300 Most Important Tactical Chess Positions

by Thomas Engqvist

Overview

An International Master's instructive guide to essential tactical strategies and positions in chess. 

A comprehensive book from the Swedish International Master Thomas Engqvist for understanding the most important tactical chess positions in the opening of a game, the middle game and the endgame. It cuts to the chase on the must useful tactical positions at each stage of the game. Knowing the positions is one thing but this experienced coach shows you how to create them, even out of nothing, in the spirit of Tal and Alekhine.

It covers other important facets of tactical play, including calculation (how to calculate with the help of stepping stones), attacking play such as defence and counter attack, and even psychological tactics. Each numbered position can be seen as a test-yourself quiz (with answers given below the diagrams) to help cement tactical understanding. Since it's advisable to revise the positions from time to time, this book can be your life-long companion, enabling you to dramatically increase your tactical chess understanding. 

The perfect guide for players who want to reach a higher level but don't have time to spend hours every week on less productive study.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781849946124
Publisher:	Rizzoli
Publication date:	03/04/2021
Pages:	304
Product dimensions:	6.02(w) x 9.19(h) x 0.86(d)

About the Author

Thomas Engqvist is an International Master from Sweden. He has over 30 years' experience as a chess coach and teacher. He has worked with players at world championship level in both junior and correspondence chess. He is the author of 300 Most Important Chess Positions and 300 Most Important Tactical Chess Positions, both published by Batsford.

Thomas Engqvist is an International Master from Sweden. He has over 30 years' experience as a chess coach and teacher. He has worked with players at world championship level in both junior and correspondence chess. He is the author of 300 Most Important Chess Positions and 300 Most Important Tactical Chess Positions, both published by Batsford.

Table of Contents

Introduction 5

Part 1 150 most important tactical positions in the Opening and the Middlegame 13

1-27: Five basic tricks: Fork, Discoverer, Pin, Trapping and Overloading 13

28-45: Mating Combinations 36

28-39: The magnet sacrifice and back rank mate 36

40-45: Other mating combinations 49

46-47: Stalemate 53

48-49: Composing and Solving Problems 54

50-59: Calculation of Variations 56

50-52: Candidate moves 56

53-54: Motif and Theme 59

55-56: Stepping stones 62

57-58: Evaluations 65

59: Pragmatism or deep analysis? 67

60-74: Knight Manoeuvres and Knight Sacrifices 70

75-96: Bishop Manoeuvres and Bishop Sacrifices 84

97-99: Exchange Sacrifices 110

100-109: Rook Manoeuvres and Rook Sacrifices 114

110-113: Queen Manoeuvres and Sacrifices 125

114-116: King Manoeuvres 129

117-139: Pawn Play 132

117-128: The unexpected pawn break 132

129-132: The unexpected pawn push 144

133-138: The passed pawn 149

139: Dynamic play with pawns 156

140-150: Attacking the King 159

140: Attacking the king with pawns 159

141-143: Attacking the king with pieces 160

144: Prophylaxis against an attack on the king with pieces 165

145-146: Attack on the king with major pieces 166

147-149: Attack and defence where diagonals are involved 168

150: Counterattack or prophylaxis? 173

Part 2 150 most important tactical positions in the Endgame 176

151-168: Pawn Endings 176

169-180: Knight Endings 190

181-200: Bishop Endings 201

201-210: Knight and Bishop Endings 217

211-273: Rook Endings 224

274-300: Queen Endings 266

Editorial Reviews

‘An excellent read for any player serious about getting better at chess’

—American Chess Magazine

From the Publisher