Birthday Cake-2 & Another Weapon For You!


First of all I’d like to THANK everyone for your greetings! It’s a pleasure for me to communicate with such nice and grateful people!
We set up a record of 90 comments for 1 blog-post. :) Although I couldn’t reply to every message, be sure I read them all. Your nice attitude motivates me to keep working for you, and rest assured there will be a lot of new and useful materials!
Now, I’ve collected some really cool games for you. However, let’s test your skills first.
Please, find the solution in positions below. You should find the best move and calculate all associated variations until the end.
After you come up with your own solution, check yourself by downloading the answer.
                                                          Janosevic, D – Kovacevic, V
Black to move

How should Black play here?

Once you found the solution, check yourself and view the whole game here: LINK
Note: if you can’t open *.pgn files – please, read the instructions here: LINK
                                                         Ashley M, – Berman, M
                                                                White to move
2370 rated player missed the right move. Can you find it?
The answer: LINK
                                                           Kortschnoj, V – Solak, D
White to move

Please, don’t forget: you should not only find the best move, but calculate all the resulting variations as well.
The answer: LINK

                                                     Kopaev, N – Novopashin, A
                                                                 Black to move
This is one of the gems in my collection. Don’t underestimate a difficulty of this position.
The answer: LINK
So we’ve just tested your skills. Were you able to find all the solutions by yourself? In any case I’m sure you enjoyed these brilliant examples.
Now we come to the most important part of the lesson. How can YOU find such tactical shots in your practical games?
Actually this is a huge separate topic (which includes tactics, calculation, and attacking skills). I can’t provide all this information here. However, I’ll give you 1 simple, yet VERY POWERFUL practical advice! Here is the rule:
First, consider moves on opponent’s half of the board.
Secondly – on yours.
Let me explain. An opponent’s territory is under a control of his forces. That’s why usually you can’t go there. So you mainly think about moves on your own territory; and after that quickly check other options.
This is a typical way of thinking. HOWEVER, in this way you miss A LOT of powerful attacking options.
I recommend that you use an opposite way of thinking. First, consider moves on OPPONENT’S territory. Of course you can’t make crushing blows every time. However, it’s enough to find just 1 tactical shot throughout the game to gain a victory.
This rule seems simple, but it has a LOT of potential to improve your game!
First, consider moves on opponent’s half of the board.
Secondly – on yours.
Now here’s a little task for you. Go over the examples from this lesson once again, but this timekeeping the above rule in your mind always.
You’ll see how easier it’s to find the right moves now.