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Originally posted by sydsadYou need to study basic tactics.
I had a vague idea of initiating a Study Group for Advanced beginners. The idea is to agree on a Title, read it and discuss the chapters according to some schedule. How does that sound? What title would be suitable? A book interesting for curious players in the 1300-1500 region.
For example in this position recently obtained by me in a game vs a 1100-1200 player. What should white play and why?
Originally posted by Dragon FireI do not see any spectacular tactical attack for white... Maybe I am blind but I would cowardly retreat my queen to d1 on order to avoid knight fork 😳
You need to study basic tactics.
For example in this position recently obtained by me in a game vs a 1100-1200 player. What should white play and why?
[fen]R1BK1B1R/2P1P1PP/P1N5/1P1PnP1Q/1p2Np2/4p3/pbppb1pp/rn1kq2r[/fen]
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Originally posted by ivan2908Obviously! But white played Qa3 missing a fork. A basic tactical error.
I do not see any spectacular tactical attack for white... Maybe I am blind but I would cowardly retreat my queen to d1 on order to avoid knight fork 😳
There followed Nc2+ Kd1 NxQ
What should white now play and why?
Originally posted by Dragon FireWell I'll admit it was a tricky puzzle, you had me staring at it for a while looking for some brilliant move when there wasn't one. I guess that is a lesson in itself. But it hardly counts as studying tactics I think.
Obviously! But white played Qa3. A basic tactical error.
Originally posted by UmbrageOfSnowAgreed. The point I wish to make is that newbies miss these very basic tactics and until you master them at this level there is little point in moving on to greater things.
Well I'll admit it was a tricky puzzle, you had me staring at it for a while looking for some brilliant move when there wasn't one. I guess that is a lesson in itself. But it hardly counts as studying tactics I think.
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Originally posted by ivan2908I'd go on the assumption that maybe black will screw up and hand the game back. The knight isn't going anywhere, no need to take it now. I'd grab the g pawn, hopefully unsticking the kingside a little and maybe attacking if he doesn't drive me back like he should. I don't like advancing the e pawn right now, at least at first glance, but that might be an option too, free up to eventually take the knight maybe.
White should press the resign button 🙂
Regardless, taking the knight loses the rook, so it needs to hold off until you can make it work.
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Originally posted by UmbrageOfSnowOf course there is another tactic here. The pin - the b pawn cannot take the Knight because it is pinned in front of the Rook. That is exactly what my opponent did so I played BXR and am now a whole Queen up.
I'd go on the assumption that maybe black will screw up and hand the game back. The knight isn't going anywhere, no need to take it now. I'd grab the g pawn, hopefully unsticking the kingside a little and maybe attacking if he doesn't drive me back like he should. I don't like advancing the e pawn right now, at least at first glance, but that might ...[text shortened]... less, taking the knight loses the rook, so it needs to hold off until you can make it work.
Thats 2 basic tactical errors in 2 moves, a fork and a pin.
Now if as Umbrage suggests if Nxg5 what about e7 for a 3rd tactical motif, the double attack!
Originally posted by Dragon FireGood point on Nxg5, I'll admit I didn't really think it out, just picked a half-decent looking move that didn't lose the rook.
Of course there is another tactic here. The pin - the b pawn cannot take the Knight because it is pinned in front of the Rook. That is exactly what my opponent did so I played BXR and am now a whole Queen up.
Thats 2 basic tactical errors in 2 moves, a fork and a pin.
Now if as Umbrage suggests if Nxg5 what about e7 for a 3rd tactical motif, the double attack!
I did point out the pin though.
I'll agree, advancing the e pawn either e3 or e4 is probably the way to go.
Originally posted by pinnYep, that sounds very usefull. A main problem is to pick a suitable book. I totally agree that Tactics is very, very important but tactical problems can be solved alone. My gut feel is that they seldom offer much of an discussion.
I really like this idea!! Perhaps what we need is a "chat room" with a chess board accessible to all that are in the chat room.
I'm trying to mentor a beginner at present on this site and doing it really badly!! 🙁
Perhaps Euwes "Master vs Amatuer" would be interesting to discuss and to use lessons learned from such a book to analyze games of our own?
Suggestions?
Euwe's "Master vs Amatuer" is a great book, and I am glad to see some interest in it in this forum. I have worked my way through about a third of the book and found it extremely instructive. Good choice. I am 1600+, but have to admit to some interest in your study group, nonetheless. Keep me posted. --basso
