Allumwandlung, also known as complete promotion or AUW in German, is a chess problem motif that involves the transformation of a pawn, or multiple pawns, into different pieces such as a queen, rook, bishop, or knight during the course of the solution.
Month: August 2023
Tactical Tips
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Skewer: How to win by a reverse pin
A skewer in chess is an offensive maneuver that targets two pieces in a straight line, much like a pin. However, there is a fundamental distinction between the two tactics. In a skewer, the higher-value piece is directly threatened, whereas the lower-value piece is positioned behind it.
Opening Theory
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Learn to play Tal Variation against Caro-Kann Defense
The Tal Variation 4. h4 is one of the less popular attacks against the Advance Variation of the Caro-Kann Defense, but it definitely belongs to the aggressive category. It was popularized by the eighth World Chess Champion Mikhail Tal, and it can become a dangerous weapon in an attacking player’s hands, so it’s probably good to know something about it.
Tricks And Traps
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Magnus Smith Trap in Sicilian Defense: How to win the queen
The Magnus Smith Trap, named after Magnus Smith (1869–1934), a renowned Canadian chess champion, is a strategic maneuver that occurs within the Sicilian Defense, one of the most popular chess openings against 1. e4.
Endgame Strategy
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Advanced: Rook and two pawns vs. rook
We need not further reason that most positions are won for the stronger party. In particular, the two connected passed pawns are naturally extremely strong. If they are supported by their own king, they win almost automatically.
Variants
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Janus Chess: The two-face piece with German origins
The janus piece possesses the combined movement abilities of both a bishop and a knight. The name of this unique chess piece draws inspiration from the Roman deity Janus, renowned for being depicted with two faces gazing in opposing directions.
Curiosities
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Plachutta Device, as seen in famous Tarrasch combinations
The pattern was named after Joseph Plachutta, a chess player and problem composer, who lived in the 19th century in Croatia. Let’s see his famous study that introduced the mentioned tactic.
Opening Theory
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Learn to play Ponziani Gambit in Bishop’s Opening
The Bishop’s Opening is one of the oldest openings to be analyzed. Black has a wide range of options for their second move, since White’s second move does not pose an immediate threat. The Ponziani Gambit, which involves White playing 3. d4, is a more assertive approach to countering the Berlin Defense. This move allows White to launch a direct attack in the center.
Tactical Tips
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Rooks on the seventh rank are powerful
Having a rook positioned on the seventh rank, which is also the second rank of the opponent’s side, is commonly acknowledged as a potent tactical advantage. This is because such a rook poses a serious threat to the unadvanced pawns of the opponent, and also restricts the movements of their king.
Is Chess a Sport? The Age-old Debate Settled
Is Chess a Sport? The Age-old Debate Settled For centuries, the game of chess has…