Tactics Rule

I was following the Nakamura-Muhammad game in U.S. Championship. Very instructive to see how a 2676 player (Nak) would handle 2455 (Muhammad). Actually, Muhammad came out of the black side of a Ruy Lopez pretty well, maybe a slight plus into the middle game. Queens exchanged, M. still slightly ahead. I was wondering if Nak would settle for a draw then it happened. Muhammad shifted his rook over attacking Nak's isolated pawn, but also PUTTING IT IN A DIAGONAL LINE WITH HIS OWN KING. To most players above, say 1500, alarm bells would have gone off. I guess Muhammad didn't notice. A type of position was created you see in all the tactics books, and it only took seconds for Nak to see it. He ends up winning a whole piece. Take a look at his first game in the U.S. Championship, last three moves to see the exact position. Very instructive and evidence that tactics reign even at that level.

Originally posted by buddy2
I was following the Nakamura-Muhammad game in U.S. Championship. Very instructive to see how a 2676 player (Nak) would handle 2455 (Muhammad). Actually, Muhammad came out of the black side of a Ruy Lopez pretty well, maybe a slight plus into the middle game. Queens exchanged, M. still slightly ahead. I was wondering if Nak would settle for a draw then it ...[text shortened]... to see the exact position. Very instructive and evidence that tactics reign even at that level.

Yea, and check out the Gonzalez-Arpetian game. (first round) Over in 17 moves. In the blog Arpetian(2149) good naturedly says she saw the pawn fork, but then forgot about it, but Gonzalez (2536) didn't. She resigned a couple of moves later. Glad to see the old pawn fork trick is still alive and biting.

Originally posted by buddy2
Yea, and check out the Gonzalez-Arpetian game. (first round) Over in 17 moves. In the blog Arpetian(2149) good naturedly says she saw the pawn fork, but then forgot about it, but Gonzalez (2536) didn't. She resigned a couple of moves later. Glad to see the old pawn fork trick is still alive and biting.

Originally posted by gumbie
There are more monumental blunders in other games.

Are these guys really the best in the US?

Originally posted by wib
I suppose so. But remember they're playing against the best in the US too.

Originally posted by gumbie
There are more monumental blunders in other games.

Are these guys really the best in the US?

Originally posted by wib
Thanks Buddy,

Ouch. That hurts. Poor Muhammad. It also makes me feel better to know that those players are still human after all.

I'm loving following those games online by the way. This is sweeeeeeeet.

Originally posted by buddy2
Yea, and check out the Gonzalez-Arpetian game. (first round) Over in 17 moves. In the blog Arpetian(2149) good naturedly says she saw the pawn fork, but then forgot about it, but Gonzalez (2536) didn't. She resigned a couple of moves later. Glad to see the old pawn fork trick is still alive and biting.

And it comes down to TACTICS RULE. You might play a fine strategic game but you've always got to be aware of tactics. Look at all checks, hanging pieces, and alignment problems. Maybe it was the nervousness of the first round or whatever. Usually, when I'm nervous I double check everything (and still miss lots).

Originally posted by John Dalmas
That's pretty fast, it true that some of the strongest players make mistakes occasionally:

Calvia Round 2
Alexander Morozevich V's ????????

1 e4 e5
2 Nf3 Nc6
3 Bb5 a6
4 Ba4 Nf6
5 d3 b5
6 Bb3 Bc5
7 Nc3 d6
8 Nd5 Ng4
9 0-0 Na5
10 Bg5! f6
11 Bd2 Nxb3
12 axb3 c6?
13 Ba5 1-0 [D Nc7+]

And who was Black?, oh some guy called Viktor Korchnoi!