Opening a file for a rook is a crucial tactic that players often use to gain control of the board and create an advantage over their opponents. Black sacrifices a bishop to unleash a devastating attack on the h-file.
Curiosities
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Why would anyone underpromote a pawn? Watch and learn
This is among a minority of positions where king and pawn can win against a king and rook, and one of the most famous examples of underpromotion in chess. It is also a rare example of a player being famous for a single move.
Endgame Strategy
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Beginner: Checkmate with a queen
The basic strategy for winning with a queen and king against a lone king is to use the queen to control key squares and cut off the opposing king’s escape routes. This allows the king to move in and check the opposing king, forcing it to move to a square where it can be captured.
Tactical Tips
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Cross-Check: The counter-offensive is the best defense
In chess, a cross-check is a tactic in which a check is played in response to a check, especially when the original check is blocked by a piece that itself either delivers check or reveals a discovered check from another piece.
Opening Theory
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Learn to play Traxler Counterattack: Not for the faint-hearted
Overall, the game Reinisch vs Karel Traxler is a brilliant example of attacking chess, and has inspired many players to try the Traxler Counterattack in their own games.
Variants
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The Atomic Chess Theory: Kamikaze pieces for the win
In atomic chess, a capture causes an “explosion” through which both pieces are removed from the board as well as all non-pawn pieces in the eight squares immediately surrounding the capture.
Full Game Analysis
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Queen’s Gambit Accepted, Alekhine System: Read him like a Böök
It was in this tournament that Alekhine won a really wonderful game against the Finnish master, Böök. The chief feature of the game is the remarkably intuitive nature of the sacrifices involved.
Tricks And Traps
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Blackburne Shilling Gambit: Set a trap for a greedy opponent
The opening is not a true gambit, since White cannot take the pawn on e5 without losing material. The only virtue of the dubious third move of Black is that it sets a trap that has ensnared many players.
Tactical Tips
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Artificial Castling: Protect your king by hand
Artificial castling, also known as castling by hand (or manual castling), is a positional maneuver used by players that want to achieve a castled position without the use of castling.
Opening Theory
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Learn to play Latvian Gambit: A blast from the past
Let’s say it in the beginning – the Latvian Gambit is a controversial opening, and…