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Tactics: It's not over... or is it?

John Upper's picture
Submitted by John Upper on Sat, 03/29/2014 - 22:48

White's Knight is straining to cope with Black's pawn, but it's not over yet...
What happens if White plays 57.e5-e6!?

Tactics: Bator's Brainwave

John Upper's picture
Submitted by John Upper on Mon, 03/24/2014 - 17:21

Canadian champion GM Bator Sambuev writes:
"Going into this position I thought I have nothing better than the routine Nxf8, winning a piece; but then I got a brainwave..."

What did Bator see and play?

Tactics: A good Knight for a bad King?

John Upper's picture
Submitted by John Upper on Wed, 03/05/2014 - 23:56

Black's Nc5 is attacked but can't move because it is pinned to the Qd5. Rank Black's following options:

a) 28... Qf5
b) 28... Qd7
c) 28... Rxf2

Tactics: Blockade or Attack?

John Upper's picture
Submitted by John Upper on Fri, 02/14/2014 - 23:07

White has an Isolated Queen's Pawn. What should Black do: blockade it with ...Nb5? or attack it with ...Rad8?

From the game:
Jeffrey Zhu (CAN) - Rowan Willathgamuwa (AUS)
WYCC U12, Al Ain, UAE
2013.12.20

Tactics: the right recapture

John Upper's picture
Submitted by John Upper on Fri, 02/07/2014 - 20:38

White has just played 31.BxNe4; how should Black recapture and why?

This week's example comes from the game:

William Graif (CAN) - Plenca Jadranko (CRO), 
WYCC U14, Al Ain, UAE.
2013.12.23 

Full game and notes by WIlliam Graif below.

Tactics: He said "King", She said "Queen"

John Upper's picture
Submitted by John Upper on Wed, 01/29/2014 - 02:31

From the game between long-time Ottawa master Kevin Pacey and 2013 CYCC U14g champ Qiyu Zhou:
White has more active pieces on the Kingside than Black, but is it enough to justify Bxh7+?

Tactics: Back Rank Tactics

John Upper's picture
Submitted by John Upper on Wed, 01/22/2014 - 00:06

Canada's Aahil Noorali has just played 33... Ra1 at the WYCC, threatening the Nb1 and mate.

There are back rank tactics here.

Tactics: You Gotta Take Turns

John Upper's picture
Submitted by John Upper on Tue, 01/14/2014 - 23:05

White to play and win.
Hansen - Pert (4NCL, Nov.2013)

Better to give a "Greek Gift" than receive?

John Upper's picture
Submitted by John Upper on Tue, 01/07/2014 - 18:14

If White had a pawn on e5 then Bxh7+ would be automatic: it's an obvious win.
But is Bxh7+ any good here?
(Pacey - Forget, RA November Open, 2013.11.10)

Tactics: Finish Her!

John Upper's picture
Submitted by John Upper on Tue, 12/31/2013 - 15:54

Find White's best finish from Tapp - Al Shamsi at last week's WYCC U14g.

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