The best tactics in chess. How to almost always win at chess

Agree, not all of us can say with confidence that we know how to play chess well. Most people are only familiar with how the pieces move, their names, and the order in which they appear. But chess is one of the most interesting games. It’s quite difficult to guess where this or that move might lead you, and who will win. Many of those who are far from this exciting game, and even novice players ask: “Is it true that professional chess players know almost all of other people’s moves and can predict their opponent’s actions?” You shouldn't be surprised, but this is truly true. In chess, openings are tactics and strategies in which you can predict your opponent's actions in advance.

General information

Openings appeared in chess more than two hundred years ago. And in the 19th century they already became high art. At that time chess was very popular game, they took pride of place among other competitions. A large number of championships were held then, and they received much more attention than in our time. And grandmasters devoted a lot of time to creating strategies that allowed them to win with a minimum number of losses. Imagine, long before computers appeared, it was possible to calculate a game for five, or a maximum of ten moves! You are probably wondering how the invention of the computer affected the game of chess. A huge breakthrough was made, as it became possible to calculate the most complex algorithms and tasks. It was with the help of a computer that openings in chess helped calculate moves even for twenty transitions. This makes the game predictable, doesn't it? Unfortunately, the use of these automatic calculations has done its job, turning the mind game into a mechanical one - you can foresee what your opponent will do, and you will always know the best way to go.

Opening strategies

The main principles of openings.

  • Develop your figures as soon as possible.
  • Be sure to control the center.
  • Provide security for the king.
  • Counteract the enemy in every possible way.
  • Link your game plan to the middlegame and endgame.

There are openings in chess for white and black - for example, the "Scottish Game". This option attracts the player because he himself chooses the direction of the fight. At the same time, the black pieces have to adapt to tactics. What kind of debuts are there? We list it.

  • Open.
  • Half open.
  • Semi-closed.
  • Closed.
  • Flanking.

Quite often they do not distinguish between a half-closed and closed opening, combining them into one - closed. Flank can also be included in this category. In addition, all openings are divided according to correctness. So, they can be right and wrong. We should also not forget that openings in chess for the 1st category are somewhat different from others.

Tactics today

It was in the twentieth century that the most active development of openings began, and completely new beginnings were created. In the second half of this century, the study of tactics essentially came down to thinking about some options that arose in already familiar principles. At the end of the century he said: “... chess theory develops in half steps somewhere between 20 and 25 moves. No new strategy, no new ideas, no new systems...” Due to the fact that openings in chess have evolved over several centuries, as well as the advent of powerful computers and high-quality programs, unfortunately, tactics themselves have ceased to be the most creative part of the game. Almost everything existing options underwent a thorough analysis. Today, as already mentioned, the miscalculation reaches 15-20 moves, and maybe even further.

Chess openings for beginners

Because of such elaboration, the requirements for the game become very serious. Therefore, all novice players must know the basic opening options. And these days it’s impossible for a professional to play without them. He must have a huge set of openings, plus he must work them out carefully. Because of this, most chess players are critical of openings. They believe that the initial stage of the party is "monstrously computerized." The indignation is caused by the fact that in the opening stage there is almost no place for the art of chess. It is believed that tactics and strategies are not the most difficult thing in chess. Most players, even beginners, thanks to their knowledge of the basic openings, can fight an opponent stronger than them at the same level. Fischer chess is called a way to avoid the problems of learning tactics, since it is impossible to memorize variations due to the random position of the pieces at the beginning of the game.

Conclusion

But all beginning players should definitely learn openings. Without them, they will not be of any interest to the enemy, even if they have certain skills. Nowadays, openings are very popular in chess, and therefore there is no point in thinking about their meaning and advantages. That is why in order to learn how to play, you just need to study them. And some of them should even be memorized - there is a high probability that you will need them on the game board.

STRATEGY AND TACTICS IN CHESS

Game tactics- a term from military terminology. Something like combat tactics. Namely, tactics includes the development, preparation and implementation of combat operations.

In essence, it is the ability to manage all available resources.

Chess tactics– a set of techniques for implementing strategy in a chess game. I hope I didn't confuse you too much.

That is, the tactics of playing chess in a broad sense consists of the following components:

  1. Strategy is the path to achieving the desired result in a particular game.
  2. Chess tactics are tools for implementing strategy.

Strategy – planning, tactics – implementation. We discussed the game strategy in this article.

Today we'll talk about tactics.

CHESS TACTICS

The importance of tactics in a chess game is no less than strategy. Perhaps even more.

A chess player can evaluate a position well and formulate good plans. But if he does not have a sufficient tactical arsenal, he will not be able to implement them and bring them to the desired result.

Moreover, the cost of a tactical mistake is higher than a strategic one. If you checkmate in two turns, all your strategic achievements are instantly worthless.

During a game, tactical issues are resolved by a chess player much more often than he is faced with strategic issues.

Tactical Arsenal

We have already discussed various tactics. Double punch, fork, pin - all this is the tactical arsenal of a chess player. Of course it's incomplete. All these techniques are practiced.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS

A tactical operation creates a stage of the game, which includes a sequence (often forced) of moves with a specific goal.

At this stage, the moves have a logical sequence. Each of which may seem incomprehensible, but together they create an understandable whole.

A tactical operation consists of three stages:

  1. Finding an idea
  2. Calculation of options
  3. Impact assessment

One of the types of tactical operations in a chess game is combination. In essence, this is a tactical operation with casualties.

All three components of a tactical operation are equally important. For example, assessing consequences. It is important to see whether the benefits of the combination will be offset by other factors. For example, you won a pawn, but your queen was trapped.

Almost always, the ability to carry out a successful tactical operation or combination relies on already accumulated positional advantages.

EXAMPLES OF TACTICS IN THE SERVICE OF STRATEGY

Attack tactics

Black successfully carries out his plan to “squeeze” White’s kingside. With the help of an outpost on e4 they moved pieces to attack.

From my own experience, I will say that in such a position there is a strong feeling that a tactical strike is ripe.

That is, the translation of positional advantages into results. In this case, the result is seen as a mating attack. The question is which option leads to the goal. It is not difficult to make sure that direct sacrifices do not go through. But still:

1…Rg3!!

2.fg If you don't take the rook, the sacrifice on h3 decides.

2….Kg4+

3.Kh1 Q:g3

and checkmate in the next move.

Endgame tactics

In the endgame, the most important theme is the promotion of the pawn. It is with the aim of ensuring the passage of a pawn that combinations are often carried out.

For example:

Who said rook endings can't be won?

1.L:s2!! L:s2(on 1…Rd8 –2.Rs6 and Ke4 winning)

2.d7 and you can't hold the pawn.

A typical technique for fighting rook against rook in similar positions is if Black is on 1.L:s2 play 1…La8, That 2. d7 Kf7 3. Rc8!

and White wins.

Another example:

How to play as white?

Now Black has two possibilities to hold up the pawn, but... both run into “tactics”.

1. …R:g4 2.a6 Rg1 3.a7 Ra1 4.Ra3!!

and White wins.

Second option:

1. a5 R:g4 2.a6 Rh4 3.Rd8!!

And after 3…K:d8 4.a7 you can't hold the pawn.

Frankly speaking, knowing endgame tactics is extremely important. Tactical opportunities in the endgame are more common than is commonly believed.

Finally:

How to learn tactical skills?

  • Find and remember exact positions. The set of such positions should be constantly replenished. These are, in a sense, the end points of your tactical operations.
  • Remember typical techniques.
  • “Play” various tactical strikes and combinations in your mind. To develop spatial imagination.

And of course, practical play and analysis of the games played. Skill is formed only by practice.

Good day, dear friend!

There is some confusion in the concept of tactics in chess. I don’t know whether you will be surprised or not, but the concepts of “chess playing tactics” and “ chess tactics"are somewhat different.

Strategy and tactics in chess

Game tactics- a term from military terminology. Something like combat tactics. Namely, tactics includes the development, preparation and implementation of combat operations.

In essence, it is the ability to manage all available resources.

Chess tactics – a set of techniques for implementing strategy in a chess game. I hope I didn't confuse you too much.

That is, the tactics of playing chess in a broad sense consists of the following components:

  1. Strategy is the path to achieving the desired result in a particular game.
  2. Chess tactics are tools for implementing strategy.

Strategy – planning, tactics – implementation. We discussed the game strategy in the article.

Today we'll talk about tactics.

Chess tactics

The importance of tactics in a chess game is no less than strategy. Perhaps even more.

A chess player can evaluate a position well and make correct plans. But if he does not have a sufficient tactical arsenal, he will not be able to implement them and bring them to the desired result.

Moreover, the cost of a tactical mistake is higher than a strategic one . If you checkmate in two turns, all your strategic achievements are instantly worthless.

During a game, tactical issues are resolved by a chess player much more often than he is faced with strategic issues.

Tactical Arsenal

We have already discussed various tactics. Double strike - this is all the tactical arsenal of a chess player. Of course it's incomplete. All these techniques are practiced.

Tactical Operations

A tactical operation creates a stage of the game, which includes a sequence (often forced) of moves with a specific goal.

At this stage, the moves have a logical sequence. Each of which may seem incomprehensible, but together they create an understandable whole.


A tactical operation consists of three stages:

  1. Finding an idea
  2. Calculation of options
  3. Impact assessment

One of the types of tactical operations in a chess game is. In essence, this is a tactical operation with casualties.

All three components of a tactical operation are equally important. For example, assessing consequences. It is important to see whether the benefits of the combination will be offset by other factors. For example, you won a pawn, but your queen was trapped.

Almost always, the ability to carry out a successful tactical operation or combination relies on already accumulated positional advantages.

Examples of tactics in the service of strategy

Attack tactics

Black successfully carries out his plan to “squeeze” White’s kingside. With the help of an outpost on e4 they moved pieces to attack.

From my own experience, I will say that in such a position there is a strong feeling that a tactical strike is ripe.

That is, the translation of positional advantages into results. In this case, the result is seen as a mating attack. The question is which option leads to the goal. It is not difficult to make sure that direct sacrifices do not go through. But still:

1…Rg3!!

2.fg If you don't take the rook, the sacrifice on h3 decides.

2….Kg4+

3.Kh1 Q:g3

and checkmate in the next move.

Endgame tactics

In the endgame, the most important theme is the promotion of the pawn. It is with the aim of ensuring the passage of a pawn that combinations are often carried out.

For example:


Who said rook endings can't be won?

1.L:s2!! L:s2(on 1…Rd8 –2.Rs6 and Ke4 winning)

2.d7 and you can't hold the pawn.


A typical technique for fighting rook against rook in similar positions is if Black is on 1.L:s2 play 1…La8, That 2. d7 Kf7 3. Rc8!

and White wins.

Another example:

How to play as white?

1.a5!!

Now Black has two possibilities to hold up the pawn, but... both run into “tactics”.

1. ...R:g4 2.a6 Rg1 3.a7 Ra1 4.Ra3!!

and White wins.

Second option:

1. a5 R:g4 2.a6 Rh4 3.Rd8!!

And after 3...K:d8 4.a7 you can't hold the pawn.

Frankly speaking, knowing endgame tactics is extremely important. Tactical opportunities in the endgame are more common than is commonly believed.

Finally:

How to learn tactical skills?

  • Find and remember The set of such positions should be constantly replenished. These are, in a sense, the end points of your tactical operations.
  • Remember typical techniques.
  • “Play” various tactical strikes and combinations in your mind. To develop spatial imagination.

And of course, practical play and analysis of the games played. Skill is formed only by practice.

Thank you for your interest in the article.

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Have a nice day!

The chess game is very simple at first glance. Is it difficult to remember how the pieces move and move them according to the rules? Yes, this is exactly how a beginner or amateur talks, who does not yet fully know all the secrets of chess. First you need to get acquainted with the basics of strategy. What rules cannot be broken when playing in the opening, middlegame and endgame. Know the basic principles and direction of a chess game. Let's take a closer look at all these elements.

Basic principles of chess strategy


Any player who wants to end the game with a victory must follow the following principles of chess strategy:
  • analyze and evaluate the position that appears on the board
  • outline a future plan
  • constantly calculate options and choose the best

Strategy, analysis, plan


Analysis and evaluation of the position. What is meant. First you need to identify Is it material equality? on the board? (Whoever doesn’t understand what we’re talking about should get acquainted with it, it describes what piece “costs” how much). The player must then evaluate the position of the kings(both your own and your opponent’s), and conclude whose king is better (that is, he is in the center, under attack, or has already castled). Next you need analyze the position of pawns- are there “isolators”, passed pawns, connected passed pawns. After that evaluate whose figures are worth better. Maybe the opponent has a knight on the edge of the board or a “bad” bishop, or as my coach called it, a “big pawn” - that is, a bishop that does not have a single square to move, or has only 1-2 squares, since his own pawns block his way. Based on all these conclusions, their totality, an assessment of the position is made, and a decision is made on further play, building a plan, or fixing a draw.

Plan in a chess game. In order to outline a plan, and not play thoughtlessly, as beginners do, you need to more or less already have a concept of chess. The book that I recommend everyone to read is Nimzowitsch's book - "". The book vividly describes all the basics of a chess game, without which you simply cannot become a good chess player. The book is very large, I think there are about 500 pages, so you will have to work hard to read it.

The most basic principles of strategy and plan construction can be systematized into the following series:

  1. Rooks must work along open lines.
  2. The rooks must rush to the 7th (or 2nd) rank and work along it.
  3. It is not advisable to move the same piece two or more times in the opening.
  4. You shouldn’t chase pawns, sometimes they are more important than any piece.
  5. You need to develop the pieces towards the center, and not to the edge of the board
  6. Hit the central pawn, no matter how bad you feel afterwards (within reason, of course)

What do you need to do to win?

The goal of a chess game is to checkmate your opponent.

Checkmate occurs when the king is attacked by another piece and he has no way to avoid the attack. This is where the game ends. However, mating requires preparation.

To win a game of chess, you must follow the following six rules:

1. Make the Right Moves in the Opening
The goal of your first moves is to establish control over the board. The most important part of the board is the center. If your pieces and pawns control the center, you will be able to dictate the direction of the game. In the position below, White's two pawns perfectly control the center of the board, while Black has no influence.

2. Don’t Give Pieces Just Like That

Trading pieces is common in chess, but you should only exchange pieces of equal value. Many players lose because they simply give away their pieces and pawns for nothing. In this case, you need to take all the pieces that your opponent gives you for free (just beware of the traps).

3. Bring Figures to Active Positions
Before you can get to the king, you need to get your pieces into attack positions. This means that when attacking you will need active pieces that have many possibilities.

Pawns control the squares. Horses like to stand in the center. Bishops like long diagonals. Rooks like to roll into the center or occupy open lines. Your queen must be ready to join the fight.

4. Coordinate an Attack on the King
Usually you can't checkmate with just one piece. This requires the joint work of several figures. Most often, you will need a piece that will check the king, and at least one piece that will protect your attacking piece so that the king cannot take it. Sometimes you even need to sacrifice a few pieces to break your opponent's defenses.


5. Keep Your King Safe

Sometimes players are so focused on their opponent's king that they simply forget about their own king. Remember that your opponent is also playing and will also attack your king. Be sure to keep an eye on the threats that your opponent creates when making his next move. One of the best ways to protect your king is to place it behind a row of several pawns that will protect it. In the position below, the white king is cozy and safe, and the black king can be easily attacked.


6. Always Be Polite

Regardless of whether you win or lose, always congratulate or thank your opponent for playing. Victories, like losses, are part of the game. Even the best players in the world lose often.

So be kind and grateful even when you play poorly, and after the game just think about how you could play better next time.

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