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: It’s the loose position of the e3-bishop which allows a double attack that wins material.

23.Rxe5! dxe5 24.Qd3! f5 25.Qxe3 Qxd5

And White was able to convert his material advantage.

Here he could play, for instance, 26.Qb6 Kh8 27.Rd1 Qf7 28.Bg1, followed by Bc5, with a
crushing advantage.

1–0

Nakamura - Nepomniachtchi, Speed 2019, chess.com 2020.

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 Puzzle 244

Black to move

All the black pieces are active; how can Black exploit this situation?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: Thanks to the overload on the d1-rook.

25...Ng4+!

Exploiting the unfortunate placement of the h1-rook and the overload on the d1-rook.

26.fxg4

If 26.Kg1 both 26...Rxd4 27.Rxd4 Bxf3 and 26...c5 win.

26...Bxh1 27.axb6 axb6 28.gxf5 gxf5 29.Nxf5 Rxd1 30.Nxd1

With a decisive material advantage, and “the rest is a question of technique.”

30...Be4 31.Nde3 Kd7 32.g4 Ra8 33.Ng3 Bg6 34.Ngf5 Bxf5 35.gxf5 Kd6 36.Kf3 Ke5 37.Kg4

0–1

Nakamura - Aronian, Airthings Masters chess24.com 2020.

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 Puzzle 245

Black to move

Black managed to create a decisive double threat – how?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By first depriving the white king of an escape square.

63...d4+!

63...Nf4 64.Rg3 Re2+ 65.Kd4 was also good, but less strong.

63...d4+! 64.Ke4

Now 64.cxd4 is met with 64...Nf4.

64...Re2+

Followed by 65...Nf4+, winning the h3-rook.

0–1

Nepomniachtchi - Firouzja, Carlsen Inv, chess24.com 2020.

Puzzle 246

308
 White to move

White is two pawns up, but right now that’s not so important. How can White gain a winning
advantage?

Show/Hide Solution

Hint: By exploiting the exposed situation of the black king.

36.Rxe3!

It was possible to play 36.g4 Nxg4, but here, not 37.Qc1+? Be3! 38.Rxe3?? Qxh2++, but 37.Bf3!,
which was another, less simple, way to win; now 37...Ne3 loses to 38.Rxe3! Bxe3 39.Qg2.

36.Rxe3! Bxe3 37.Qe4

With a decisive double threat, attacking the bishop and threatening 38.Qh4++.

1–0

Narciso - Cheparinov, Barbera del Valles 2020.

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 Show in Text Mode

Chapter 4
29 challenges

In the final chapter there will be 29 exercises, practically without any hints.
The majority are more complicated and will be exercises for which you can score points, both for
selecting the right moves and replying correctly to questions about the tactical themes and/or the
tactical weaknesses relevant to the puzzle.
Several puzzles have more than one exercise and are almost like a training session, as if you were
playing a game.
At the end there’s a small evaluation table.
Puzzle 247

Black to move

Black played:

59...Rxf2??

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 And was mated; the material disadvantage is enormous, but Black could have drawn.
We know that in situations like this, there are almost always only two possibilities of salvation:
1) What resource should we turn to in this case?
2) What move should we start with?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer:
1) The saving resource is the stalemate theme (1 point). Although it’s necessary to discover several
important moves, the next move is forced.
2) It was a draw with 59...gxh2+! (1 point); of course if 60.Kh1 then 60...Rd1+! with a draw.
Exercise: It’s rather more complicated, but 60.Kf1 h1=Q+ 61.Rg1 also leads to a draw – how?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer:
61...Rxf2+! is necessary (2 points), and after 62.Kxf2 Qh2+ 63.Kxf3 we reach another critical
position.

Exercise: What to play now?

Show/Hide Solution

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 Answer:
63...Qg2+! (2 points), once again taking advantage of the possible stalemate, 64.Kxf4, and now
that the white queen controls the h2-square Black can play e.g. 64...Qe4+! and the white king has no
escape from checks and the black monarch is in a stalemate position.
Bacrot - Khademalsharieh, Capechecs Online 2020.
Puzzle 248

White to move

White’s bishop on g5 and pawn on h5 are both under attack, but he has a pawn on the sixth rank
and great numerical superiority on the kingside; how can he exploit these advantages?
1) What tactical theme is present?
2) What move should White choose?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer:
The tactical theme is the pin. (1 point).
The way to achieve it is by sacrificing one of the bishops.

45.Bh7+!

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 (3 points). On the other hand 45.Bxh6 Nxf5+ 46.Rxf5 Rd6! 47.Rf6 c3 achieves nothing, as the
white pawns aren’t dangerous.

45.Bh7+! Kxh7 46.Bf6

Threatening not only to win material after 47.Rxg7+, followed by 48.Rd7+, but also to mate after
e.g. 48.Rc7+, followed by Rc8+ and Rh8++.

46...c3

The king can’t escape; if 46...Kg8 White plays 47.Rxg7+ Kf8 (if 47...Kh8 then White has the
above-mentioned mate starting with 48.Rc7+ Kg8 49.Rc8+) 48.Rh7.

47.Rxg7+ Kh8 48.Rc7+

And our familiar mate follows.

1–0

Korobov - Van Foreest, J Spanish Team Championship, Linares 2020.

Puzzle 249

White to move

White played 31.Rf6, and eventually won.

But he had something rather better than that – what was it?

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 Show/Hide Solution

Opening up the kingside with 31.Bxh6! was decisive. (3 points).

After 31...Kxh6 32.hxg6+ Kxg6 33.Rf6+ White delivers mate.
If Black plays 31...g5, then after 32.Rf6 the bishop is safe and White plans to bring his rook from a2
to the f-file, with a decisive attack e.g. 32...Qb6 33.Ra1 Qb2 (33...e3 would also be answered with
34.Raf1) 34.Raf1 Qxc2 35.Qxc2 Bxc2 36.Bf8!, winning.
Salgado López - Moreno Ruiz, Spanish Championship, Linares 2020.
Puzzle 250

White to move

White has an extra pawn, but for now this is less important than the fact that the black king is very
weak; on the other hand, Black has a strong threat against f2.
What would you play?

Show/Hide Solution

With a manoeuvre which allows an attack with all the pieces against the black king.

33.Rxe4!

314
 (3 points). This eliminates the opponent’s strongest piece in order to be able to infiltrate with the
queen and the knight.
This is stronger than 33.Rf5 Bxh4 34.Kg2 (2 points), which is also advantageous, but less direct.

33.Rxe4! dxe4

Exercise: And now?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer:

34.Qc3+!

(2 points). The queen transfers to the kingside with a gain of tempo.

34...Bf6

Black is forced to give up control of d6; if 34...Kh7? then 35.Qg3 wins immediately.

35.Qg3+ Kh8

Exercise: What’s the third step?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer:

36.Nd6

(2 points). The knight joins in the attack, also with a gain of tempo, by attacking the rook. White
was already attacking with his queen and bishop, not forgetting the passed pawn on e6, so now
White’s numerical superiority on the kingside is enormous and Black will be unable to defend his
monarch.

36...Rb8 37.Qg6!

Threatening mate and attacking the bishop, so that Black is forced to remove the only obstacle in
the way of the e6-pawn’s advance.

37...Bg7 38.Nf5 Qb2 39.e7 e3 40.Nxe3 Qa1+ 41.Kg2 Qxa4 42.h5

1–0

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 Keymer - Parvanyan, Tegernsee 2020.
Puzzle 251

White to move

There are two menacing black passed pawns which will be strong in an endgame; but there will be
no endgame.
1) What tactical weaknesses do you see in the black camp?
2) What tactical weakness did White exploit?
3) What would you play?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer:
The most important tactical weakness is that of the black king. (1 point).
The tactical weakness to be exploited is the overload on the black pieces. (1 point).
Two pieces are overloaded: the e7-knight, which must protect the pawn on g6 and hinder the
advance d4-d5, and the d7-rook, which must also defend against d4-d5 as well as protecting the black
knight.
There are two clear ways to win; one is the move...

36.d5!

316
 (3 points). A decisive blow; both 36...Rxd5 37.Qxe7 and 36...Nxd5 37.Rxg6+ are winning.
The other way is even simpler: 36.Rg4! was winning (3 points), and there’s no way to prevent Rh4,
winning.

36.d5! Rc8 37.d6

Eliminating the defender of g6; further resistance is impossible.

37...Rf8 38.dxe7

1–0

Gligorić - Smyslov, Candidates Tournament, Yugoslavia 1959.

Puzzle 252

White to move

White exploited a black tactical weakness in a simple manner.

1) What is it?
2) What would you play?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer:

317
 There are several attractive moves, such as 24.Nh5 (1 point), but there’s a way to obtain an
immediate material advantage.
White exploits Black’s lack of a dark-squared bishop to exploit the loose position of the knight on
h6, which is a tactical weakness.
For this White first attracts a black piece to an unfavourable square.
For either correct response (tactical weakness or attraction), receive (1 point); for naming both,
receive (2 points).

24.Ba3!

By forcing the rook to move to a square that favours White (2 points).

Also (2 points) for the move order 24.Bd4 Rc7 25.Bc5, which has the same effect.

24.Ba3! Rff7

Exercise: What’s the key move now?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer:

25.Qh5!

(1 point). Winning material, since if 25...Kg7 then 26.Qg5+ Kh8 27.Qxh6.

25...b4 26.Bxb4 Qd8

1–0

Tomashevsky - Nepomniachtchi, Razuvaev Memorial, chess.com 2020.

Puzzle 253

318
 White to move

Black’s activity on the kingside is very strong, but there’s a defence.

1) What tactical resource does White have available?
2) How would you begin your defence?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer:
The reply to the question about which tactical resource to use to defend is given further down.

41.Rg4!

(3 points). This is the only way to defend. The target is the point g7; there’s no time for e.g.
41.Qd7? due to 41...Nxf2 42.Qxf7 Ng4+ and Black wins.

41.Rg4! Nxf2

Exercise: 41...Bh5 is impossible – why?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Because Black is mated on g7 after 42.Bf8! Bxg4 43.Qe7, or 42.Qd7!, followed by
43.Bf8 (2 points).

319
 Exercise: What’s the key to White’s defensive idea?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer:

42.Rxg7+!

(2 points). And the game ends in a draw.

For indicating that the response to the first question is to exploit the scanty defences of the black
king and set up a perpetual check, receive (2 points).

42...Kxg7 43.Qf8+ Kh7 44.Qxf7+ Kh8 45.Qxf6+ Kg8 46.Qg6+ Kh8

½–½
Salwe - Mieses, Ostend 1906.
Puzzle 254

White to move

White is the exchange and two pawns down, but isn’t worse.
1) What’s the greatest defect in the black position?
2) What would you play?

320
 Show/Hide Solution

Answer:
The greatest defect is, clearly, the weakness of the black king. (1 point).

27.Qa1!

(2 points). Of course it’s essential for White to retain his queen; its remote location is illusory,
because it can quickly come back into play along the back rank.

27...Nb2

Trying to relieve the pressure, but now there’s not even a material advantage.
There was no defence, for instance after 27...Kg8 there are various strong moves, such as the
simple 28.Bxf6.
But the best move is 28.Re2!, preparing the entrance of the white queen. Then after 28...Qa5 White
has 29.Qf1 Qxa3 30.Bf7+ Kf8 31.Bxd5, winning.
The alternative 28...Qf4 loses to 29.Rf2! Qh4 30.Bg6, followed by Bxf6; the black king can’t fend
off the attack of the four white pieces.
In the event of a defensive try such as 27...Rh7 White could play 28.Re2 Qa5 (or 28...Qf4 29.Rf2)
29.Qf1, with lines similar to what we’ve already seen.

28.Bxb2 Rh7

There’s no time for 28...Rxc2 owing to 29.Re8+, with mate in two moves.

29.Bxf6 d4 30.Re2 Qa5 31.Bxd4

The engines indicate that 31.Be7+ wins more quickly, but the move played, opening lines and
preparing the entrance of the queen, is more than sufficient.

31...Qd5 32.Qf1+ Kg8 33.Qf6 Rd7

Allowing 34.Qh8++, but there was no good defence against 34.Qg6+.

1–0

Warmerdam - Di Benedetto, Vergani Cup, Villorba 2021.

Puzzle 255

321
 Black to move

Black is a pawn down, but has compensation in the form of his strong passed pawn on d3 and
White’s exposed position on the kingside.
I propose two ideas for you to evaluate:
Eliminate the bishop immediately with 34...Nxd2, or maintain the tension with a move which is
generally useful, giving the king an escape square with 34...h6.
What would you choose?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer:

34...h6?

Too optimistic; although Black’s position looks attractive, in reality he can’t aspire to more than
equality, given that his knight is rather out of play on b3 and can’t improve its position.
The correct move was 34...Nxd2! (3 points), and Black is fine; his passed d-pawn is strong, forcing
White to hinder its advance. White’s queenside majority is under restraint, while his kingside
majority is sheltering his king, so it’s not clear that opening the game would favour White.
After 35.Qxd2 Rf8, followed by ...Rd8, Black has no problems; the passed pawn ties White down.
Exchanging rooks gives no advantage either; after 35.Re8+ Rf8 36.Rxf8+ Kxf8 37.Qxd2 Qd4+
38.Kg2 Qe4+ 39.Kf2 Black can continue with 39...h6 or 39...b6, fixing the c4-pawn, followed by

322
...Kf7 and waiting, as White can do nothing active.

34...h6?

Exercise: Why did Black reject 34...h6?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer:

35.Re8+!

(3 points). Because now White retains his bishop, which becomes a strong piece, and he neutralises
Black’s passed pawn.
Of course not immediately 35.Bc3?? In view of 35...d2 36.Re8+ Rf8!.

35...Kh7?

This loses quickly; 35...Rf8 was preferable, with the possible continuation 36.Re7 Qd4 (or 36...Qd6
37.Bc3 Rf7 38.Re8+ Rf8 39.Rxf8+ Qxf8 40.Qxd3 Qxf4 41.Kg2, with an extra pawn and a strong
bishop) 37.Qxd4 Nxd4 38.Kf2, with ideas of 39.Rxb7 or 39.Ke3, with great advantage.

36.Qe4+! g6

Exercise: What’s the decisive blow now?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer:

37.Bc3!

(1 point). And there’s no defence; this wins more quickly than 37.Qe5 Qd4+.

37...Rg7 38.Bxg7 d2

Of course 38...Kxg7 and 38...Qxg7 would both allow 39.Re7, winning.

39.Rh8+

The continuation would be 39...Kxg7 40.Qe5+ Kf7 41.Rh7+ Kf8 42.Qh8++.

1–0

323
 Ponkratov - Simantsev, Lozovatsky Memorial, Chelyabinsk 2021.
Puzzle 256

White to move

The material is equal, but not the position.

1) What’s Black’s serious tactical weakness?
2) How can this be exploited?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer:
Black’s serious weakness is the centralised queen, which is almost trapped. (2 points).

26.Nd5!

(2 points). Closing the d-file; the threat is 27.Bc3, which would have followed 26...Bxd5, for
example.

26...c4

Providing the queen with a line of retreat in the event of 27.Bc3, along the g1-a7 diagonal.
Exercise: How did White continue?

324
Show/Hide Solution

Answer:

27.Be3

(1 point). And, with his next move, White wins material.

27...Qb2 28.Rb1

Black will gain no compensation for the exchange.

28...Qxc2 29.Rxb8 Bf7 30.dxc4 Qxc4 31.Qb1

And White converted his exchange advantage.

Pilnik - Pachman, Saltsjöbaden Interzonal 1952.
Puzzle 257

Black to move

There is very little material left, and the pawn on g6 is about to fall.
It would seem that the game should end in a draw, but Black found a way to win.
1) What’s the tactical theme on which Black relied to convert his advantage?

325
 2) What did Black play?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer:
The tactical theme which allows Black to retain the g6-pawn, and win, is the pin. (2 points).

68...Rh1!

(2 points). With the threat of 69...Rg1.

68...Rh6 69.Bf4 achieves nothing.

68...Rh1! 69.Rxg6?

Shortening Black’s task.

69.Bf2 was better, but not enough to save the game, since it leaves the g6-pawn ‘alive’ and Black
would eventually be able to convert it after e.g. 69...Rh2 70.Bh4 Rg2+ 71.Kf4 Rd3 72.Rc6+ Kd5
73.Ra6, and now, among other things, 73...Rg1, with the threat of 74...Rd4+, etc.
Exercise: What’s wrong with the move played?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer:

69...Rxg3+!

(1 point). Winning a rook after 70.Kxg3 Rg1+.

0–1

Heinechen, Jo - Franco Ocampos, Paraguayan Championship, Asunción 2015.

The final 11 puzzles are rather more complex.
Puzzle 258

326
 Black to move

The position is not a simple one. White has a strong threat.

1) What is it?
2) What’s the best defence?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer:
The threat is clear: 29.Bc6 (1 point).

28...a6?

This defends the pawn but, as sometimes happens, not the position.
The correct move was 28...Bd8! (4 points), and in the event of 29.Bxd8 Rxd8 Black has no
problems and the chances are equal; more ambitious is 29.Bb4, renewing the threat of Bc6, but after
29...a5! 30.Bd6 b4! 31.cxb4 (if 31.Bc6 then 31...Ra7) 31...axb4 32.Bxb4 Rxd4, Black is holding
comfortably.
Exercise: 29.Bc6? would be a mistake – why?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Due to 29...Bxa5! (2 points), and after 30.Bxd7 Bxc3 Black, with his two passed pawns

327
on the queenside, is better.
That’s not the only move; 29...Rxd4! is also sufficient (2 points), and after 30.Bxd8 (30.cxd4?
Bxa5, followed by 31...Bd2 and ...c3, is worse) 30...Rxd8 31.Bxb5 Bd3, it’s White who will have to
fight for equality.

28...a6? 29.Bc6!

Winning the exchange, without conceding any pawns for it.

29...Bd8

If 29...Ra7 then 30.Bb6.

30.Bxd7 Bxa5 31.Rc1

1–0

Menchik - Reischer, Women’s World Championship, Buenos Aires, 1939.

Puzzle 259

White to move

White has an isolated queen’s pawn, which for the moment is unimportant, as his pieces are all very
active; the rather shaky black kingside is also a factor.
White needs to find a way to break into Black’s position.

328
 1) What tactical theme did White employ in order to fight for the advantage?
2) What did he play?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer:
By means of a pin. (1 point).

61.Rf1!

(2 points). With the threat of 62.g3.

61...Kh7

This loses without a fight, but 61...h5 62.Qf3 was no solution either; in addition to 63.g3 White
threatens 63.hxg5, followed by 64.Qxf4, and if 62...Nd5 63.Qxf6+ Nxf6 64.Nxc6 White wins more
material.

62.g3 h5 63.hxg5 hxg4 64.gxf6

1–0

Gaprindashvili - Sorokina, Women’s World Senior Championship, Marianske Lazne 2016.

Puzzle 260

329
 White to move

The position is untypical; White has an extra pawn but his king is in the centre. Nevertheless, he
would like to increase his advantage.
1) What tactical weakness did White try to exploit?
2) Name the tactical theme that White used on his next move.
3) What did he play?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: White would like to exploit the exposed position of the black king (1 point), using the
open h-file in combination with the b4-bishop, which allows White to be optimistic, despite the
remoteness of the b1-rook, which for now is unable to link up with the attack.
The tactical theme employed on White’s next move is obstruction. (1 point).

23.f5!

(3 points). Obstructing the defensive tasks currently being carried out by Black’s rook and queen,
with the idea of continuing with 24.Qh4 or 24.Qh3.
Of course not immediately 23.Qh4?? Rh5.

23.f5! Rxf5

23...gxf5, opening the g-file as well, doesn’t inspire confidence; White can continue with 24.Qh4
(or first 24.Kf2) 24...f6 and now, among other things, 25.Kf2, preparing to bring the b1-rook into the
attack; Black has no counterplay and the plan is to play 25...-- 26.Qh7+ Kf7 27.Rh6, and if 27...f4
then 28.Qg6+ Kg8 29.Rbh1, and now that the distant rook is in play the attack is unstoppable.

24.Qh3!

Seeking more than the advantage resulting from 24.Nxf5 Qxf5 25.Qh2 f6 26.c4, intending Bc3.

24...f6

Threatening to move the f5-rook, now that the monarch has f7 as an escape square.

25.Nxf5 gxf5

25...Qxf5 26.Qxf5 would be a most unpleasant endgame for Black.

26.Qh7+ Kf7

330
 Threatening 27...Rh8.

27.Rh6! Be4 28.Qg6+ Ke6 29.Rh7 Rg8

Exercise: There are several good moves now, such as 30.Ba3, to play Rd4, but there’s something
stronger and more attractive; what did White play?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer:

30.Bf8!

(3 points). With this exchange of bishops the position is opened up and soon all the white pieces
will be attacking.

30...Rxf8 31.Rxg7 Qa4 32.Rb4

This is a decisive reason for opting for 30.Bf8; the rook joins in the attack.

32...Qc6 33.Rxa7 Rh8 34.Qf7+

And White mates quickly.

1–0

So - Vachier-Lagrave, Airthings Masters chess24.com 2020.

331
 Puzzle 261

White to move

White has sacrificed a piece for the attack.

1) What tactical theme did White use to continue?
2) What did he play?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: The tactical theme employed is line clearance. (1 point).

It’s essential to hurry; there’s no time for 42.Bb2 owing to e.g. 42...Rd1 43.Qxf2 e3 44.Qf4 e2.

42.f7!

(4 points). This move opens lines against the black king with a gain of tempo; this is more
important than losing the strong attacking pawn.

42...Qxg6

Neither 42...Qxf7 43.Rf6 nor 42...Qf5 43.Bg7+! Kxf7 44.Rf6+ are any better.

43.Qxg6 Bxf7 44.Qg7+ Ke8

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 Exercise: Materially the position is slightly in White’s favour, but his king is exposed, the e4-pawn
is threatening to advance and the position can become complicated. With his next move White took a
great step forward – what did he play?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer:

45.h5!

(2 points). By taking advantage of the exposure of the black king, this pawn will cost Black a piece
and it will all soon be over.

45...Rd5

Of course, 45...Bxh5 loses to 46.Qh8+.

46.h6 Ng4+

46...Rxe5, with the idea of answering 47.Qxe5 with ...Ng4+, doesn’t work, because 47.Qxe5 is
with check.

47.Qxg4 Rxe5 48.h7

1–0

Franco Ocampos - Martínez López, D, Lorca 2014.

333
 Puzzle 262

Black to move

Black is a pawn down, but this is scarcely important.

1) What tactical weakness did Black exploit?
2) What did he play?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer:
The weakness is that White’s kingside is very exposed. (1 point).

32...Rxb4!

(3 points). The first step in a brilliant attack, exploiting the power of the g4-knight, which will soon
be joined by fresh attacking forces.

33.cxb4

Exercise: What’s the next step?

Show/Hide Solution

334
Answer:

33...Qa7+!

(1 point). Reinforcements start to arrive.

34.Kh1

34.Kf1 can be met with same reply.

Exercise: What reply is that?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer:

34...Nxe4!

(3 points). The final blow, threatening 35...Ng3++, which forces White to sacrifice the queen.

35.Qxe4 Nf2+ 36.Kh2 Nxe4 37.Rxe4

The weakness of the white king remains, and Black wins by attack.

37...Rc2 38.b5 Qf2 39.Rg1 Qxf3

0–1

335
 So - Nakamura, Speed 2019 chess.com 2020.
Puzzle 263

Black to move

White is no less than a rook up, but his king is exposed and his pieces are uncoordinated.
What did Black play in order to try to prove that the price paid was worth it?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer:

24...Bxd5!

(3 points). First of all Black eliminates White’s strongest piece, leaving himself with the strong
knight on f4.

25.exd5

Exercise: How did Black continue?

Show/Hide Solution

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 Answer:

25...Qxa3

(1 point). As we know, the queen and the knight can form a very strong tandem; now there is a
threat of mate, starting with 26...Qxf3+.

26.d6 Qb2

Threatening mate in two moves.

There were several very strong queen moves; 26...Qa2 also works, with the same threat, as does
26...Qb3, attacking the rook on d1, with an eye on the d3-square.

27.Qe4

In the event of 27.Qxa6 Black can play 27...Qg2+ (27...Qc2, first forcing the rook to leave the d-
file, is another possibility) 28.Ke1 Qxh1+ (Black is no longer material down) 29.Kd2 Qg2+ (to bring
the queen nearer, but 29...Qxh2+ is similar) 30.Kc3 Ne2+ 31.Kc4 Nc1! (or 31...Nf4) leads to a
similar outcome to the game; the white monarch can’t withstand the attack by the black pieces, and
32.Rxc1?? loses to 32...Qe2+.

27...Qg2+ 28.Ke1 Qxh1+ 29.Kd2 Qxh2+ 30.Kc3

If 30.Kc1 then 30...Ne2+ 31.Kb2 Rb8+ (or 31...Nd4+ 32.Ka3 Rc8) 32.Ka3 Nc1, mating quickly.

30...Ne2+!

Improving the placement of the knight even more.

31.Kc4 Nd4

The centralised knight is very strong; the idea is restart the attack with 32...Qa2+.

32.d7 Qa2+ 33.Kc5 Qa3+ 34.Kb6 Qb3+

The white king is unable to escape mate after e.g. 35.Ka7 Qb8+ 36.Kxa6 Qb5+ 37.Ka7 Qa5+
38.Kb7 Qxa8+, now with a decisive material advantage and with forced mate to follow after 39.Kb6
Rb8+ 40.Kc5 Qa3+ 41.Kc4 Rb4+ 42.Kd5 Rb5+ 43.Kc4 Rc5++.

0–1

Shankland - So, US Championship, lichess.org 2020.

Puzzle 264

337
 White to move

The ending is winning for White, thanks to his two connected passed pawns, which can be
supported by his bishop and king.
1) There is a detail in the position which favours Black’s defensive task, or at least complicates
White’s attempt to win.
2) What did White play?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer:
It’s essential to take care not to win material but then be left with no possibility of victory, due to
having the ‘wrong bishop’ with respect to the queening square of the h-pawn. (2 points).

62.Kc5!

(3 points). Preserving both connected passed pawns; now there’s no good defence against 63.Bg4+.
In contrast, 62.Bg4+? Kxd6 63.c8=Q Rxc8 64.Bxc8 Ke7 is a draw, due to the “wrong bishop”;
similarly with the move order 62.c8=Q+ Rxc8 63.Bg4+.

62.Kc5! Ra5+ 63.Kc6 Ra8 64.Bg4+ Ke5 65.d7

1–0

338
 Babiy - Petrova, Ukrainian Women’s Championship, Kherson 2020.
Puzzle 265

Black to move

Black is a pawn down.

1) What tactical weakness in White’s position did Black identify and exploit?
2) What did he play?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer:
Attacking the white monarch with almost all the pieces. (2 points).

14...Qxc7!

(3 points). The black attack gathers pace after the exchange of queens, something which doesn’t
happen often; this is the only strong move in the position; e.g. if 14...Qe8, preventing the queen
exchange, White can play 15.Bh6!, eliminating the strong g7-bishop.
This is also better than 14...Rc8 15.Qxd8 Rfxd8 16.a3!, as we’ll see.

14...Qxc7! 15.Bxc7

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 Exercise: How did Black continue?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer:

15...Rfc8!

(1 point). Gaining a tempo for the attack; this rook is much more effective on c8 than d8.
Black already has the knight on b4 applying pressure and now he will concentrate all the forces he
can against White’s king position.

16.Be5

To neutralise the g7-bishop.

Exercise: What’s the culmination of Black’s idea of activating all his pieces?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer:

16...Ne4!

(2 points). Attacking now with the other knight, which is putting pressure on f2 and c3.

17.Bxg7 Kxg7 18.Nxe4

18.a3 fails to solve White’s problems; one idea is to play 18...Nxc3 19.bxc3 Na2+ 20.Kd2 Nxc3,
which favours Black, but even stronger is 18...Rxc3!, e.g. 19.axb4 Rc7, threatening 20...Nxf2 and
20...axb4, while if 19.bxc3 then 19...Na2+ 20.Kb2 Rb8+ 21.Kxa2 Nxc3+ 22.Ka1 Nxd1, which wins
a pawn with the better position.

18...dxe4 19.Rd4

19.Rh4 is no better due to 19...h5, when White must give up an exchange, but possibly even
stronger is 19...Rxc2+ 20.Kb1 Be6 21.Nd4 Bxa2+, followed by 22...Rxf2.
Instead of 21.Nd4 White could try 21.Rxe4, but after 21...Bxa2+ 22.Ka1 there are several moves
that give Black a winning attack, such as 22...Rac8, and after 23.Rxb4 the quiet retreat 23...Bg8
renews the threat of mate and wins for Black.

19...Rxc2+ 20.Kb1 Rac8 21.Bb5 Be6

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 Now the attack is decisive; the knight is en prise and Black also threatens 22...Bxa2+, followed by
...Rc1+ and mate, which would happen after 22.Ng5 Bxa2+ 23.Ka1 Rc1+.

0–1

Cabarkapa - Ivanisevic, Serbian Championship, Vrnjacka Banja 2020.

Puzzle 266

White to move

Both rooks, the bishop, and the knight on e4 are all attacked.
1) What two tactical themes did White utilise here, thanks to the situation of the black king? One of
these remained unused but still affected the play.
2) What did White play?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: The two tactical themes are the double attack and the pin. (1 point).

24.Nf6+!

(4 points). Of course not 24.Nxc4?, which loses material after 24...dxe4!.

With the move played, thanks to the weakness of the black monarch White is able to win an

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exchange before the opponent and then simplify the game in a very favourable way.

24.Nf6+! Kh8

The point is that 24...gxf6 is impossible due to 25.Qg4+ Bg7 26.Bxf6 and the pin leads to mate.

25.Nxc4 dxc4 26.Nxe8 Rxe8 27.Qe2! Nxe1 28.Rxe1

And now the c4-pawn can’t be defended.

28...Qf4 29.g3 Qf5 30.Qxc4

The combination has ended with only one extra pawn for White, but with two connected passed
pawns White has a winning position and he won in 47 moves.
Franco Ocampos - Svetushkin, Lorca 2014.
Puzzle 267

Black to move

White has a serious tactical weakness.

1) What is it?
2) How can it be exploited?

Show/Hide Solution

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 Answer:
White’s serious weakness is the queen’s poor mobility. (2 points).

24...Bf5!

(4 points). The white queen is almost trapped and with this move Black gains a decisive material
advantage.

25.Rc5

25.h3 was the most resilient move, but it’s insufficient; Black could gain some advantage with
25...Bd7 26.Qh4 g5 27.Qxh6 Ng4 28.Qxb6 Qxb6 29.hxg4, but he could try for more with 25...g5!,
renewing the threat of 26...Bd7, and after 26.b4 axb4 27.Qb3 Rxa3 Black has a winning advantage.
If the white queen tries to escape with 25.Qh4, then 25...g5 26.Qxh6 Ng4 27.Qh3 Rh6 wins.

25...Bd7 26.Qh4 g5 27.Qxh6 Ne4 28.Qxb6 Qxb6

And Black won easily.

Amin, B - Vallejo Pons, Bundesliga, Karlsruhe 2020.
Puzzle 268

White to move

Here we have an attacking race against kings castled on opposite sides. White has taken the lead
and has more active pieces in the attack against the black monarch.

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 There are several good moves here; White chose the strongest – what is it?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer:
It’s possible to play the materialistic 30.Bxb4 (1 point)
or the positional 30.Ne6 (1 point); both moves provide some advantage, but White has a more
effective way to exploit the weakness of the black king.

30.Nxh7!

(3 points). A typical sacrifice to open more lines against the already weakened black monarch.

30...Kxh7

30...Nxh7 31.Qxg6+ Kh8 32.Rf7 leads to mate.

Exercise: What was the idea of the sacrifice?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer:

31.Qg5!

(3 points). Bringing the queen into the attack; the threat now is 32.Qh6+ followed by capturing on

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g6 with check; there’s already no defence.

31...Kg7 32.Rg3

There are many winning moves here, such as 32.Rdf3!, threatening 33.Rxf6, 32...Rf8 33.Qh6+ Kf7
34.Bg5, which was a faster way than the move played, winning in the middlegame, but Black’s move
is simpler, requiring hardly any calculation.

32...Ng4

The only way to prevent mate; Black is able to exchange queens, but the ensuing endgame, where
he will be two pawns down and with his pieces badly coordinated, is losing.

33.Qxg4 Qxg4 34.Rxg4 Ra5 35.Rfg1 Bf6 36.Rxg6+ Kf7 37.Rh6 Rxd5 38.Bxb4

And White converted his two extra pawns.

Jakubowski - Spoelman, Bundesliga, Karlsruhe 2020.
Puzzle 269

White to move

Black has a material advantage and the white king is exposed, but the black monarch is in a much
worse situation – how can this be demonstrated?

Show/Hide Solution

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 White should focus on his own attack, since the black queen can’t create any serious threats.

65.Qh8!

(3 points). And now there’s no good defence against 66.Qf8++.

Not 65.g5+?? Kh5 when the checks run out and Black wins after 66.Qe4 Qf1+ 67.Qg2 Qf5+
68.Kh2 Bf4+, etc.

65.Qh8! g5

65...Qf1+ 66.Bg2 is no better.

Exercise: How can White finish off the game now?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer:

66.Qf8+!

(2 points). Allowing the h-pawn to join in the attack, with check. This is the only winning move.

66...Kg6 67.h5+

And it’s mate in three moves: 67...Kf6 68.Qxf7+ Ke5 69.Qe6+ Kf4 70.Qf5++.

1–0

Blohberger - Donchenko, Bundesliga, Karlsruhe 2020.

Puzzle 270

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 Black to move

Black is two pawns up, but both his knights are in trouble; how can Black overcome his difficulties
and win?

Show/Hide Solution

With the help of a tactical theme, the knight fork.

16...Qxd3!

(3 points). Better than 16...Nxc2 17.Bxe4 Qxd3 18.Bxd3 Nxa1 19.Rxa1 Rc8, with only a slightly
better position. (1 point).

16...Qxd3! 17.cxd3

Exercise: Both knights are attacked; before exchanging on d3 Black needed to have foreseen his
next move – what is it?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer:

17...Nc3!

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 (1 point). Saving the piece, thanks to the aforementioned knight fork.

18.Kh1

18.Bxd4 Ne2+ is much worse.

18...Nc2! 19.Rac1 Nxe3 20.fxe3 Nxa2

Three pawns up, Black has no problems in completing his development and he won in a few
moves.
Fries Nielsen - Bjerre, Danish Championship, Svendborg 2020.
Puzzle 271

White to move

White is under strong pressure; his d2-knight is pinned and his pieces have very limited mobility.
But the situation is deceptive, White can turn the situation around – how?

Show/Hide Solution

By taking advantage of a tactical weakness, the loose bishop on b4, by means of a double attack.

25.Nxf3!

(4 points). A surprising unpinning, but very strong.

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 25...gxf3

Exercise: How would you reply to the alternative 25...Rxf3?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: White should reply in the same way as in the game, with 26.Nxd5! (2 points), with the
aforementioned double attack, and after 26...Qf5 27.Nxb4, 27...Rxf2 isn’t dangerous in view of
28.Nxc6, winning more material due to the threat of Ne7+, and if 28...Re8 then 29.Be4 Qf7
30.Qxg4+ etc.

26.Nxd5!

The annoying bishop will be eliminated and the white pieces all spring to life.

26...Qg4 27.Nxb4

White has two pawns for the exchange, which is sufficient compensation; admittedly the h1-bishop
is nullified for now, but it’s a good defender, and the pawn on f3 will soon become a weakness. All in
all, White has a winning advantage.

27...Ng7 28.Bh6 Rf5 29.Qb3+ Kh8 30.Bxg7+ Qxg7

If 30...Kxg7 then 31.Qe6!, forcing 31...Rf4 or 31...Rg5, and the f3-pawn falls after 32.Qxg4+ Rxg4
33.Nc2 Rf8 34.Re3.

31.e6 Nb8 32.Bxf3

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 And White converted his advantage.

1–0

Makarian - Gharibyan, Andranik Margaryan Memorial, Yerevan 2021.

Puzzle 272

White to move

The knight on d6 is pinned and White needs to watch out for ...Nf3+.
How did White gain a decisive advantage?

Show/Hide Solution

First of all by preventing the fork and eliminating a pin.

44.Qe4!

(3 points). Not 44.Nxc8?, which leaves Black in good shape after 44...Nf3+! 45.Kg2 Nxd4
46.Rxd4 Bxc4.

44.Qe4! Rxd6

If 44...Qd7 then 45.Nf5!, winning material thanks to the loose position of the h4-knight and the

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weak situation of the e6-bishop, e.g. 45...Qxd1 (45...Nf3+ 46.Qxf3 gxf3 47.Rxd7 is no better)
46.Bxe6+ Kh8 47.Nxh4!.

45.exd6 Bxc4

45...Nf3+ 46.Kh1 doesn’t change the situation.

Exercise: And now? What would you play?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer:

46.d7!

(2 points). This intermediate move is decisive; in addition to a material advantage and Black’s
exposed king, White adds this pawn on the seventh rank to his assets.

46...Qd8 47.Qxc4+

White has a winning position and won in 56 moves.

Sargsyan, If - Mikaelyan, A, Andranik Margaryan Memorial, Yerevan 2021.
Puzzle 273

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 Black to move

There’s nothing immediate, but White’s pieces are placed very awkwardly and he has weaknesses
on the kingside and on the dark squares. How can Black exploit these?

Show/Hide Solution

By bringing into the heart of the struggle a piece which at present is taking no part in the attack.

28...Bf8!

(4 points). And on c5 the bishop will be tremendous.

Black could also preface this with 28...Qf6! (4 points).

28...Bf8! 29.Re1

If 29.Nxc4 then 29...Qf6 30.Ncxe5 Bc5 is decisive.

If 29.Qe1 both 29...Qf6 and ...Bc5 are good, but the idea of playing 28...Bf8 first was to be able to
play in some cases, as here, 29...Qc5!.

29...Qf6 30.Re2 Bc5 31.Qe1 Rd8

And White is heading for zugzwang; after 32.Bb1 (or 32.Bd1 Rd3 33.Ng1 Bf2) Black plays
32...Nf2+! 33.Rxf2 Bxf2 34.Qxf2 Rxd2!, with a quick mate, e.g. 35.Qxd2 Qxf3+ 36.Kg1 Qf1++.

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 0–1

Indjic - Damljanovic, Serbian Championship, Vrnjacka Banja 2020.

Puzzle 274

Black to move

This exercise is not easy.

White is temporarily a pawn up and has two passed pawns, but it’s Black to move.
1) What tactical weakness do you see in the white camp?
2) What would you play?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer:
The most important tactical weakness is the that of the white king. (1 point).
And once again, before moving you should ask yourself: “what can my opponent do in reply?”.

30...h4!

(4 points). “The threat is stronger than the execution.” The powerful threat is 31...Rg6+; Black’s
move eliminates the possible defence Rg3.

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 In contrast, the immediate 30...Rg6+? is weak due to 31.Rg3 and after e.g. 31...Nxb4 32.f3! Qh4
33.Rxg6 fxg6 34.a5, White has the advantage in the endgame, thanks to his passed a-pawn and strong
bishop.
The move played is much stronger than simply regaining the pawn with 30...Nxb4 (1 point) 31.Re3
Rg6+ 32.Rg3, or even the more complicated 31.Qxd7 h4 (31...Nc6 is also possible) 32.Qd8+ Kh7
33.Bd3 Rg6+ 34.Kf1 Qg2+, and the line ends in a draw.

30...h4!

Exercise: Here the ingenious resource 31.Bg2 Rg6 32.Rg3 doesn’t work – why?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Due to the somewhat concealed response 32...Qb1+! (2 points), winning.

31.f3

There’s nothing better.

Exercise: What’s wrong with giving the king a flight square with 31.h3?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Not the hurried 31...Rg6+ (no points), since after 32.Kh2 Qe5+ 33.f4! Nxf4 34.Re3 the
black queen must retreat (and not with 34...Qf5? in view of 35.Rf3), all the white pieces are

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defending and the game evens out.
In contrast, 31...Qb1! is very strong (3 points), with the threat of 32...Rg6+ 33.Kh2 Qxf1, and
there’s no good defence.
If 32.Qd3 then 32...Rg6+ 33.Kh1 Qc1!, intending 34...Qg5.
In the event of 32.Qxd5 Rg6+ White must give up his queen with 33.Qg2, as after 33.Kh2 Qxf1, as
we indicated, there’s no resistance.

31...Rg6+

Of course not 31...Qxb4? 32.Qxb4 Nxb4 33.a5.

32.Kf2 Qe5! 33.Rd3

After 33.f4 Nxf4 34.Re3, unlike in the earlier line, where the queen had to retreat a long way, here
34...Qf5 35.Rf3 Rf6 is possible, with a winning attack.

33...Qxh2+ 34.Ke1 Re6+ 35.Kd1 Qg1

If 36.Qg2 then 36...Ne3+, while 36.Rxd5 loses the queen after 36...Qxf1+ and 37...Re2.

0–1

Ashiku - Mehmeti, Albanian Championship, Tirana 2020.

Puzzle 275

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 White to move

White has sacrificed an exchange to reach this position.

1) What tactical weakness did White exploit?
How did White continue?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer:
The tactical weakness is once again the exposed enemy king, which has very few defenders. (1
point).
The white king is also weak, so it’s necessary to be very precise.

22.Nd6+!

(2 points). The first step.

22...Bxd6

Exercise: And now?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer:

23.Qa6+!

(1 point). Of course not 23.Bxd6 Be8, and Black survives; the attack must operate with checks.

23...Kc7 24.Qxa7+ Kc8

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 Exercise: What’s the final key move?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer:

25.Bb5!!

(3 points). And now the attack is irresistible.

25...cxb5 loses quickly to 26.Qa6+, followed by mate.
If 25...Rdf8 then 26.Qa8+ Bb8 (or 26...Kc7 27.Qa5+ Kc8 28.Ba6+ followed by mate) 27.Ba6+
Kc7 28.Qb7+ Kd8 29.Qxb8+ Bc8, and now it’s necessary for White to think about defence, 30.Re1,
and Black is defenceless: the f8-rook is threatened, the king is very exposed and the black queen is
tied the defence of the c8-bishop.
White can play h3 and then win material with Rd1+, or with Bxc8 Qxc8 followed by Rd1+, e.g.
30...Rf7 31.h3, or 31.Rd1+ Ke8 32.h3.

1–0

Ljubojevic - Durão, Orense 1974.

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 Maximum score: 166 points

130 points or more: You’re a super-GM in disguise!

100 to 129 points: Really? Something must be wrong with the numbers.
70 to 99 points: Excellent; you surely have good tactical skills already.
50 to 69 points: A great result; you’re well on your way to becoming a master.
30 to 49 points: Very good; your tactical arsenal is already respectable.
15 to 29 points: A good score; I hope that the book has helped you to develop your abilities.
Less than 15 points: It’s essential to keep doing exercises, and progress will surely come.

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 The author

Grand Master Zenón Franco Ocampos

Zenón Franco Ocampos was born in Asunción, Paraguay, May 12, 1956. From there he moved to
Buenos Aires. Since 1990 he has lived in Spain.
Zenón has authored 37 chess books which have been published in seven languages.
In addition to his books, he has served as a chess columnist for the Paraguayan newspapers ‘Hoy’
and ‘ABC Color’ for 17 years.
He has written a chess column for magazines published in Argentina, Italy, and Spain. Zenón is
most respected Grandmaster and FIDE Senior Trainer.
He received the 2016 Isaac Boleslavsky Book of the Year award from the FIDE Trainers
Commission.
Zenón was Pan-American Champion in 1981 (San Pedro de Jujuy, Argentina).
He has participated in eleven Olympiads, from Haifa, Israel, in 1976, to Batumi, Georgia, in 2018.
Zenón won the individual Gold Medal for the best result on first board at the Olympiads of
Lucerne, Switzerland, 1982, and Novi Sad, Yugoslavia, 1990.
He also represented Spain at the 1998 Olympiad in Elista, Russia.
Zenón’s highest ever place in the FIDE ratings list was 66th in January 1982.
As a trainer, Zenón was director of the Escuela Kasparov Marcote de Galicia from 1995 to 1999.
His most successful pupils include Grandmaster Francisco Vallejo Pons and International Master
David Martínez Martín, now the Spanish editor of Chess24.com.
In 2016, Zenón was granted an award by the Paraguayan parliament “in recognition of his
invaluable and meritorious contribution to Paraguayan sport”, for his chess career and for his
contribution to the development of chess in Paraguay.

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Table of Contents
Title page 4
Notation and Symbols 5
Introduction 6
Chapter 1 - The Main Tactical Themes 8
Tactical weakness 8
Double Attack or Multiple Attack 8
Double attack with the knight 10
Check and Discovered Attack 11
The Pin 12
The Skewer or ‘X-ray’ 13
Removing the guard 15
Opening Lines 17
Deflection 18
Attraction 19
Obstruction 21
Intermediate move 22
Zugzwang 24
Back Rank Weakness 25
Overloading 26
Chapter 2 - Basic level puzzles 29
Double attack puzzles 44
Puzzles based on pinning or unpinning 66
Puzzles involving win of material 80
Puzzles on the theme of overloading 93
Puzzles on the theme of attraction and deflection 106
Puzzles involving an attack on the king 118
Puzzles involving defence 132
Puzzles based on removing the guard 143
Puzzles combining attack and defence 149
Endgame puzzles 154
Puzzles based on a tactical weakness 161

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Chapter 3 - Intermediate level puzzles 177
Puzzles involving a pin 200
Puzzles based on attraction or deflection 210
Puzzles based on overloading an enemy piece 217
Puzzles based on attack 223
Puzzles based on defence 249
Puzzles based on attack and defence 260
Puzzles based on exploiting a tactical weakness 300
Chapter 4 - 29 challenges 310
Maximum score: 166 points 358
The author 359

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