1

UWE BÖNSCH:

TACTICAL TRAINING

What are tactics in chess?

Tactics means knowing what to do when

there is something which needs doing.

Strategy means knowing what to do when

there is nothing which needs to be done.

(S. Tartakower)

Knowledge of tactical motifs is the

foundation of positional play. (R. Reti)

Chess is 99% tactics. (R. Teichmann)

In the game of chess tactics are the

coordinated application of combinatory

motifs based on available forces, space and

time and their goal is the achievement of

superiority or equality.

Combinatory motifs might be elements

such as discovered attacks, double attacks,

pins or checks; superiority or equality can

be brought about either directly

by checkmate, stalemate or perpetual

check or else indirectly by the gain of

material or by a positional draw.

Tactics are thus directed towards a

relatively short-term goal. In general we

speak of tactical positions whenever a

longish sequence of forced moves for both

sides can be calculated.

Tactical means allow the gradual

achievement of strategic goals .

Tactics in chess involve the employment of

compulsion. Tactical methods are forcing

methods. The compulsion is brought about

by moves which set up a threat or which

put the opponent in zugzwang.

A threat is produced by means of a move

which sets up the possibility of a second

advantageous move. If the attacking side

were allowed a second consecutive move it

could obtain an advantage as a result of

that next move. This second move which is

intended represents the actual threat.

For example, if an unprotected piece is

attacked, then the threat is the capture; if a

protected piece is taken, then the threat is

to secure with the next move the gain of

material which has been made.

Thus a threat always involves two moves.

The first move sets up the threat, the

second is the actual threat which is to be

executed and against which the opponent

must mount a defence.

Tactics is the exploitation of tactical

weaknesses in order to achieve a specific

goal or to produce further tactical

weaknesses. (Volkhard Igney)

In the long run, every game of chess is

decided by means of tactics!

Methods in tactical training

1. Independently solving the task in your

head without moving the pieces

2. Independently solving the task, moving

the pieces

3. Solving with the help of a trainer or

training partner

4. The playing out of tactical exercises,

tactical positions and studies by two

players who are

undergoing training (like match training)

5. The playing out of tactical exercises,

tactical positions and studies by the trainer

against one or more players who are

undergoing training (like match training)

Forms of tactical training

Just like other elements in a chess game,

there are various methods of tactical

training:

Group training (with cooperation

between group members, which produces

positive synergetic effects).

Individual training (the most effective

form of training).

Self training – individual self study

(the do-it-yourself way of increasing

knowledge and acquiring skills).

2

Ways to help with the acquisition

of tactical skills:

- solve on a normal chess board tactically

orientated positions which have been set,

- solve positions from a demonstration

board / video projector / overhead

projector without using a chess board,

- solve positions which have been printed

out on worksheets

- solve positions which have been set for

you under match-like conditions using the

chess clock, with variable thinking times,

- solve without a board tactical exercises

for which the position has been dictated by

the trainer (only suitable for advanced

students).

Where to find appropriate

material for tactical training?

- chess books,

- chess magazines,

- CDs / DVDs,

- Internet (collections of exercises and

programmed exercises),

- your own collection of materials.

Chess studies in training

A chess study is a problem position with a

solution which is far from obvious; there is

only a single possible solution and it is

usually solved in an aesthetically pleasing

manner.

Studies frequently resemble the endgame.

A chess study is an artificially constructed

endgame and, as opposed to a chess

problem, a chess study more greatly

resembles a position from a real game and

is particularly effective in endgame

training, the calculation of variations and

the development of creativity in chess.

Depending on the type of goal, studies can

lead to a win, a draw or stalemate. There is

usually only ever one way to solve a study.

Bernhard Horwitz (1807-85) and Josef

Kling (1811-76) are considered to be the

originators of the modern study.

What does working with studies bring to a

committed chess player?

- An enjoyment of the beauty and the

originality of chess.

- Greater experience of creativity in chess.

- Training in calculating skills.

- The joy of the challenge.

Typical motifs to be found in

studies

Bristol - one piece moves along a line as

far as the edge of the board in order to

clear the way for another piece. Both

pieces move in the same direction.

Grimshaw - blocking the intersection

point of a piece which moves horizontally

or vertically and a piece which moves

diagonally, without a sacrifice.

Nowotny - blocking the intersection point

of a piece which moves horizontally or

vertically and a piece which moves

diagonally, by means of a sacrifice.

Plachutta - blocking by means of

a sacrifice the intersection point of two

pieces which move in a straight line.

Switchback - the apparently senseless

moving back and forward of a piece on to

the same square.

3

EXERCISES

1) Averagely difficult – solving time 5 –

10 minutes XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+ktr-+0 9tR-+-+p+-0 9-+-+-+p+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9-mK-+-+-+0 9+-+L+-+-0 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy

White to move and win.

2) Difficult – solving time 10 – 15 minutes

XIIIIIIIIY 9-mkr+-+-+0 9zpP+-+-zp-0 9P+-+-+-zp0 9+-+-+K+-0 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-+-vL-+-0 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy

White to move and win.

3) Study by Joseph – solving time 15

minutes XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-mK-+-+0 9mkp+-+-+-0 9p+-+-+-+0 9+P+-+-+-0 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9-+-+-+-zP0 9+-+-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy

White to move and win.

4) Study by Popov – solving time 30

minutes XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9-+-+-+-+0 9+P+-+K+-0 9-+-+-+pzp0 9+-zP-+-mk-0 9-+P+-+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy

White to move and win.

5) Study by Sehwers – solving time 10

minutes XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+-+0 9+q+p+-+-0 9p+-mk-+-vL0 9+-+-+-+-0 9R+P+P+-zP0 9+-+K+-+-0 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy

White to move and win.

6) Extremely difficult – solving time 1

hour XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+k+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-+-+-zP-0 9p+-+-zPKzP0 9+p+-+-tR-0 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy

White to move and win.

4

SOLUTIONS

1) There is a clear win for White. To

achieve it, he must fist block the f7-pawn.

After that the black king will be mated on

the edge of the board.

1.Lf5!! gf5

1...f6 2.Lg6 Kd8 3.Kc5 f5 4.Lf7!+-.

2.Kc5 Kd8

2...Tg8 3.Ta8 Ke7 4.Tg8+-.

3.Kd6+-

Black is helpless despite his two extra

pawns 1:0.

2)

1.Lf4!

1.La7? simply leads to a draw: 1...Kc7

2.bc8D (2.Lb6 Kb8 3.Ld4 g6 4.Ke4=

(4.Kg6 Tc6 5.Kh5 Ta6 6.Lg7 Kb7

7.Lh6=)) 2...Kc8 3.Kg6 Kc7=.

1...Tc7 2.Kg6!

The decisive idea! The white king

approaches the d8-square via h7 and the

8th rank.

2...h5 3.Le5!

Or 3.Ld6. A draw is all that can be

achieved after the pawn ending: 3.Kh5 g6

4.Kg4 g5 5.Lc7 Kc7 6.Kg5 Kb8 7.Kf6 Kc7

8.Ke7 Kb8 9.Kd8 Stalemate!; 3.Kh7??

even loses on account of 4...g5.

3...h4 4.Kh7 g5 5.Kg8 g4 6.Kf8 g3 7.Ke8

g2 8.Kd8 g1D 9.Lc7# 1:0.

3)

1.b6!

1.h4? ab5; 1.ba6? ba6.

1...Kb8!

1...Kb6 2.h4+- and the white pawn goes

through to queen.

2.h4 a5 3.h5 a4 4.h6 a3 5.h7 a2 6.h8D

a1D 7.Dg8

7.Da1?? Stalemate!

7...Da2

The only way to parry the threat of Kd7 or

Ke7 with mate is by attacking the white

queen. 8.De8 Da4 9.De5

This check forces the black king on to the

a-file.

9...Ka8 10.Dh8

Now the defence with Da1 fails because of

the capture on a1 with check. There is no

longer any defence against the back rank

mate 1:0.

4) This is a complicated study which even

strong computer programs cannot solve

just like that.

1.b6 Kh3 2.b7 g3 3.b8L!

3.b8D? only leads, after 3...g2 4.Dg8 g1D

5.Dg1, to a draw.

3...g2 4.La7 Kg3

4...Kh2 5.Kg4 h3 6.c4 g1D 7.Lg1 Kg1

8.Kh3–+.

5.Kg5!

The h-pawn must be attacked from behind.

5.c4? h3 6.Lb8 Kf2 7.Lh2 g1D 8.Lg1

Kg1–+.

5...h3 6.Lb8 Kf3

6...Kf2 7.Kh4! g1D 8.La7 Kg2 9.Lg1 Kg1

10.Kh3+-.

7.Lh2 Ke4!

Is the most resilient defence. 7...Kf2 8.Kg4

g1D 9.Lg1 Kg1 10.Kh3+-.

8.Kg4 Kd5 9.Kf3!

But not 9.Kh3 Kc4 10.Kg2 Kc3 with a

draw.

9...Kc4 10.Ke2 Kc3 11.Kd1 Kd4 12.Lg1

Kc4

12...Kc3 13.Kc1+-; 12...Ke4 13.Ke2! (the

black king must not be allowed on to f3)

13...Kf4 14.Lh2+-.

13.Kd2 Kd5 14.Kd3 Ke5 15.Lh2 Kd5

16.c4 Kc5 17.Kc3 Kc6 18.Kd4 Kd7

19.Kd5 Kc8 20.c5 Kd7 21.c6 Kc8 22.Kd6

Kd8 23.c7 Kc8 24.Lg1 h2 25.Lh2 g1D

26.Lg1 Kb7 27.Kd7+- 1:0.

5)

1.Tb4! Dc8

1...Da7 2.Le3 Da8 3.Tb8 Db8 4.Lf4 also

loses the queen.

2.Tb8! Dc6 3.Tb6!

Now Black is forced to capture the

impertinent rook.

3...Db6 4.c5

That is the point! It does not matter how

Black takes the pawn, he will lose his

queen after a bishop check.

4...Dc5

5

4...Kc5 5.Le3+-.

5.Lf8 Kc6 6.Lc5 Kc5 7.h5

and the pawn goes through to queen 1:0.

6)

1.Te3! A move which is difficult to find. The

black king is tied down to the kingside.

1...b2 2.Te8 Kf7 3.Te1!!

Even the very top players have difficulties

in finding this move. The previous check

forced the opposing king into the range of

its own pawns and now the black pawns

are held up for two more moves. 3.Tb8? is

not enough for the win: 3...a3 4.h5 a2 5.g6

Ke7 6.Tb2 a1D 7.Tb5=.

3...a3 4.f5 a2 5.g6 Kf8

5...Kf6 6.Te6 Kg7 7.Kg5! b1D 8.f6 Kf8

9.g7 Kf7 10.Te7 Kg8 11.Te8 Kf7

12.g8D#; 5...Kg7 6.Kg5 b1D 7.f6 Kf8 8.g7

Kf7 9.Te7 Kg8 10.Te8 Kf7 11.g8D#.

6.f6 b1D 7.g7 Kf7 8.Te7 Kf6 9.g8S!!

Underpromotion to a knight is the point of

this exercise. The four white pieces have

woven a beautiful mating net around the

black king.

9...Kg6 10.h5#

Mating with a pawn is always particularly

nice 1:0.