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[Event "üî•üî•: Welcome and Introduction"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/fNOVLINj/zqsYG6Iy"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [Opening "?"] [UTCDate "2020.07.21"] [UTCTime "03:10:33"] [Variant "Standard"] { Hello all, this is Mr_Penings! This is an all-around chess improvement guide. These are the most common mistakes I have seen in players of intermediate level or above. ‚ù§Ô∏èPlease give this study a like and share with others! }
[Event "üî•üî•: Mistake 1: Castling automatically"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/fNOVLINj/G0fXHTXJ"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "r1bqk2r/pppp1pp1/2n2n1p/2b1p3/2B1P3/2NP1N1P/PPP2PP1/R1BQK2R b KQkq - 0 6"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.07.21"] [UTCTime "03:10:33"] [Variant "From Position"] 6... O-O 7. O-O $6 ( 7. g4 $1 { White should not blindly castle kingside, or else a huge attacking opportunity will be missed. Here, g4 is an excellent move which takes advantage of Black's early h6, which acts as a hook for White to break open the g-file. White now has Rg1 at his disposal since castle was delayed [%cal Gh1g1] } 7... d6 { A likely response. I'll give some sample variations below of how the game may continue } ( 7... Nd4 8. g5 hxg5 9. Bxg5 c6 10. Rg1 ) 8. g5 hxg5 9. Bxg5 Bb4 { More or less forced to stop the deadly Nd5 } 10. Nh4 { The Bg5 is unstoppable. Black can do little to kick back White's pieces } )
[Event "üî•üî•: Mistake 2: Automatic Moves like a Robot"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/fNOVLINj/9DUabiW1"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "D00"] [Opening "Queen's Pawn Game: Accelerated London System"] [UTCDate "2020.07.21"] [UTCTime "03:10:33"] [Variant "Standard"] { This mistake is one I've seen over and over in openings like the infamous London System. Players will play opening moves automatically regardless of the opponent's moves. This can lead to danger, in forms of getting an inferior position or just missing opportunities. } 1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 Nc6 3. e3 Bf5 4. Nf3 ( 4. c4 $1 { In my opinion, this is the best way to deal with an early Nc6. The knight does not help stabilize the d5 pawn, so White logically switches gears and plays Queen's Gambit style. } 4... Nf6 5. Nc3 e6 { An improved version of the Queen's Gambit Declined with a passive knight on c6 for Black. } ) 4... Nf6 5. c3 $2 e6 { White has played like a robot for the first 5 moves. And now the next robot move, Bd3, seems wrong since Black will just play Bxd3.. Hmm... }
[Event "üî•üî•: Mistake 3: Pushing pawns unnecessary"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/fNOVLINj/VsC7EA3B"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "r1b2rk1/pp1nq2p/2pb1n2/3p1p2/3P2p1/2NNP1P1/PP3PBP/R1BQR1K1 w - - 0 13"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.07.21"] [UTCTime "03:10:33"] [Variant "From Position"] 13. f4 $2 ( 13. Ne2 { The e4 square is inevitable black's territory, so don't bother preventing Ne4 by black. Instead, focus on your own advantages: the f4 square as an outpost for your knight! } 13... Ne4 14. Nef4 { White isn't better but at least it is a competitive middlegame } ) 13... h5 ( 13... gxf3 $1 { The correct way to punish White's f4 } 14. Qxf3 Ne4 $1 { Now the monster knight on e4 is on a well-supported outpost } ) 14. h4 $2 { Now White is just pushing pawns carelessly } 14... gxh3 15. Bxh3 Ne4 { The position that arises is much better for Black, who now has an semi-open g-file to attack the weak g3 pawn in addition to the strong knight on e4. While White does get the e5 outpost, the knight is less active than Black's counterpart. }
[Event "üî•üî•: Mistake 4: Exchanging pawns blindly"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/fNOVLINj/8nWB8lor"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "r4rk1/4qpp1/p1n3bp/1p1pp3/2pP4/P1P1PN1P/BP3PP1/R2Q1RK1 b - - 1 18"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.07.21"] [UTCTime "03:10:33"] [Variant "From Position"] 18... exd4 $2 { Incorrectly exchanging pawns. This only helps White's piece breathe more easily and allow more exchanges. } ( 18... e4 $1 19. Nd2 f5 { White's pieces are now even more trapped, while Black aims to breka open the f-file to double the rooks. } ) 19. Nxd4 { White now has the semi-open d-file and a free bishop next after Bb1. }
[Event "üî•üî•: Mistake 5: Playing too reactively"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/fNOVLINj/CSJUqYMq"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "5rk1/5pp1/p1pp1n1p/b3p3/4P3/Pr1BBN2/1PR2PPP/3R2K1 b - - 3 21"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.07.21"] [UTCTime "03:10:33"] [Variant "From Position"] 21... Rfb8 22. Bc1 $6 { Not necessarily game-changing, but it is still a bit passive, giving the initiative to Black. } ( 22. Rxc6 $1 { Allowing Black to take on b2, but White gets two pawns in the process and active pieces! } 22... Rxb2 23. Rxd6 )
[Event "üî•üî•: Mistake 6: Not punishing your opponent"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/fNOVLINj/6X7sclt8"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "r1bqk1nr/pppp1ppp/2n5/2b1p3/2B1P3/5N2/PPPP1PPP/RNBQ1RK1 b kq - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.07.21"] [UTCTime "03:10:33"] [Variant "From Position"] 1... f6 { A common beginner's opening mistake. This cannot go unpunished. } 2. d3 $6 ( 2. c3 $1 Nge7 3. d4 { Rule of thumb: If black ever plays f6 in the e4 e5 lines, must play d4 ASAP to open up the center, thus exposing Black's weak f6 move in daylight. } ) 2... Nge7 { Hard to punish Black's horrible f6 at this moment. }
[Event "üî•üî•: Mistake 7: Grabbing too much material at a risk"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/fNOVLINj/lQa9QM41"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "8/4r1bk/p2Q2bp/1p2p1q1/5p2/2P5/PP2BPPP/R4RK1 w - - 2 24"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.07.21"] [UTCTime "03:10:33"] [Variant "From Position"] { White is already up an exchange (rook for bishop) and a pawn. Extra material gain is less important from here. } 24. Qxa6 $2 { Too greedy to gain more material. } ( 24. f3 $1 { Stopping any of Black's kingside attacks first! } 24... e4 25. fxe4 Bxe4 26. Bf3 { White will now easily convert the win with the existing material advantage. } ) 24... e4 25. Qxb5 $2 { Greed will be punished } 25... Re5 $1 { Black now seizes the initiative, and f3 is coming up next. } 26. Qc6 f3 { White is now forced the give up the bishop to stop mate. }
[Event "üî•üî•: Mistake 8: Not having a long term plan"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/fNOVLINj/5hkMCEoi"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "r1bq1rk1/pp1n1pbp/3p1np1/3Pp3/1P2P3/2N2N2/P3BPPP/R1BQ1RK1 b - - 0 10"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.07.21"] [UTCTime "03:10:33"] [Variant "From Position"] 10... Qc7 { The game started out as a standard King's Indian Defense. Normally, white should aim to expand on the queenside and black on the kingside. Now is the perfect time to think of what the long term plan is. Black has a backwards d6 pawn, so trying to pile up on that would be nice. } 11. Bb2 $2 { Such a normal developing move to defend the knight, but this is inconsistent with any long term plan, most definitely not contributing to the attack on d6. The bishop should be placed on a3 at some point, not on b2. } ( 11. Nb5 $1 { With the d6 pawn in mind as a target! } 11... Qb8 ( 11... Qb6 $2 12. Be3 ) 12. Nd2 a6 13. Nc3 Kh8 14. a4 Kg8 15. Nc4 { White will eventually continue piling up forces on the queenside with Ba3 + Qb3. Notice how all of the pieces are working together towards the common goal of the d6 pawn weakness. The benefits of long term planning } ) 11... Nh5 12. Rc1 Nf4 13. Nb5 { Hitting the queen, but the knight is not on an outpost, so the strong square is only temporary. Once black successfully kicks the knight back with a6, White will be forced to retreat } 13... Qb6 14. Bc4 $2 { Unaware of what's coming up next.. } 14... a6 { Now after knight retreats, the b4 pawn falls and White has little to no play on the queenside. Black, meanwhile, has a nice knight on f4 and is up a clean pawn }
[Event "üî•üî•: Mistake 9: Trading bishop for knight incorrectly"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/fNOVLINj/TWNOW4ge"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "1r3rk1/p1bb1ppp/2np4/2p1p3/2P4q/P2QPBN1/1P1P1PPP/R1B1K2R w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.07.21"] [UTCTime "03:10:33"] [Variant "From Position"] 1. Bxc6 $2 { White has seemingly logical intentions of trading bishop for knight and then closing up the center with e4, with plans of rerouting the knight to d5 way way down the road. However, it comes with severe consequences, the lack of control over the light squares... } 1... Bxc6 2. e4 f5 $1 { Suddenly, the center explodes, and the light squares are extremely vulnerable for White. The plan of maneuvering the knight to d5 is out the door. }
[Event "üî•üî•: Mistake 10: Not fully utilizing initiative"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/fNOVLINj/GohKgZwH"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "rn1k3r/1pq5/p1p1PR1p/3p3Q/3P4/2NB4/PPP5/2K1b3 w - - 0 21"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.07.21"] [UTCTime "03:10:33"] [Variant "From Position"] 21. Rf7 Qd6 22. Qf5 $4 { Understandably threatening e7+ next move, but Black can prevent it easily with Re8. As a result, Black is up a rook and will win the game. } ( 22. e7+ $3 { The most forcing continuation! } 22... Kd7 ( 22... Ke8 23. Rh7+ ) 23. Qf5+ Kc7 24. e8=N+ Kb6 25. Nxd6 { White wins in all continuations } ) 22... Re8
[Event "üî•üî•: Mistake 11: Being too materialistic"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/fNOVLINj/nwx4fbHS"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "1k1r3r/ppp2p2/3p3q/3Pp2p/2N1P1pP/2P5/PP3QKP/5R2 b - - 2 24"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.07.21"] [UTCTime "03:10:33"] [Variant "From Position"] { Black is up an exchange (rook for knight) and an extra pawn. It is important to be willing to give some material back if necessary to achieve a decisive advantage. } 24... Rhf8 ( 24... f5 $1 { Giving back a pawn to free up the position and shut down the f5 outpost from White's knight. } 25. exf5 ( 25. Qxf5 Rdf8 ) 25... Rhf8 26. Ne3 e4 { And Black is still up a healthy exchange and a more active position. } ) 25. Ne3 Qh7 26. Nf5 { It is unclear how Black can make progress with this annoying knight on f5, which arguably is stronger than a rook at the moment. }
[Event "üî•üî•: Mistake 12: Not thinking ahead"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/fNOVLINj/rjPbFftz"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "r5k1/1pqbbpp1/2p1pn1p/2Pn4/1P1PN3/5N1P/2QBBPP1/1R4K1 w - - 0 19"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.07.21"] [UTCTime "03:10:33"] [Variant "From Position"] 19. b5 $2 { Not a bad idea to expand on the queenside, but clearly White did not think ahead. After the series of exchanges, Black trades off the horrendous light squared bishop and has more breathing room. } ( 19. Ne5 $1 { Instead, focus on improving your own pieces. Advance the knight to the powerful centralized square e5. Black has to find a way to untangle in their limited space. } ) 19... cxb5 20. Bxb5 Bxb5 21. Rxb5 { Black is fine now (if not better!) }
[Event "üî•üî•: Mistake 13: Not considering all variations of a tactic"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/fNOVLINj/odjfalWF"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "r1b2rk1/p1pnqppp/1pn1p3/4P3/8/P1PB2N1/2P1QPPP/R1B1K2R w KQ - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.07.21"] [UTCTime "03:10:33"] [Variant "From Position"] 1. Bxh7+ $2 { White sees a tactic to win a pawn... Slow down! Most tactics have another variation with a move order difference } ( 1. Qe4 $1 { This move order simply wins the knight on c6. Black cannot protect the knight and stop checkmate on h7 } ) 1... Kxh7 2. Qe4+ Kg8 3. Qxc6 { White has just won a pawn, and it's debatable if it has helped White or not. The loss of the bishop leads to severe damage to the light squares } 3... Ba6 $1
[Event "üî•üî•: Mistake 14: Unnecessary pawn moves near king"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/fNOVLINj/IGhkSBL1"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "r1b1k2r/ppp1qppp/2p2n2/2b1p3/4P3/3P1N2/PPP2PPP/RNBQ1RK1 w kq - 2 7"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.07.21"] [UTCTime "03:10:33"] [Variant "From Position"] { From the famous game Aronian - Kramnik in 2018 Candidates } 7. h3 $6 Rg8 $1 { Kramnik uses the h3 pawn as a hook to smash open the g-file. You should definitely check out this game if you haven't already. It will make all the history books! } 8. Kh1 Nh5 9. c3 g5 10. Nxe5 g4 { And Black is just crushing }
[Event "üî•üî•: Mistake 15: Blindly following general chess principles"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/fNOVLINj/ZJ2OcNxQ"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "r4k2/pp2q2p/2npb1p1/2p5/2P1P3/2NP2P1/P5BP/1R1Q2K1 w - - 0 16"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.07.21"] [UTCTime "03:10:33"] [Variant "From Position"] { The general rule is knights belong on outposts. d5 is an outpost by definition, and a common mistake is to blindly follow these principles. } 16. Nd5 $2 ( 16. e5 $1 { A better continuation to achieve the superior minor piece } 16... dxe5 ( 16... Nxe5 $6 17. Rxb7 ) 17. Bxc6 bxc6 18. Qf3+ ) 16... Bxd5 17. exd5 Nd4 { Wait a second... now black has the knight on an outpost and White has a terrible bishop. White gets punished for blindly following the rules without second thought. }
[Event "üî•üî•: Mistake 16: Giving up too early"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/fNOVLINj/mHc3MYKL"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "4b3/5pk1/p3p1p1/Np1pP1Kp/nP1B1P2/P2P3P/6P1/8 w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.07.21"] [UTCTime "03:10:33"] [Variant "From Position"] { Although the material is even, Black is seemingly down a full knight since the Na4 is completely restricted by the Bd4 and the bishop on c8 is locked up. While White should be winning this eventually, Black should still watch for tricks. } 1. Nb3 Bc6 2. Nd2 Be8 3. Nf1 Bc6 4. Ne3 Be8 5. g3 Bc6 6. Ng2 $2 Be8 ( 6... Nc3 $3 7. Bxc3 d4 { Leads to an opposite colored bishop endgame. Even though Black is down a pawn, White cannot win this. } ) 7. f5 { And White eventually broke through on the kingside }
[Event "üî•üî•: Mistake 17: Unaware of the dynamics of the position"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/fNOVLINj/mN9CZmJb"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "r1bqk2r/p3bppp/1pn5/2ppPp2/5P2/2NP1NP1/PPP4P/R1BQ1RK1 b kq - 3 10"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.07.21"] [UTCTime "03:10:33"] [Variant "From Position"] { Black has the bishop pair, and wisely should control the h1-a8 diagonal. } 10... Bb7 $2 { The right idea, but it fails because White closes the diagonal first with d4 } ( 10... d4 $1 { Playing d4 first is a must here if Black wants to control the long diagonal. Knight is forced to move, and only then is Bb7 accurate } 11. Ne2 Bb7 ) 11. d4 cxd4 12. Nb5 { And the diagonal is now shut down for as long as White desires. }
[Event "üî•üî•: Mistake 18: Unequal trades against higher rated players"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/fNOVLINj/LZiuG5LY"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "4rrk1/pp3p1p/2p3p1/3p4/P7/1P1P4/2P2PPP/4RRK1 b - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.07.21"] [UTCTime "03:10:33"] [Variant "From Position"] { It is very common for lower rated players to aim to swap off all the pieces as fast as possible. But beware, not all trades are equal. } 1... Rxe1 $2 { Trading first allows White to control the file, a critical factor in an otherwise dead drawn endgame } ( 1... a5 2. f3 f6 { Dead draw after Kf7 and then swapping off all the rooks. } ) 2. Rxe1 f6 3. Re7 Rf7 4. Re6 Kf8 5. g4 { This endgame is far from easy to hold. Black cannot easily play Re7 nor move the king upwards. Only White has the winning chances here. }
[Event "üî•üî•: Mistake 19: Rushing the attack"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/fNOVLINj/jGZRo0JK"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "5bk1/pppb2rp/3p1n2/3Pp1qn/2P2p2/5Q1P/PPBB1PP1/R5RK b - - 11 24"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.07.21"] [UTCTime "03:10:33"] [Variant "From Position"] 24... Bg4 $2 { Unnecessarily complication the position. This moves looks pretty, but it can easily backfire. } ( 24... Qh4 $1 { Slow and simple. Sometimes, the patient move is the strongest. Black prepares Bg4 next, and there will be no complications. Meanwhile, White cannot find any useful move to stop Black's attack. [%cal Gd7g4] } ) 25. hxg4 Ng3+ { Black attempts at fireworks, but unfortunately, this move fails due to a shocking move. } 26. Qxg3 $1 { If Black takes the queen, his own queen will be lost too. }
[Event "üî•üî•: Mistake 20: Too scared to sacrifice material"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/fNOVLINj/NNR9bsyo"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "r1b1kb1r/2qn1p1p/p2ppp2/1p6/3NPPP1/2N5/PPP1Q2P/2KR1B1R b kq - 1 11"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.07.21"] [UTCTime "03:11:31"] [Variant "From Position"] 11... b4 12. Na4 $2 ( 12. Nd5 $1 { The thematic Nd5 sacrifice in the Sicilian. White will not have any clear cut win, but there is more than enough compensation for the lost knight. } 12... exd5 13. exd5+ Be7 14. Re1 Nb8 15. h4 { Black's king is stuck in the center and pieces are completely tangled up. (Baadur Jobava - Holden Hernandez 2008) } ) 12... Nc5 { Black is now totally fine. }
[Event "üî•üî•: Puzzles "] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/fNOVLINj/8S6bYL6W"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [Opening "?"] [UTCDate "2020.07.21"] [UTCTime "03:11:31"] [Variant "Standard"] { These puzzles test your understanding of the mistakes because the solution is to correctly punish your opponent for their mistakes. }
[Event "üíÄ Most Common Mistakes in Chess üíÄ: Puzzle 1"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/xx2nOKJv/uGHjTaPK"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "1k4rr/1pp2p2/1p1pqn1p/4p3/QPP1P3/3PB2P/P4P1K/1R3R2 w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.07.21"] [UTCTime "03:15:00"] [Variant "From Position"] 1. Rb3 { White plans on the rook lift to a3. How should Black respond? } 1... Ng4+ ( 1... Kc8 $2 { Too passive. The best defense should be a strong offense! } ) 2. hxg4 Qxg4 { Correct! Checkmate is unstoppable }
[Event "üíÄ Most Common Mistakes in Chess üíÄ: Puzzle 2"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/xx2nOKJv/J00D3sxd"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "2r2rk1/p2bbppp/1p1qp3/1P1p4/P2N4/2PQ2P1/5PBP/R3R1K1 b - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.07.21"] [UTCTime "03:19:44"] [Variant "From Position"] 1... f5 2. Nxe6 Bxe6 3. Rxe6 { Great job! Black cannot take the rook due to Bxd5, leading to a pin }
[Event "üíÄ Most Common Mistakes in Chess üíÄ: Puzzle 3"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/xx2nOKJv/qK6Fn2gR"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "1r1qr1k1/5pp1/2p2nb1/p5N1/B2pP3/3P3P/1PPQ1P2/2KR3R w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.07.21"] [UTCTime "03:20:55"] [Variant "From Position"] 1. Bxc6 { White gets greedy and takes a pawn } 1... Qb6 { Correct! Black has a nice counterattack, and since Qxb2 is checkmate, White loses a bishop. } ( 1... Re7 { Too reactive. Look for stronger options to steal the initiative from White } )
[Event "üíÄ Most Common Mistakes in Chess üíÄ: Puzzle 4"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/xx2nOKJv/mmLxcTe2"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "6rr/2q2kb1/1p3p1p/pQpPpPp1/P3P1PP/1P2BK2/7R/2R5 w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.07.21"] [UTCTime "03:22:20"] [Variant "From Position"] 1. d6 ( 1. Rd2 { Too slow! Black can blockade the d-pawn with Qd6 } ) 1... Qxd6 2. Rd2 { Correct! White sacrifices a pawn for a nice initiative, and both of White's rooks will invade the d-file. }
[Event "üíÄ Most Common Mistakes in Chess üíÄ: Puzzle 5"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/xx2nOKJv/Si3KDYIO"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "r1b2rk1/q2nppbp/p1p3p1/3p4/N2P1P1P/5N2/PP1Q1PP1/2R1KB1R w Kq - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.07.21"] [UTCTime "03:23:15"] [Variant "From Position"] 1. h5 { Correct! Ignore the poison pawn on c6 and just continue attacking Black's king. } ( 1. Rxc6 { Although it is a free pawn, Black gets tons of piece activity to follow. Having the king in the center is not going to help White. } 1... Nf6 )
[Event "üíÄ Most Common Mistakes in Chess üíÄ: Puzzle 6"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/xx2nOKJv/7FmblqLz"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "1r4k1/5ppp/prpbqn2/8/1NpPp3/P1P1P2P/1P2QPP1/R1B1K2R b KQ - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.07.21"] [UTCTime "03:24:45"] [Variant "From Position"] 1... a5 { Great move! White's knight is not on an outpost, so freely kick it backwards to a future of inactivity } ( 1... Bxb4 $2 { You've just traded your strong bishop for White's knight, which is not even on an outpost. White will recapture with the a-pawn and free up the Ra1 as well. No good! } 2. axb4 )
[Event "üíÄ Most Common Mistakes in Chess üíÄ: Puzzle 7"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/xx2nOKJv/sgzMXNun"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "4r3/4Q3/p1q2pp1/1pp3k1/2P2R2/3P2P1/PP5P/6K1 w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.07.21"] [UTCTime "03:25:55"] [Variant "From Position"] 1. Qh7 ( 1. h4+ { It is tempting to continue checks, but Black can just retreat to h6 and the checks run out. } 1... Kh6 ) 1... Re1+ 2. Kf2 { Black runs out of checks and thus it is White who takes the initiative with the unstoppable mating threats of h4# and Qh4# }
[Event "üíÄ Most Common Mistakes in Chess üíÄ: Puzzle 8"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/xx2nOKJv/kWXWTFkS"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "4rrk1/1bpR1p2/1pq1pQp1/p3P2p/P1PR3P/5N2/2P2PP1/6K1 w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.07.21"] [UTCTime "03:27:06"] [Variant "From Position"] 1. Kh2 { Famous king walk from Nigel Short - Jan Timman 1991. The king cannot be stopped from reaching g5 or h6. Do not rush the attack! Bring all pieces (including possibly the king!) and then attack especially if Black is helpless anyways. }
[Event "üíÄ Most Common Mistakes in Chess üíÄ: Puzzle 9"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/xx2nOKJv/r6pNVf8R"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "rnb1r1k1/3pnpbp/2pBp1p1/ppP1P3/3PN1P1/5N2/PP1K1P1P/R4B1R w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.07.21"] [UTCTime "03:28:02"] [Variant "From Position"] 1. h4 ( 1. Bxe7 { It might seem like White's bishop is inferior to Black's knight in this closed position, but the bishop does a great job of restricting Black's entire queenside army. } 1... Rxe7 ) 1... Nd5 2. h5 { The Nd5 is on an outpost and White's Bd6 is seemingly shut off by its own pawns. But if you look deeper into the position, the Bd6 actually restricts Black's entire army on the queenside! A rapid attack on the h-file is deadly, while the black knight on d5, though on an outpost, is fairly harmless. }
[Event "üíÄ Most Common Mistakes in Chess üíÄ: Puzzle 10"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/xx2nOKJv/yehIN1Qs"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "r3k2r/4qpp1/p1n1p2p/1p1p4/2pPb3/P3PN1P/BPP2PP1/R2QK2R w KQkq - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.07.21"] [UTCTime "03:29:51"] [Variant "From Position"] 1. O-O { White castles in order to bring the king to safety. How should black proceed? } 1... g5 { Correct! Black utilizes the h3 pawn as a hook to open up the g-file for attack. Black definitely does not need to castle since the king is already quite safe where it is now in the center. Instead, placing a rook on the g-file is far more powerful once the file opens up. } ( 1... O-O { Hard to criticize castling, but it does give up another stronger opportunity... } )
[Event "üíÄ Most Common Mistakes in Chess üíÄ: Puzzle 11"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/xx2nOKJv/FBzqgble"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "2k3rr/1ppq4/1pnppn2/4p1pp/P1N1P3/3P2BP/1PP2PP1/R2Q1RK1 b - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.07.21"] [UTCTime "03:31:43"] [Variant "From Position"] 1... h4 ( 1... g4 { This is the right idea to pawn break on the kingside, but inaccurate here because White can easily close the kingside with h4, and suddenly it is White who gets the pawn break successfully with a5 next } ) 2. Bh2 g4 { Here black wins the race! }
[Event "üíÄ Most Common Mistakes in Chess üíÄ: Puzzle 12"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/xx2nOKJv/oGqdCwYq"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "5krr/1Q3p2/2p1p3/3pPn2/3P3p/P1N1q2P/5RP1/R5K1 w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.07.21"] [UTCTime "03:32:37"] [Variant "From Position"] 1. Nd1 Rxg2+ ( 1... Qxh3 { Greedy but it loses the initiative } 2. Qc8+ Ke7 ( 2... Kg7 3. Qxg8+ ) 3. Qc7+ Ke8 4. Rb1 ) 2. Kxg2 Rg8+ 3. Kf1 Ng3+ 4. Kg2 Ne2+ 5. Kh2 Qg3+ 6. Kh1 Qg1#
[Event "üíÄ Most Common Mistakes in Chess üíÄ: Conclusion"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/xx2nOKJv/4X20HDcK"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [Opening "?"] [UTCDate "2020.07.23"] [UTCTime "05:53:45"] [Variant "Standard"] { Thanks for viewing! If you have any other suggestions for studies, feel free to send me a message. If you want to get live updates on when a new study comes out, join my team: https://lichess.org/team/chess-openings-mastery-with-mr_penings -Mr_Penings }
[Event "56 Tactics That All Chess Players Should Know: Intro"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/txE6GcIe/NNwAfOqK"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/YJP"] [ECO "?"] [Opening "?"] [UTCDate "2021.07.21"] [UTCTime "13:37:49"] [Variant "Standard"] { Hi everyone! This study will focus on 56 chess tactics that you should know! As we all know "Tactics" are one of the 7 fundamental chess skills you should train. So, Without further ado, let's get started! Finally, I create studies every week, make sure to hit that like button to support me :D }
[Event "56 Tactics That All Chess Players Should Know: Credits"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/txE6GcIe/hOn3rM2s"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/YJP"] [ECO "?"] [Opening "?"] [UTCDate "2021.07.28"] [UTCTime "13:29:52"] [Variant "Standard"] { Credits to: Lichess, chessfox.com and Wikipedia for some of these comments and positions! }
[Event "56 Tactics That All Chess Players Should Know: Attraction"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/txE6GcIe/XKsVbnJy"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/YJP"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "2b2r1k/1pq2p1p/pn3P2/5nQ1/5P2/1B4P1/PP3B1P/4R1K1 b - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2021.07.21"] [UTCTime "13:45:03"] [Variant "Standard"] 1... Rg8 { Attraction occurs when you lure an enemy piece onto a square where it will become vulnerable to other tactical ideas. In this position white really wants black's king to be on g8, how could we force the black king to go to that sqaure? } 2. Qxg8+ { Awesome! Black has to take the queen! } 2... Kxg8 3. Re8#
[Event "56 Tactics That All Chess Players Should Know: ðŸ”‹Battery ðŸ”‹"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/txE6GcIe/XrOslQJO"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/YJP"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "r5k1/5ppp/8/8/8/8/3R1PPP/3R2K1 w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2021.07.21"] [UTCTime "13:51:52"] [Variant "Standard"] { In chess, a battery is when two or more pieces line up on the same diagonal, rank or file. Sadly, only queens, rooks and bishops can form a battery. In this position, white has two rooks lined up on the d file, ready to mate! } 1. Rd8+ Rxd8 2. Rxd8#
[Event "56 Tactics That All Chess Players Should Know: Clearance"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/txE6GcIe/clG8prAU"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/YJP"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "1k2q2r/1pp2pp1/p7/8/6n1/1BQ1P3/PP3PP1/2R2RK1 b - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2021.07.21"] [UTCTime "13:57:15"] [Variant "Standard"] { A clearance happens when a move clears a square, file or diagonal for a follow up tactic. In this position, black wants to clear the h8 sqaure for the queen. Could you do that with a rook sack? } 1... Rh1+ { Black is forced to take. } 2. Kxh1 { The h8 square is free again! } 2... Qh8+ 3. Kg1 Qh2# { Checkmate! Awesome! }
[Event "56 Tactics That All Chess Players Should Know: Counter Threat"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/txE6GcIe/dEe9Gt4y"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/YJP"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "5rk1/pbnq1ppp/1p6/8/8/5P1N/PP1BQ1PP/4R1K1 w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2021.07.21"] [UTCTime "14:03:49"] [Variant "Standard"] { Like the name, a counter threat is a move that ignores your opponent's threat since you can counter it with a bigger threat. } 1. Bb4 { White is aiming at your f8 rook but we'll ignore that, could you find the bigger threat? } 1... Qd4+ { Good job! We got a free bishop! [%cal Gd4g1,Gd4b4] } 2. Nf2 Qxb4
[Event "56 Tactics That All Chess Players Should Know: Decoy"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/txE6GcIe/Sg0e8bwO"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/YJP"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "8/8/8/Pk1P4/8/8/1K6/8 w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2021.07.21"] [UTCTime "14:09:27"] [Variant "Standard"] { A decoy is a tactical idea where you lure your opponent's piece away to achieve your goal. Can you find the move to lure the king away from the a pawn? } 1. d6 { Black has no choice but to take the a pawn or follow the d pawn. } 1... Kxa5 2. d7 Kb6 3. d8=Q+
[Event "56 Tactics That All Chess Players Should Know: Deflection"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/txE6GcIe/2ljlH9Of"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/YJP"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "4r3/pb4kp/1pp2np1/8/8/8/PP3PPP/3RR1K1 w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2021.07.21"] [UTCTime "14:14:53"] [Variant "Standard"] { Deflection is kind of a tactic to remove the defender. You deflect a defending piece by capturing another piece it is supposed to defend. In this position, the knight is protecting the rook on e8 and the d7 square, how can we kick the knight off from protecting the d7 square? } 1. Rxe8 { Good! The knight has to take! } 1... Nxe8 { Let's get the bishop!! } 2. Rd7+ Kg8 3. Rxb7
[Event "56 Tactics That All Chess Players Should Know: Discovered Attack"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/txE6GcIe/KQ9SYna9"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/YJP"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "r1b2rk1/ppp1bppp/4p3/8/N2q4/1P1B4/P2QPPP1/R4K1R w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2021.07.21"] [UTCTime "14:30:39"] [Variant "Standard"] { A discovered attack is a direct attack when one piece moves out of the way of another piece. Discovered attacks are one of the most powerful tactics. In this position,how can white win the queen on d4? [%csl Gd3] } 1. Bxh7+ { Good job! We move the bishop so now the queens are lined up! [%cal Gd2d4] } 1... Kh8 { Let's win the queen! } 2. Qxd4
[Event "56 Tactics That All Chess Players Should Know: Double Attack"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/txE6GcIe/ggyQF48q"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/YJP"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "5rk1/1p3ppp/pnqp4/8/8/1P2N1Q1/P4PPP/5RK1 w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2021.07.22"] [UTCTime "19:11:54"] [Variant "Standard"] { A double attack is a move that make multiples threats with one or more of your pieces. In this position, how can white threaten a fork and threaten mate at the same time? } 1. Nf5 { Awesome job! White is now threatening 2.Qxg7# or 2.Ne7+, forking the black king and queen. } 1... g6 { Black has no choice but to stop the mate. } 2. Ne7+ Kg7 3. Nxc6
[Event "56 Tactics That All Chess Players Should Know: Double Check"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/txE6GcIe/baoHbH0x"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/YJP"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "8/pr4kp/3b2p1/2p1R2n/8/3N2P1/PB3PK1/8 w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2021.07.23"] [UTCTime "12:57:46"] [Variant "Standard"] { A interesting fact about double check is the only way to get out of check, is by moving the king. Since it is not possible to capture or block two pieces at the same time. In this position, how can white give an amazing double check? } 1. Re7+ { Nice! Black cant take the white rook using the bishop or rook since the bishop is also giving check. } 1... Kf8 2. Rxb7 { White got a free rook and is ready to win this game! }
[Event "56 Tactics That All Chess Players Should Know: Perpetual Check"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/txE6GcIe/fnVJBVSF"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/YJP"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "6k1/6p1/8/5b1Q/1r6/pPq5/P1P2P2/1KR5 w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2021.07.23"] [UTCTime "13:03:58"] [Variant "Standard"] { Tactics are not only about winning, sometimes you're in a losing position and you really want a draw. Perpetual check is a tactic in which one player can force a draw by an unending series of checks. In this position, black has mate in 1 but white can force a draw. Do you see how? } 1. Qe8+ { Good job! Now white can just continue checking black and get a draw! } 1... Kh7 2. Qh5+ { checking with the rook was also a good move! } 2... Kg8 3. Qe8+
[Event "56 Tactics That All Chess Players Should Know: Perpetual Attack"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/txE6GcIe/YaVJKwOh"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/YJP"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "1r4k1/2p3bp/p2rb1p1/5p2/1p1Pn3/3QP3/PPP1B1PP/2KRR3 b - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2021.07.23"] [UTCTime "13:14:11"] [Variant "Standard"] { A perpetual attack is very similar to perpetual check, however instead of checking, you force your opponent to repeat the position by attacking a valuable target repeatedly. In this position, how can black force a draw by attacking one or more of white's valuable pieces? } 1... Nf2 { Good Move! Black is aiming to capture the white queen and the white rook. White has to move their queen so it will not get captured. } 2. Qd2 Ne4 { Awesome! We DO NOT take the rook instead we continue attacking the queen. } ( 2... Nxd1 { Sadly, this is wrong, white will still have more material and win the game. } ) 3. Qd3 { Only move white can play. Fabulous job! }
[Event "56 Tactics That All Chess Players Should Know: Stalemate Tactics"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/txE6GcIe/InyYCIhb"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/YJP"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "5rk1/7p/2p3p1/4Q3/8/7q/8/6K1 w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2021.07.23"] [UTCTime "13:21:32"] [Variant "Standard"] { White is in a very desperate situation here. How can white force a stalemate? } 1. Qg7+ { Good job! We sack the queen and if black takes, it would be stalemate! } 1... Kxg7 { Black has to take with the king, Bon travail! (Good job in french) }
[Event "56 Tactics That All Chess Players Should Know: Endgame Tactics / Example #1"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/txE6GcIe/QhexaYHI"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/YJP"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "5R2/5P2/2k5/8/5r2/8/8/6K1 w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2021.07.23"] [UTCTime "13:35:14"] [Variant "Standard"] { Whiteâ€™s pawn on f7 is blocked by their own rook. This is a common situation since the rook on f8 supported the advance of the pawn up to the 7th rank. In this position, how can white get a queen? } 1. Rc8+ { Good job! We give a check to the black king! } 1... Kd7 { Let's get the queen! } 2. f8=Q
[Event "56 Tactics That All Chess Players Should Know: Endgame Tactics / Example #2"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/txE6GcIe/JvbrwLz2"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/YJP"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "4n1k1/8/3NN1K1/8/8/8/8/8 w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2021.07.23"] [UTCTime "13:40:17"] [Variant "Standard"] { This is one of my favourite positions, this position looks like a draw, however white can mate in just 4 moves! Could you find this mating pattern? } 1. Nf7 { Terrific! Nc8 also works! BUT Taking the knight will only end up as a draw. } ( 1. Nxe8 { nope, now it's only a draw! } ) 1... Nd6 { Black continues to persuade white to take the knight. Let's give a check now! } 2. Nh6+ { Awesome, only mate in 2 now! } 2... Kh8 3. Ng5 { Nice! 3.Nd8! also works } 3... Ne8 { If black's knight was not here, it would've been stalemate! } 4. Ngf7# { CHECKMATE!! }
[Event "56 Tactics That All Chess Players Should Know: Fork"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/txE6GcIe/2ulgKiAI"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/YJP"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "2q1k3/3p1p2/4p3/8/4N3/8/2PPP3/2BK4 w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2021.07.28"] [UTCTime "13:01:29"] [Variant "Standard"] { A fork is a kind of double attack except a single piece makes multiple threats instead of many pieces. In this position, black has a whole queen. Can you find a way for white to win that queen? } 1. Nd6+ { Good Job! We are attacking both the king and the queen with the knight. [%cal Gd6c8,Yd6e8] } 1... Kd8 { Let's eat that queen! } 2. Nxc8 Kxc8
[Event "56 Tactics That All Chess Players Should Know: Greek Gift Sacrifice/ Example #1"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/txE6GcIe/OQhpHA0p"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/YJP"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "rnbq1rk1/pppn1ppp/4p3/3pP3/1b1P4/2NB1N2/PPP2PPP/R1BQK2R w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2021.07.28"] [UTCTime "13:05:41"] [Variant "Standard"] { The Greek Gift Sacrifice (also known as the classical bishop sacrifice) is a tactic when you sack your bishop on h7. A key feature of the Greek Gift Sacrifice is the placement of the white bishop on d3, the white knight on f3 and the white queen on d1, all ready to join in the attack against blackâ€™s king. Let's start by sacking our bishop on h7! } 1. Bxh7+ Kxh7 { continue with Ng5! [%cal Gf3g5] } 2. Ng5+ { Black cannot capture the knight, since it is protected by the bishop! [%cal Gd8g5,Rc1g5] } 2... Kh8 { In our first example, black decides to move his king to h8 which is a major mistake, white now has mate in 2! Can you find it? } 3. Qh5+ { Nice! } 3... Kg8 4. Qh7# { Tada! }
[Event "56 Tactics That All Chess Players Should Know: Greek Gift Sacrifice/ Example #2"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/txE6GcIe/dOLvG3ED"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/YJP"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "rnbq1rk1/pppn1ppp/4p3/3pP3/1b1P4/2NB1N2/PPP2PPP/R1BQK2R w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2021.07.28"] [UTCTime "13:11:13"] [Variant "Standard"] { You know what to do! } 1. Bxh7+ { Good, we sack the bishop again! } 1... Kxh7 2. Ng5+ { Yes Yes Yes! } 2... Kg8 { Let's continue with Qh5! Qd3 is also an amazing move in this position. [%cal Gd1h5] } 3. Qh5 { Black now has no choice but to take the knight, or else it's game over. } 3... Qxg5 4. Bxg5
[Event "56 Tactics That All Chess Players Should Know: Greek Gift Sacrifice/ Example #3"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/txE6GcIe/L8Ua3Sxv"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/YJP"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "rnbq1rk1/pppn1ppp/4p3/3pP3/1b1P4/2NB1N2/PPP2PPP/R1BQK2R w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2021.07.28"] [UTCTime "13:14:30"] [Variant "Standard"] { yawns* } 1. Bxh7+ Kxh7 2. Ng5+ Kg8 { The same moves as the last chapter! } 3. Qh5 { Black doesn't want to sack their queen so he goes for Re8 instead which is a big mistake! } 3... Re8 { How can we continue this attack? } 4. Qxf7+ { Awesome, we take the f pawn! } ( 4. Qh7+ { Sadly this is the wrong move, black plays Kf8 and they're still in the game. } ) 4... Kh8 { Continue checking! } 5. Qh5+ Kg8 { With the f pawn gone, now we can go the very dangerous Qh7+ [%cal Bh5h7] } 6. Qh7+ Kf8 { Only move for black. Mate in 2 now! } 7. Qh8+ Ke7 { Again the only move, could you see the mate in 1 for white? } 8. Qxg7# { Magnificent! } *
[Event "56 Tactics That All Chess Players Should Know: Interference"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/txE6GcIe/KOGx3Fqh"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/YJP"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "8/4b1k1/b1p1qpp1/4p2p/PP2P3/3r3P/2Qp1PP1/R2R2K1 w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2021.07.28"] [UTCTime "13:22:18"] [Variant "Standard"] { As we all know, interference in hockey is when a player uses his body to impede the progress of an opponent. In chess it's kinda similar. It happens when you block the connection between 2 of your opponent's pieces. In this position, how can we win black's bishop? } 1. b5 { Good job! If the bishop retreats then we get a free whole rook! } 1... Rd7 { hmm i wonder what to do? } 2. bxa6
[Event "56 Tactics That All Chess Players Should Know: Opposition"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/txE6GcIe/7DiDa8Pv"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/YJP"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "8/3k4/1K1p4/3P4/8/8/8/8 w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2021.07.29"] [UTCTime "13:42:45"] [Variant "Standard"] { Opposition is when two kings face each other on a rank or file with only one square between them. In this position, how can we win black's pawn with opposition? } 1. Kb7 { Awesome! Black is forced to move to d8, e8 or e7. [%cal Gd7d8,Yd7e8,Rd7e7] } 1... Ke7 { Black still wants his pawn so he continues protecting it. How could we continue in this position? } 2. Kc6 { Good Move! Black now has to move away from his pawn. } 2... Kf7 3. Kxd6 { White just got black's pawn and is preparing to promote and win the game. Fabulous job ! }
[Event "Beautiful Checkmates: Study by Ercole del Rio"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/YtBYXc3m/5AhCCiWR"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "5kr1/R6p/5b2/4n3/3N2Pq/2P4P/3Q3K/5R2 w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.11.17"] [UTCTime "22:58:48"] [Variant "Standard"] { Welcome to Beautiful Checkmates by NoseKnowsAll. This study is a compilation of all 64 of my reddit posts these past two months. Each position is a forced checkmate, with the difficulty ranging from 1500 - 2200+. I'll provide several hints that should help solidify the main themes of this study: forcing moves, deflecting/attracting defenders, intersection squares, and pure aesthetics. } 1. Ne6+ Ke8 2. Qd8+ $1 ( 2. Ra8+ { This rook was already doing an excellent job cutting off the enemy king's escape squares. How do we bring all the boys to the party in order to finish him off instead? } ) 2... Bxd8 3. Rf8+ ( 3. Ng7+ $4 { We have deflected the rook off the back rank, but our knight no longer is around to control the important f8 square! } 3... Rxg7 { [%cal Gf1f8] } ) 3... Rxf8 4. Ng7# { The first of many beautiful checkmates! Notice how it's crucial to first consider all forcing moves in a variation (including "crazy" moves like rook or queen sacrifices) if they further your goal of mating the enemy king. }
[Event "Beautiful Checkmates: Study by Ercole del Rio"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/YtBYXc3m/J1YU5t87"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "1k6/pb6/1p6/N4q2/3Q1pr1/8/6PP/3R3K w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.11.17"] [UTCTime "23:07:56"] [Variant "Standard"] { This is one of the hardest puzzles in this study, so don't feel bad if you can't find the all-important second move. Consider ALL forcing moves: checks, captures, and threats. } 1. Qd6+ Ka8 { If Kc8, then Qd8 immediately mates the black king } 2. Qc6 $3 ( 2. Nc6 { A good idea, but Rg8 defends any of the back-rank threats } ) ( 2. Qc7 $4 { Good idea, but after Bxg2+! white is actually the one getting mated! } 2... Bxg2+ ) 2... Qc8 { Did you calculate how to mate the opponent if bxa5 or Bxc6 was played? } ( 2... bxa5 3. Rd8+ Qc8 4. Rxc8# ) ( 2... Bxc6 3. Rd8+ Qc8 4. Rxc8# ) 3. Rd8 Bxc6 { Did you see how to mate the opponent if Rg8 was played? } ( 3... Rg8 4. Qxb7# ) 4. Rxc8#
[Event "Beautiful Checkmates: Steinitz - NN"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/YtBYXc3m/sMl1wh7V"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "r1q3kr/1p4p1/p1p2R1p/5p2/6PP/P3Q3/1P4P1/3R3K w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.11.17"] [UTCTime "23:13:17"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. Rd8+ ( 1. Qb3+ { A reasonable idea, but it doesn't get anywhere after Kh7 Rxh6 Kxh6! or Kh7 Qf7 Qe8! } 1... Kh7 2. Rxh6+ ( 2. Qf7 Qe8 $1 ) ) 1... Qxd8 2. Qe6+ Kh7 3. Rxh6+ gxh6 4. Qf7# { The first rook sacrifice allows our queen into the all-important e6 square. The second rook sacrifice allows for an Epaulette mate! }
[Event "Beautiful Checkmates: Krause - Meinhardt"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/YtBYXc3m/YV0sUPcw"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "4rk2/1Q3p1r/1p2bB2/p5Rp/P5pP/6P1/1Pq5/3R3K w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.11.17"] [UTCTime "23:17:15"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. Qe7+ $1 ( 1. Be7+ { This move also leads to mate. But aesthetics are worth something in this study. Find a more beautiful checkmate! } ) 1... Rxe7 2. Rd8+ ( 2. Rg8+ { Yes this move also leads to mate. Switch up the move order for the solution. } ) 2... Re8 3. Rg8+ Kxg8 4. Rxe8# { The weak back rank and all-important f6 bishop allowed a rook infiltration for mate! }
[Event "Beautiful Checkmates: Shkurovich - Khazin-Zlatanov"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/YtBYXc3m/Cqo4Ir5x"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "r7/2qnb1kp/p2p1nP1/1p1Pp1p1/6N1/3BB2Q/PPP4P/5RK1 w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.11.17"] [UTCTime "23:20:04"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. Qxh7+ ( 1. Qh6+ { Yes this move also mates, but it's a little slower. } 1... Kh8 2. g7+ Kg8 3. Bxh7+ Nxh7 4. Qg6 { [%cal Gg4h6] } ) 1... Nxh7 2. Rf7+ Kh8 3. g7+ ( 3. Nh6 { Yes this move also mates, with the threat of g7# and Rxh7#. Switch the move order for the solution. } ) ( 3. Rxh7+ { This move also mates, but it's incredibly slow. } ) 3... Kg8 4. Nh6# { While there are many mates in this position, it's important to recognize that sacrificing the queen is the key ingredient to opening up our own pieces, while simultaneously uncoordinating the defenders. }
[Event "Beautiful Checkmates: Kekhayov - Petrov"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/YtBYXc3m/r05kyMjK"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "6k1/1p2q1b1/p4R2/4BQ2/2pP4/2P4P/Pr3r2/6RK w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.11.17"] [UTCTime "23:24:19"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. Rxg7+ ( 1. Rf8+ $4 { Not mating. After Qxf8 Qe6+ Kh7, the best white can do is repeat. } 1... Qxf8 2. Qe6+ Kh7 3. Qg6+ Kg8 4. Qe6+ $10 ) ( 1. Qc8+ $2 { Not mating. After Kh7 our queen has actually moved further away from the intersection squares near his king. } 1... Kh7 2. Rxf2 Rxf2 3. Rxg7+ Qxg7 4. Bxg7 $18 ) 1... Qxg7 ( 1... Kxg7 2. Rf7+ { [%cal Ge5g7,Gf7g7] } 2... Kg8 3. Qh7# ) 2. Rf8+ Qxf8 3. Qg6+ Qg7 4. Qxg7# { Once we identify that getting our queen to g6 with check will be fatal, this position is simply a matter of figuring out the move order necessary to make that happen. }
[Event "Beautiful Checkmates: Podzerov - Kuntzevic"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/YtBYXc3m/FngKY69s"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "r3r2k/p2n1Qbp/b7/q2NNp2/1pB5/8/P4PPP/3R1RK1 w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.11.17"] [UTCTime "23:29:21"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. Qg8+ $3 Kxg8 ( 1... Rxg8 2. Nf7# ) 2. Ne7+ ( 2. Nf6+ { This is also mating, although the checkmate itself is a bit roundabout and less aesthetic than the solution. } 2... Kf8 3. Nfxd7+ Ke7 4. Nc6# ) 2... Kf8 3. N5g6+ ( 3. N7g6+ { This is also mating. Switch the move order for the solution. } ) 3... hxg6 4. Nxg6# { One of my favorite checkmates from this study! The knight and bishop alone coordinate to checkmate the naked black king! }
[Event "Beautiful Checkmates: Johannson - Rey"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/YtBYXc3m/faOIah54"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "6k1/1n3rr1/4Q3/P1pPp3/2P2pq1/3B3R/5P1K/8 w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.11.17"] [UTCTime "23:33:41"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. Qe8+ Rf8 2. Rh8+ $1 Kxh8 { I hope deflecting moves like that are starting to become routine candidates to you by now! } 3. Qxf8+ Rg8 4. Qh6# { The rook on g8 traps the king in the corner. }
[Event "Beautiful Checkmates: Stephensson - Brain"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/YtBYXc3m/3xjRcSov"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "r1b3k1/1p2q2p/p5pP/4p3/1PP3r1/4Q1P1/P3N3/3RKR2 w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.11.17"] [UTCTime "23:36:45"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. Rd8+ ( 1. Qc5 $1 $18 { This move also wins, but the solution is much more forcing. } 1... Qe8 2. Qxe5 Qxe5 3. Rd8+ Qe8 4. Rxe8# ) ( 1. Qxe5 $2 { A good idea because if black takes back then indeed you are mating your opponent. However, after Be6! there's no follow-up way to checkmate! } 1... Be6 $1 $16 ) 1... Qxd8 2. Qxe5 { [%cal Ge5g7] } 2... Qd7 3. Qh8+ $1 ( 3. Qf6 { This move also wins, but we want an aesthetic finish! Consider ALL forcing moves. } ) 3... Kxh8 4. Rf8# { Notice how with our king extremely safe, our forcing moves need not all be checks. Sacrificing a rook in order to sacrifice our queen for a back-rank mate is just beautiful! }
[Event "Beautiful Checkmates: Ehrenstein - Brigmane"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/YtBYXc3m/6Vjju0oF"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "5r1k/bp1rNppp/p7/6N1/8/4P3/PP3PPP/2R3K1 w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.11.17"] [UTCTime "23:43:00"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. Nxf7+ Rxf7 2. Rc8+ Rd8 3. Rxd8+ Rf8 4. Rxf8# { The weak back-rank strikes again! }
[Event "Beautiful Checkmates: Borisenko - Nakhimoskaya"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/YtBYXc3m/y7BN9H7u"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "4nqrk/r5pp/pn1p1p2/2pPpPPQ/2P4P/1P3P2/2BBK3/6RR w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.11.17"] [UTCTime "23:49:43"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. Qxh7+ $1 Kxh7 2. g6+ Kh8 3. Rg5 $1 ( 3. h5 $4 $17 { Too slow. We have a much more direct way to open up the h file } ) 3... fxg5 4. hxg5# { The f5-g6 pawn chain stops any possible defenders from getting over to the h file. }
[Event "Beautiful Checkmates: Piotrovsky - Tenenbaum"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/YtBYXc3m/bRw88mTK"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "2Q5/p3b1k1/2p2rPp/2q5/4B3/P2P4/7P/6RK w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.11.18"] [UTCTime "00:12:26"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. Qh8+ $1 Kxh8 2. g7+ Kg8 3. Bh7+ Kxh7 4. g8=Q# { A highly instructive position showcasing how bad the king is at blockading a passed pawn. In your own games, when you have a passed pawn, do everything you can to push it! }
[Event "Beautiful Checkmates: Skuja - Rozenbergs"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/YtBYXc3m/JLrcmgeu"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "1rb2n1k/5r1p/2pp1PpQ/4P3/p3P3/qBP2P2/P1P1N3/1K1R3R w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.11.18"] [UTCTime "00:14:50"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. Qxf8+ $1 Rxf8 2. Rxh7+ Kxh7 3. Rh1+ Bh3 4. Rxh3# { Sacrificing the queen on f8 deflects both defenders of the h7 square and highlights the power of the b3 bishop - even when it's pinned! }
[Event "Beautiful Checkmates: Vasiliev - Scherbakov"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/YtBYXc3m/BUyDPE9T"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "4r1r1/1p3k2/b3p3/3pPp1p/1B1Q1R2/6R1/PP2q1PP/6K1 w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.11.18"] [UTCTime "00:19:40"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. Rxf5+ ( 1. Qxd5 $4 { Not all the puzzles are queen sacrifices! } 1... exd5 2. Rxf5+ Ke6 3. Rf6+ Kxe5 $19 ) 1... exf5 2. Qxd5+ Re6 3. Qd7+ Re7 4. Qxe7# { A simple checkmate that nonetheless highlights how weak a central king can be behind a seemingly solid pawn center }
[Event "Beautiful Checkmates: Granberg - Dubnitsky"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/YtBYXc3m/yrtbspB1"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "1nbr3k/r5p1/p4pP1/1PpBN3/8/7n/1P1K4/5R1R w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.11.18"] [UTCTime "00:23:01"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. Nd7 $3 ( 1. Rf3 $4 { An interesting idea, but it directly loses to Rxd5+! } ) 1... Bxd7 { Did you see how to checkmate the opponent if he had taken with the knight or either rook? } 2. Rf3 $1 ( 2. Rf4 $4 { A good idea, but after Be6 (giving the king the g8 escape square), there is no followup. } 2... Be6 3. Rh4+ Kg8 $19 ) 2... Be6 { Not the only move, but all other moves lose to taking twice on h3 with mate. } 3. Rfxh3+ Kg8 ( 3... Bxh3 4. Rxh3# ) 4. Rh8# { A very different puzzle from the previous ones that highlights that the most forcing moves need not always be checks or captures. In this case, Nd7 was a double interference. After capturing the knight, either the d8 rook or bishop was no longer performing its crucial defensive task. }
[Event "Beautiful Checkmates: Munk - NN"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/YtBYXc3m/BqHole3g"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "kr3r2/1p2Rp2/pn4p1/1N5p/8/3Q2P1/PPP2q1P/1K5R w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.11.18"] [UTCTime "00:26:16"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. Nc7+ Ka7 2. Qxa6+ $1 bxa6 3. Nb5+ Ka8 4. Ra7# { The double check is the most forcing move possible, as it's not possible to block both checks simultaneously - the king must always move. }
[Event "Beautiful Checkmates: Study by Stamma"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/YtBYXc3m/KZnVzVV8"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "k1r5/p6r/1b6/1N3n2/5Qp1/3B1pBq/5P2/R5K1 w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.11.18"] [UTCTime "00:28:59"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. Be4+ $1 ( 1. Qb8+ $4 { No mate! Figure out the correct move order! } 1... Rxb8 2. Be4+ Rbb7 3. Rxa7+ Bxa7 $19 ) 1... Rb7 2. Qb8+ $1 ( 2. Rxa7+ $4 { No mate! Figure out the correct move order! } 2... Bxa7 3. Qb8+ Bxb8 ) 2... Rxb8 3. Rxa7+ Bxa7 4. Nc7# { A puzzle highlighting the importance of move order when constructing a mating net! }
[Event "Beautiful Checkmates: Capablanca - NN"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/YtBYXc3m/TqdfSCq3"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "3r3k/3r1P1p/pp1Nn3/2pp4/7Q/2b3R1/Pq4PP/5RK1 w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.11.18"] [UTCTime "00:33:12"] [Variant "Standard"] { Here Capablanca shows off his class. He's in a clearly winning position as all of his pieces are more active than his opponents'. Moreover, the mate itself is a beauty. } 1. Qxd8+ $1 Rxd8 2. f8=Q+ ( 2. f8=R+ $18 { This also wins. But let's not style on our opponent when he's about to get mated! } ) 2... Rxf8 3. Rxf8+ Nxf8 4. Nf7# { Once all of the black pieces that can control f7 have been deflected/captured with check, the knight sinks in for a corner mate. }
[Event "Beautiful Checkmates: 2000+ Chess Tempo Problem"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/YtBYXc3m/tEXIxASG"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "r7/5kp1/8/1pNnRp2/3P1P2/rp4PP/3R4/1K6 b - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.11.18"] [UTCTime "00:37:20"] [Variant "Standard"] { This position was taken from one of my 2000+ Chess Tempo puzzles. I got carried away trying to win material the first time I played this problem, but the checkmate in this position is truly aesthetic! } 1... Ra1+ 2. Kb2 R8a2+ 3. Kxb3 Rb1+ $1 ( 3... Rxd2 $2 { After Rxd5 you're barely even ahead in material. } 4. Rxd5 $17 ) 4. Kxa2 Nc3+ 5. Ka3 b4# { Truly a beauty! }
[Event "Beautiful Checkmates: Eglitis - Kamergrauzis"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/YtBYXc3m/QAgeOXta"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "r1b4k/p2nbrpB/1qn1p2p/1p1pP3/2pP1N2/P1P2N2/1P1B1KPP/RQ5R w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.11.18"] [UTCTime "00:42:08"] [Variant "Standard"] { When looking for a forced mate, it's important to stay focused on the absolute most forcing moves first. Don't get distracted by moves that allow defenders to block the attack. } 1. Ng6+ Kxh7 2. Nf8+ ( 2. Nxe7+ $2 { Tempting, but not mating. After Kh8, the best we have is Nxc6 which is unclear at best. } 2... Kh8 3. Nxc6 Qxc6 4. Qg6 $16 ) 2... Kg8 3. Qh7+ Kxf8 4. Qh8# { Black's congested 7th rank allows for a back-rank mate out of seemingly nowhere! }
[Event "Beautiful Checkmates: Bjorquist - Timman"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/YtBYXc3m/qM9xbmRb"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "r4rk1/1b2pp2/1q3npQ/4R1N1/ppp5/6NP/1PP2PP1/R5K1 w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.11.18"] [UTCTime "00:48:28"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. Nh5 $1 gxh5 { Do you see the mate if Nxh5 was played instead? } ( 1... Nxh5 2. Qh7# ) 2. Ne6 $1 fxe6 ( 2... Qxf2+ 3. Kxf2 Ng4+ 4. hxg4 fxe6+ { Annoyingly the best defense. But obviously completely losing for black. } ) ( 2... Qxe6 3. Rg5# ) 3. Rg5+ Kf7 4. Qg6# ( 4. Qg7+ $4 { Oh no! After Ke8, the black king has escaped! } 4... Ke8 $19 )
[Event "Beautiful Checkmates: Baugard - Klesh"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/YtBYXc3m/o2eDfhqi"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "r3br2/1pq2pk1/p3pNpp/4P3/1nP2Q2/5R2/PP2B1PP/R6K w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.11.18"] [UTCTime "00:53:43"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. Qxh6+ $1 ( 1. Nh5+ $4 { Tempting, but after gxh5 Rg3+ Kh7 there is no follow-up. } 1... gxh5 2. Rg3+ Kh7 3. Qe4+ Kh8 $16 ) 1... Kxh6 2. Rh3+ Kg5 { Did you see the checkmate if the king returns to g7? } ( 2... Kg7 3. Rh7# ) 3. Rf1 $3 Qxe5 { Rf1 sealed the king in and there's no escape! On any other move, Ne4# would have been played. } 4. Nh7# { When black's king is so vulnerable and our king is completely safe, we can afford to play a forcing move that is not check but merely further closes the mating net. Rf1 was the crucial move of this mate, since black could no longer stop both Ne4# and Nh7#. }
[Event "Beautiful Checkmates: Fischer - Myagmarsuren"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/YtBYXc3m/88AYWBz1"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "2r1q1k1/r4p1p/b3pBp1/n3P1QP/p2p3R/P5P1/2p2PB1/R5K1 w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.11.18"] [UTCTime "01:08:12"] [Variant "Standard"] { The most famous checkmate from this series. Bobby Fischer defeats his esteemed Mongolian opponent in style! } 1. Qh6 ( 1. hxg6 $4 { No mate! Black's rook on a7 can defend laterally after fxg6 } 1... fxg6 ) 1... Qf8 { Black needed to defend the mate on g7 } 2. Qxh7+ $1 Kxh7 3. hxg6+ Kxg6 4. Be4# { Again showcasing the power of double checks in forcing attacks - the king has to move! }
[Event "Beautiful Checkmates: Fatalibekova - Lysenko"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/YtBYXc3m/yjSkTaUc"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "5rk1/R1R4p/3p2p1/5p2/8/6QP/1qr3PK/8 w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.11.18"] [UTCTime "01:12:28"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. Qb3+ $1 Qxb3 2. Rg7+ Kh8 3. Rxh7+ Kg8 4. Rag7# { After building up a collection of mating patterns you recognize, you can pull from this catalog and apply it to your own games in order to quickly spot checkmates in positions like this one. I'd expect a lower rated player to struggle with this puzzle for quite some time, whereas a 2100 player should spot the solution in 5 seconds. }
[Event "Beautiful Checkmates: Popov - Angelov"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/YtBYXc3m/MGfYUoVh"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "r3rk2/p3Rp1p/1qp1bQ2/8/1p1P4/6R1/PP3PPP/6K1 w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.11.18"] [UTCTime "01:15:57"] [Variant "Standard"] { In my opinion, this is the second hardest puzzle in this study. If you're stuck, be sure to view the hint! } 1. Rd7 $3 ( 1. Rf3 { This move is technically mating, but Qxd4 complicates matters considerably... } 1... Qxd4 2. Rxf7+ Kg8 3. Rg7+ Kh8 4. Qxd4 c5 5. Qf6 Rf8 6. Rf7+ Kg8 7. Qg7# ) 1... Bxd7 { Did you see the mate if Qxd4 was played instead? } 2. Qd6+ $1 ( 2. Qh6+ $4 { After Ke7 there is no more follow-up! } 2... Ke7 3. Re3+ Kd8 $19 ) 2... Re7 3. Qh6+ Ke8 4. Rg8# { One of the hardest puzzles in this study! White plays Rd7 so that in the ensuing sequence, the d7 square is unavailable to the black king and he can be back-rank mated. }
[Event "Beautiful Checkmates: Krebs - Ginsburg"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/YtBYXc3m/AUXGEOZ9"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "rnb3Br/p1p4p/6p1/kp2b3/2Q1p3/4B3/P1PNKPPP/q6R w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.11.18"] [UTCTime "01:20:04"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. Nb3+ Ka6 2. Qa4+ $1 ( 2. Qxb5+ { The solution is more forcing than Qxb5, simply because now the white pieces cannot enter the fray fully with tempo } ) 2... bxa4 3. Bc4+ Kb7 4. Na5# { An aesthetic finish to a romantic king-walk game! }
[Event "Beautiful Checkmates: Supi - Carlsen"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/YtBYXc3m/2PinkTCE"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "2kr2nr/1pp2ppp/3b4/1P3q2/2Pp1B2/5Q1P/RP3PP1/R5K1 w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.11.18"] [UTCTime "01:23:27"] [Variant "Standard"] { This position was taken from an online blitz game between Supi and Carlsen in which the current World Chess Champion played in an enterprising, but dubious manner. Can you finish off Magnus? } 1. Qc6 $1 ( 1. Qxb7+ { No mate. The king can escape to the d file. } 1... Kxb7 2. Ra7+ Kc8 3. Ra8+ Kd7 ) 1... bxc6 2. bxc6 Qb5 3. cxb5 ( 3. Ra8+ { We're already down a queen, so we can't allow Magnus to block the check by sacrificing his queen back! } 3... Qb8 ) 3... Re8 { There's no longer a defense... } 4. Ra8# { Exactly! One of the rare positions where a pawn is just as valuable as a queen in checkmating the enemy king! }
[Event "Beautiful Checkmates: Tal - Rantanen"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/YtBYXc3m/L2Y2Een1"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "1rq1r2k/5Rbp/p2p1p1B/2p1p3/2P1P2Q/1P6/P5PP/3b2K1 w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.11.18"] [UTCTime "01:30:53"] [Variant "Standard"] { We join the middle of a flurry of tactics played by Mikhail Tal, a world champion famous for his wild and crazy attacking style. How did Tal finish off his opponent? } 1. Bxg7+ Kg8 2. Bh8 $3 ( 2. Qxf6 $4 { Reasonable, but Rb7 stops the follow-up idea of Bh6 and Qg7#. } 2... Rb7 $19 ) 2... Kxf7 { Did you see the mate if black played Kxh8 instead? } ( 2... Kxh8 3. Qxh7# ) 3. Qxf6+ Kg8 4. Qg7# { Another beautiful attack by the Magician from Riga! }
[Event "Beautiful Checkmates: Winter - Friede"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/YtBYXc3m/1kESDzeR"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "6k1/pp3ppp/2b1p3/2Q1P1P1/3rq3/5R2/P4R1P/6K1 w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.11.18"] [UTCTime "01:33:53"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. Qf8+ $1 Kxf8 2. Rxf7+ Ke8 3. Rf8+ Kd7 4. R2f7# { The bishop on c6 and pawn on e5 close the mating net around the black king. }
[Event "Beautiful Checkmates: Radovic - Kozlov"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/YtBYXc3m/kiiPwlV3"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "6r1/1pp1r1pk/3p1pRn/pP1P4/4qN1P/2P3Q1/6R1/6K1 w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.11.18"] [UTCTime "01:37:17"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. Rxh6+ $1 ( 1. Rxg7+ $4 { A tempting move, but it goes nowhere fast after black simply recaptures. We want moves that disallow defenders coming into the defense! } 1... Rexg7 $19 ) 1... Kxh6 { Did you see the mate if black played gxh6 instead? } ( 1... gxh6 2. Qxg8# ) 2. Qg5+ $3 fxg5 3. hxg5+ Kh7 4. Rh2# { The knight and g5 pawn form a wall that ensures the black king cannot escape the h file. }
[Event "Beautiful Checkmates: Spielmann - Hoenlinger"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/YtBYXc3m/KstInxXX"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "2r1nrk1/p4p1p/1p2p1pQ/nPqbRN2/8/P2B4/1B3PPP/3R2K1 w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.11.18"] [UTCTime "01:40:39"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. Ne7+ Qxe7 2. Qxh7+ Kxh7 3. Rh5+ Kg8 4. Rh8# { Spielmann was an early attacking great. }
[Event "Beautiful Checkmates: Bauser - Gellner"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/YtBYXc3m/uBRgxSjc"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "r3n3/pp2q1pk/2p1BnRp/8/2p2P2/1P5P/PB4QK/8 w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.11.18"] [UTCTime "01:43:22"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. Rxh6+ Kxh6 { The checkmate is equally beautiful if black played gxh6 instead. Did you see the win? } ( 1... gxh6 2. Qg8+ Nxg8 3. Bf5# { Two bishops - what else? } ) 2. Qg5+ Kh7 3. Qh4+ Kg6 4. f5# { In one variation we checkmate with the two bishops. In the other we checkmate with a pawn. A great position showing off how a different combination of pieces can form different mating nets. }
[Event "Beautiful Checkmates: Richardson - Delmar"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/YtBYXc3m/bjKz6dH1"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "rnb3kr/ppp2ppp/1b6/3q4/3pN3/Q4N2/PPP2KPP/R1B1R3 w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.11.18"] [UTCTime "01:46:15"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. Nf6+ $1 gxf6 2. Qf8+ $1 ( 2. Bh6 { Consider more forcing moves! Our king is too sketchy to play quiet threats in the position. } ) 2... Kxf8 3. Bh6+ Kg8 4. Re8# { A romantic attack from 1887. }
[Event "Beautiful Checkmates: Pillsbury - Maroczy"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/YtBYXc3m/FOCgD1Vp"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "2r4k/1p1b3p/p3p3/3pPp2/1P3Q2/6RK/1q6/7R w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.11.18"] [UTCTime "01:50:07"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. Qh6 $1 ( 1. Qh4 { This move is also mating, but the solution produces more important threats. } ) ( 1. Qg5 { This move is also mating, but after Qxe5 the mate is not immediate. } ) 1... Qxe5 { Did you see the mate if black had played Rg8 instead? } ( 1... Rg8 2. Qf6+ Rg7 3. Qxg7# ) 2. Qxh7+ $1 Kxh7 3. Kg2# { Harry Nelson Pillsbury finishes off his esteemed opponent in style! }
[Event "Beautiful Checkmates: Iris - Nuenchert"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/YtBYXc3m/3cAZRfCO"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "r2r1bk1/5b1p/p3p1pQ/q1p1Bp2/1nBP1P2/2N3R1/1P4PP/3R2K1 w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.11.18"] [UTCTime "01:54:29"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. Rxg6+ ( 1. Qxh7+ $4 { This move throws the game away because black is able to block the h file with Bh6! } 1... Kxh7 2. Rh3+ Bh6 ) 1... Bxg6 { Did you see the checkmate if black had played hxg6 instead? } ( 1... hxg6 2. Qh8# ) 2. Bxe6+ Bf7 3. Qg5+ Bg7 4. Qxg7# { The f7 bishop and h7 pawn were overloaded. Both needed to stop mate, but that rook sacrifice tipped the attack over the edge. }
[Event "Beautiful Checkmates: Strekalovsky - Shaposhlikov"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/YtBYXc3m/397Hca5B"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "8/p4pkr/1n3bp1/2p1Q2p/1q2P3/1B1R2N1/Pr3PP1/2R2K2 w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.11.18"] [UTCTime "01:56:41"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. Nf5+ gxf5 { Did you see the mate if black played Kf8 instead? } ( 1... Kf8 2. Qb8+ Bd8 3. Qxd8# ) ( 1... Kg8 2. Qe8# ) 2. Rg3+ Kf8 3. Rg8+ ( 3. Qd6+ { This move also mates } 3... Be7 4. Qb8+ Bd8 5. Qxd8# ) 3... Kxg8 4. Qe8+ Kg7 5. Qxf7+ Kh6 6. Qxf6# { Another Epaulette mate! }
[Event "Beautiful Checkmates: Mieses - von Bardeleben"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/YtBYXc3m/uFuJpeJn"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "k5r1/p4b2/2P5/5p2/3P1P2/4QBrq/P5P1/4R1K1 w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.11.18"] [UTCTime "02:00:27"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. Qe8+ $1 ( 1. c7+ { The move was played in the game, but after Rxf3 Qe8+ Rxe8+ Kb7! black survives for a bit longer. The solution is more precise. } 1... Rxf3 2. Qe8+ Rxe8 3. Rxe8+ Kb7 $1 ) 1... Rxe8 2. Rxe8+ Bxe8 3. c7+ Rxf3 4. c8=Q# { Jacques Mieses demolishes his opponent in this romantic king hunt! }
[Event "Beautiful Checkmates: Branka - Wittwer"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/YtBYXc3m/lP7KCU8y"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "1r4rk/1b1nqp1p/p2p1p2/1p2pP2/4P2Q/1B2BR2/PPP3PP/R5K1 w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.11.18"] [UTCTime "02:04:35"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. Qxh7+ ( 1. Rh3 { There's no immediate breakthrough after Rg7 } 1... Rg7 2. Bh6 Rbg8 ) 1... Kxh7 2. Rh3+ Kg7 3. Bh6+ Kh7 4. Bf8# { The rook bishop and all-important f5 pawn are enough to form a mating net around the black king! }
[Event "Beautiful Checkmates: Gavrilakis - Maranovic"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/YtBYXc3m/YlVPsuwt"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "6k1/R3Qpp1/8/3R3p/P7/8/KPr2q1P/6r1 w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.11.18"] [UTCTime "02:09:33"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. Qf8+ $1 ( 1. Qe8+ { This move also mates, but why not checkmate in style? } ) ( 1. Qd8+ { This move also mates, but why not checkmate in style? } ) 1... Kh7 { Did you see the checkmate if Kxf8 was played? } ( 1... Kxf8 2. Rd8# ) 2. Qh8+ $3 Kg6 { Did you see the checkmate if Kxh8 was played? } ( 2... Kxh8 3. Rxh5+ Kg8 4. Ra8+ Rc8 5. Rxc8# ) 3. Qxh5+ ( 3. Ra6+ { This also checkmates. } ) 3... Kf6 4. Qxf7# { One of my favorite puzzles! White sacrifices the queen twice in a row, and black is helpless to avoid checkmate. } ( 4. Rd6# { This move also mates. The other solution completes the ring-around-the-rosy. } )
[Event "Beautiful Checkmates: Ivanchuk - Savchenko"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/YtBYXc3m/X9FsPX74"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "6rk/5Qpp/2p4q/p1B1p3/P1P5/1R1B1PP1/Kb5r/8 w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.11.18"] [UTCTime "06:40:03"] [Variant "Standard"] { Black thought he was simply winning after Bxb2 because Rxb2 Rxb2+, Kxb2 Qd2+, Bc2 Rb8+ is forced checkmate. Can you prove that his move order was completely wrong? } 1. Qxg8+ $1 ( 1. Rxb2 $4 Rxb2+ 2. Kxb2 Qd2+ 3. Bc2 $4 Rb8+ $19 ) 1... Kxg8 2. Rb8+ Kf7 3. Rf8+ Ke6 4. Bf5# { Ivanchuk creates a beautiful Boden's mate in the middle of the board! }
[Event "Beautiful Checkmates: Bogoljubov - Monticelli"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/YtBYXc3m/7TmfyBn3"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "2k2r2/2p5/1pq5/p1p1n3/P1P2n1B/1R4Pp/2QR4/6K1 b - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.11.18"] [UTCTime "06:43:18"] [Variant "Standard"] { "When I'm white, I win because I'm white. When I'm black, I win because I'm Bogoljubov" Can you prove that he can't even win when he's white from this position? } 1... Ne2+ $1 2. Rxe2 { Did you see the mate if Kh2 was played instead? } ( 2. Kh2 Rf2+ 3. Kxh3 Qh1# ) 2... Rf1+ $1 ( 2... Qh1+ { An interesting try, but there's no mate after Kxh1 Rf1+ Kh2 } 3. Kxh1 Rf1+ 4. Kh2 ) 3. Kxf1 Qh1+ 4. Kf2 Ng4# { Bogoljubov was known for his enterprising chess. Too bad he was on the receiving end of this thrashing! }
[Event "Beautiful Checkmates: Reshevsky - Jovanovic"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/YtBYXc3m/bxHKaW5t"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "4r3/b4pk1/p3p3/Pp1pPnpp/1Pr4q/2P5/2BBRPPP/2R1Q2K b - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.11.18"] [UTCTime "06:49:06"] [Variant "Standard"] 1... Qxh2+ $1 2. Kxh2 Rh4+ 3. Kg1 Ng3 $1 4. Be3 { There was no defense, but this appears to be the best "try." } 4... Rh1# { From the starting position, black has 4 attackers and only white's queen and e2 rook were performing any sort of defensive duty. With those odds, a vicious attack was inevitable! }
[Event "Beautiful Checkmates: Lave - Mashele"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/YtBYXc3m/FBvPlnBm"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "7k/5p1p/p1b2pr1/8/3R1Q2/2N2P1K/PP2Nqr1/7R b - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.11.18"] [UTCTime "06:53:04"] [Variant "Standard"] 1... Rh6+ $1 ( 1... Bd7+ $1 { This move also mates. Switch the move order for the solution. } ) 2. Qxh6 { Did you see the mate if Qh4 was played instead? } ( 2. Qh4 Qxf3+ 3. Ng3 Qxg3# ) 2... Bd7+ $1 ( 2... Qxf3+ $1 { This move also mates, but you must find Kh4 Rg4+! with a ridiculous mating net in the middle of the board. } 3. Kh4 Rg4+ 4. Rxg4 Qxh1+ 5. Kg3 Qg2+ 6. Kf4 ( 6. Kh4 Qh2# ) 6... Qf2# ) 3. Rxd7 Qxf3+ 4. Kh4 ( 4. Ng3 Qxg3# ) 4... Qg4# { Another excellent example in deflecting the defenders from the crucial intersection squares near his king so that the attack can continue unabated. }