I need to start practicing tactics again, especially since I took such a long break from chess.
If there's one thing tactics has taught me is that when I'm looking for moves my brain shuts out ones that are immediately "losing" big material, such moves that ditch the queen.
Originally posted by greenpawn34I found an example of this type of thematic pseudo-sacrifice in the Reti/KIA game in thread Thread 140880, so the blog has synchronicity! It was missed in the game, but white definitely had the shot.
And a RHP Missed Brilliancy.
Again all examples taken from games played on RHP.
I always try to use RHP games, these shots are not the preservev of the good guys.
Blog 4
I'm just making this up, but I think there might be a sort of "theory of corresponding forks" for various openings, where thematic forks tend to naturally appear on certain squares.
Examples would be the c7, e7, and f6 squares in the Sicilian, coming from knights on d5 (or occasionally b5), and the usual forks in the King's Indian that can occur on or from g4/g5, f2/f7, etc.
Just a guess!
Some opening are linked to certain tactical tricks or are seen more often
in that opening set -up than in others.
The Classical Bishop Whamo on h7 for instance.
Examples abound in the French or the Colle.
A Rook exchange sacs on c3 (RxN) to nick the e-pawn is a ploy
every Sicilian player looks out for (perhaps a theme for a future blog.).
The Cambridge Springs - there are dozens of examples of Black nicking
that Bishop g5.
Blanca has pulled this one off ½ a dozen times on here.
Victims vary in grades, this time a 1900+ players walks into it.
But tricks and traps can crop up in all openings and in all settings.
Originally posted by greenerpawnYou cannot say that and NOT show it Lazy Bones.
Nice example in Gordon vs S.Lalic today. British, Rd 3.
(even too lazy to think up a proper name for yourself.) 😉
Before we see Gordon vs Susan Lalic the final position of Bates v Peter Lalic
from the same round is quite amusing (for us anyway).
It is a perfect Zuggers.
R.Bates - P.Lalic Rd.3 British Champs 2011
White has just played 60.Ra5 and Black is screwed.
The King has only one move which allows mate on the move.
The Rook has no checks thanks to it's own f-pawn and if it moves White promotes.
zugzwang with a capital 'Z'.
S.Gordon vs Susan Lalic Rd.3 British Champs 2011
Thanks for showing that Geoff. I knew you would.
Andrew Martin said it was quite easy to see for a GM, but it's worth pointing out that he had to see it all before taking on h5, as it looked like he could lose a piece when the Q was hit. I'd demonstrate it...but I'm just too la...
Originally posted by greenpawn34This post could have been a blog all by itself!
You cannot say that and NOT show it Lazy Bones.
(even too lazy to think up a proper name for yourself.) 😉
Before we see Gordon vs Susan Lalic the final position of Bates v Peter Lalic
from the same round is quite amusing (for us anyway).
It is a perfect Zuggers.
R.Bates - P.Lalic Rd.3 British Champs 2011
[fen]r7/P7/8/R6p/5p1k/5K1P/8/8 w - ...[text shortened]... ite is going to double Rooks on the d-file. The d7 Bishop is doomed. Black resigned.}[/pgn]
Hey I had a game recently with an absolute bishop pin that prevented my opponent from castling and a pseudo queen sac in the end... plus a beautiful use of Knights if you ask me 😛 Poor opening theory however. But its a blitz game what can you say. sorry if this is a low-quality post in an otherwise high-quality thread. Your blogs have helped me in my game though!