The Magic of Chess Tactics 2: Intuition, Imagination & Precision

by Claus Dieter Meyer

Overview

Tactical Fireworks!

When released in 2002, the first volume of The Magic of Chess Tactics by FIDE Master Claus Dieter Meyer and German Grandmaster Karsten Müller was extremely popular. It was one of the first books to deal with tactics on high level. Like the first book, intended for advanced (Elo 1800+) players, this second volume puts special tactical motifs and themes under the analytical microscope.

Complicated tactics – the kind that separate tournament winners from the pack – require intuition, imagination and precision. The focus in this book is on attacking techniques and transformations. The contents include: Attacking with the Queen and Knight; The Knight on the Attack; Attacking with Bishops of Opposite Colors; Pins; Learn from the World Champions; and Exchanges & Transformations. The reader will find the analysis comprehensive and challenging.

Dozens of exercises help reinforce the reader's understanding of this complex subject matter. So, roll up your sleeves and prepare to ride herd on tactical fireworks and sharpen your tactical skills.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781941270820
Publisher:	Russell Enterprises, Incorporated
Publication date:	12/29/2017
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	16 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

FIDE Master Claus Dieter Meyer has become well known in Germany as an analyst and chess trainer. He has authored and translated many chess books. Though in retirement now, “CD” still has a passion for analyzing and training.

Grandmaster Dr. Karsten Müller has been recognized as one of the world's experts on the endgame. He is the co-author with international master Frank Lamprecht of the highly acclaimed Secrets of Pawn Endings (2000) and Fundamental Chess Endings (2001). Also quite popular is his 2009 work, Bobby Fischer, The Career and Complete Games of the American World Chess Champion. His passion for chess tactics can be seen in several books, including the four Chess Puzzle books, The Magic of Chess Tactics, and the revised editions of The Art of Sacrifice in Chess and The Tactician's Handbook.

Read an Excerpt

Chapter 1: Attacking with the Queen and Knight

By virtue of their unique movements, the queen and knight make quite an effective duo. They are especially dangerous in a direct attack upon the king – the latter often times made possible by a weak-square complex.

The Dominant Q+N Duo I
Conjunction of tactical methods

01.01 Predke – Solak
Legnica 2013

[Diagram]

Black to move
Position after 32.Be2-f1?

The weak d4-pawn and open h-file have emerged as fertile ground for attacking motifs:

32...Qg4!

32...Qh5 33.Bg2 Qg4! 34.Rb4 (34.Bf3 Qxd4o; 34.Qf3 Qxf3 35.Bxf3 Nxd4o) 34...Qd1+ 35.Bf1 transposes into the game.

33.Rb4

Surrendering the pawn d4-pawn would be hopeless, e.g., (a) 33.Bg2 Nxd4 34.Qe3 Rc8o or 34...Ra8o; (b) 33.Qd3 Nxd4 34.Bg2 Rc8o or 34...Ra8

But now White's back rank has become weak, and this invites a little combination by Black.

33...Qh5! 34.Bg2 Qd1+ 35.Bf1

[Diagram]

What happens now?

35...Rh1+! 0-1 White resigned the game already here. The exchange sacrifice is clearly the strongest: It activates the Q+N duo that has been waiting in ambush in order to pull the white king into a mating net: 36.Kxh1 Qxf1+ 37.Kh2 Qxf2+ 38.Kh3 (38.Kh1 Nxg3+o) 38...Ne3! and White is helpless against the mating attack. There could follow: (a) 39.Rb2 Qf1+ 40.Kh2 (40.Kh4 Qf3 followed by mate) 40...Ng4#; (b) 39.Qb2 Qf1+ 40.Kh4 Qh1+ and 41...Qh6 mate (40...Qf3o is also good)

Dominating Q+N Duo II
Good and bad transformations, static and dynamic chess, Q+N duo only impresses behind the scenes in the analysis

01.02 Korobov – Volokitin
Kharkov 2004

Black to move
Position after 32..Ba3-d6?!

Black must play skillfully if he is to exploit his advantage in material and position.

32...Kh7? Rather than seize the chance to radically transform the position in dynamic fashion, Black takes the static approach of merely nursing his pawn advantage. What is even worse: White can now consolidate his forces in the best possible way and trade down to an endgame in which Black's edge is negligible.

Noteworthy alternatives:

(I) 32...Kh8?! 33.Be5 The ideal post that the bishop has been aiming for. (But not 33.Qc7? Rg8 34.Qxc4 Nc1 35.Kg2 Nd3 36.Rf1 Ne1+ 37