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LCB, Issue #069 --, Use Different Tactics in Concert to Win
March 01, 2021

Use Different Tactics in Concert to Win

Lapoc Chess Board, Issue #069 -- GOTM #39


learn and play online chess
As you try to gain an advantage over your opponents, the strategic struggle takes place in the middlegame. You try to gain the positional edge, always alert for tactical possibilities that could swing things in your favor.

The masters will never confine themselves to a single idea, a one-dimensional jab at their opponents. They understand that the key to victory lies in creating as many simultaneous threats as possible as they attempt to overwhelm the enemy.

Several tactical ideas can be utilized throughout the encounter as you ask your opponent all kinds of questions, constantly moving the point of attack. You hope in this way you can eventually force a breakthrough as in the end your adversary will be unable to resolve every problem you create for him.

A good example of this is found in a game in Oberhausen between Roman Albero and Mikhail Tal. Tal was wrestling with Botvinnik for the World Championship around this time. It was a telling illustration of how to blend multiple tactics together to construct a deadly attack.



Use Different Tactics in Concert to Win



Albero, Roman Toran - Tal, Mikhail [C45]


GotM #39 - Oberhausen, 1961
[Connaughton, Ken]

1.c4

English Opening

1...e5

Reversed Sicilian

2.Nc3 d6 3.g3

White gets ready to fianchetto on the long diagonal. The g2-Bishop is often referred to the English Bishop.

3...f5

Always a courageous idea for Black. ...f5 appears in a multitude of openings, always with attacking ideas for Black but there are dangers that come with it. This move definitely weakens Black's Kingside.

4.d4

Attacking the center.

4...e4 5.f3 Nf6 6.Bg2 exf3 7.Nxf3 g6 8.0-0 Bg7 9.e4

Game position after 9.e4

Going after the center again.

9...fxe4 10.Ng5 0-0 11.Ngxe4 Nxe4 12.Rxf8+ Qxf8 13.Nxe4

As the dust settles it looks as though White has a slight spatial advantage and his Queenside is slightly more developed.

13...Nc6 14.Be3 Bf5

Game position after 14...Bf5

White's pieces on the e-file provide an opportunity for Black.

15.Qd2 Re8

Black has got his pieces going and is now applying pressure down the e-file.

16.Ng5

The best.

(16.Rf1=; 16.Qc2 Qe7 17.d5 Nb4 18.Qd2-+)

16...Rxe3!

Game position after

16...Rxe3!

White of course can't recapture.

17.Bd5+!

But he finds a remarkable counterstroke that seems to earn him a perpetual check and a draw.

(17.Qxe3? Bxd4)

17...Kh8 18.Nf7+ Qxf7!!

Game position after 18.Nf7+ Qxf7!!

But Tal isn't most people. No draw for him, he plays only to win.

(18...Kg8 Most people playing Black would probably sigh and accept a draw with: 19.Nh6+ Kh8 20.Nf7+ Kg8 21.Nh6+=)

19.Bxf7

After the Queen Sacrifice, Black goes straight on the offensive with a blistering attack.

19...Rd3 20.Qe2 Bxd4+

Black's pieces are swarming into White's camp with tempo.

21.Kg2 Ne5 22.Rd1

White tries to trade but Black always manages to keep a plurality of threats going with his replies.

22...Re3 23.Qf1 Be4+

23...Be4+

Black's pieces are beautifully centralized in contrast with White's disparate, ineffectual forces.

24.Kh3 Rf3 25.Qe2 Bf5+

Game position after 25...Bf5+

And White, with his King rapidly running out of road, quits here.

(After 25...Bf5+ White was losing material quickly and/or gating mated: 26.Kh4 Rf2-+ (26...Re3-+))

0-1

Albero - Tal, Oberhausen, 1961)


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See you next month.

Ken

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