Chess Tactics Training – How?
“Your first name is tactics, your middlename is tactics, and your last name is tactics!”
- FM Ken Smith
There’s no doubt about it – if you’re a class level player, you’re better off studying different tactical motifs and combinations rather than reading through reams of opening and endgame theory.
Now I’m not saying that these facets of chess are not important…they are! It’s just that in club level chess - he who sees tactics and combinations better has the upper hand. The question is – how do you train your tactical eye?
I think there are 3 effective methods for training tactics –
Method 1
First on our list is the conventional way of training tactics – going through tactical exercises repetitively and constantly. But there is another question that branches out of this – what type of tactical exercises should one study?
Are we looking at simple 3-4 movers? Or should one focus on complex tactical exercises that span 10 or even a dozen moves?
Unfortunately, there’s no unified answer. Some like NM Dan Heisman stresses the importance of focusing on basic and simple tactical patterns, which are the building blocks of more complex tactics.
On the other hand, there are some like Michael De La Maza, the originator of ‘7 Circles Of Tactics’…a method for studying tactics, thinks that covering and studying both simple and complex tactical exercises.
Method 2
If you don’t know how to incorporate your newly acquired tactical knowledge and skill into your chess games, then it’s useless. The next method is more of like an extension of the first one…allowing you to exercise and use your tactical vision in real over-the-board games.
Play moves and openings that create tactical opportunities!
Matter of fact, it’s advocated that amateurs and club-level players play gambits. This definitely helps in creating tactical situations on the board where one should be alert all the time. Of course, you should analyze your games afterwards to get the most out of it.
Method 3
Last but not the least; one needs to study games of great attacking and tactical masters like Tal, Kasparov, Alekhine, etc. Personally, I love looking at games of old masters like Anderssen, Morphy, Steinitz, Spielmann, and others.
True, the defensive technique back then may not be as good as it is today, and these games may be riddled with errors. However, what I like about studying these games of old masters is that the strategy and tactics they employ are clearly seen.
How should one go about studying these tactical gems?
In my opinion, just playing through the games and reading the annotations isn’t enough. Instead, I gather the raw game scores, cover and predict the moves…think how I would think in a real game, and write down my analysis.
Only after going through the game with the steps outlined above will I consult the master’s annotations and notes.
BAD NEWS! My Chess Books Are Missing!
Now unlike many of you, I don’t have myriads of chess books in my library. I don’t have compendiums of opening manuals that cover every variation of the Sicilian Defense, Ruy Lopez, or French Defense. Matter of fact, I don’t have any opening book or manual!
HOWEVER, I can proudly say that the chess books I’ve chosen are of great quality and they provide hours of priceless chess instruction to the serious and improving player.
Re-Assess Your Chess Workbook – Written by world-famous International Master Jeremy Silman, this book will teach you Silman’s well-known imbalance-based way of thinking in chess.
After all, it’s a thinking game. Knowing how to make decisions and think right will make you a far stronger player than reading reams of opening theory.
How To Be A Deadly Chess Tactician – This one is written by a non-master but very strong tournament player David LeMoir. This one has helped me view a chess game and spot tactics and combinations like I haven’t before.
Attack With Tal – Tal has a special place in every chess player’s heart – master or amateur. This guy showed how to play daring, exciting, and speculative chess with his ‘unsound’ sacrifices which dismantled even the almighty Botvinnik! This is your chance to learn how to play and attack like Tal.
I can still remember reading through the games and the corresponding analysis and annotations without a board. It really strengthened my tactical vision and calculation skills.
How Good Is Your Chess & Test Your Chess – In my opinion, these 2 books focusing on move-prediction written by Grandmaster Daniel King go hand-in-hand with Silman’s workbook. These books will challenge you to predict the moves made by the likes of Kramnik, Kasparov, Korchnoi, Svidler, and others masters.
I went through the challenges of this book after getting used to Silman’s way of thinking. It helped me get about 80% of the moves and an overall increase in my playing strength!
These 5 books are all that I have in my VERY small chess library…and they’re all lost now unfortunately. How will I train and improve in chess now that my chess books are gone without a trace? That’s the BIGGEST question.
All About Chess Openings – A Weapon Against The Sicilian
So you’re an 1.e4 player? If so, then your success in 1.e4 largely depends on how well you fight off the Sicilian Defense. After all, this counter-attacking reply to 1.e4 has found its way not only in Grandmaster circles but in club-players and amateur players as well.
Expect these Sicilian players to come prepared…and so should you!
But what if you don’t have the time to look at reams and reams of Sicilian theory? Think about it – not everybody has the time to invest into chess opening research like Garry Kasparov. Does it mean you have to give up 1.e4 and switch to a quieter and more peaceful approach?
Heck no! Let me show you a weapon that you could use against the Sicilian where you have to sacrifice a pawn not just for tactical chances that fade quickly against a stubborn defender but for positional plusses as well.
The Sicilian Wing Gambit – 1.e4 c5 2.b4!?
Now I’m not going to give you an exhaustive lesson about this opening. But let me show you some ideas that should help you play it.
1.e4 c5
The Sicilian Defense is all about imbalances. White took the e4 and d5 square, Black on the other hand didn’t follow suit with 1…e5 but went with 1…c5 to control the d4-square – preventing White from establishing a e4-d4 pawn duo.
The next move, however, forces Black to relinquish his control over the d4-square.
2. b4!?
This introduces the Wing Gambit against the Sicilan. Black has many replies against this move. However, none of them has no disadvantages. Accepting the pawn allows may possibilities for White. Let’s focus on Black accepting the gambit pawn.
2…cxb4 3. a3
White ditches another pawn to support the d4-pawn advance with c2-c3. Additionally, it opens lines on the queenside as well as possibilities of Na3-c4 as well as Bc1-a3.
3…d5
In reply, Black eliminates the only center pawn that White has for the moment while freeing the c8-Bishop open to jump to g4 – pinning the Nf3 when the opportunity arises.
4.exd5 Qxd5 5.Nf3
Black was threatening a double attack with his fourth move – 3…Qe5+ snatching that rook on a1. White could also play d2-d4 on his 5th move. But we have other plans.
5…e5
Black doesn’t want to spend another tempo capturing the a3-pawn. Instead, he opens up the a3-f8 diagonal…prepping to capture back with the Bishop in case of axb4.
6.Bb2!? Nc6
Another interesting move! This aims for quick development and piles up pressure on the e5 pawn which is supported only by the Queen as of the moment. On the other hand, Black supports the e5 pawn with the most natural move. He can go for …f6 but this weakens the Kingside. On the other hand, there is …Bg4 which perhaps we’ll take a closer look at in the upcoming articles.
7.c4!?
This move forces Black to block either of his Bishops. He’s forced to go to e6 or d6 to provide enough support for the e5 pawn. Any move along the fifth rank will result to loss of time as well as material. On the other hand, there are many games that resulted to winning White attack after …Qe4+.
7…Qe6 8.Bd3 Bc5
Developing the Kingside and getting ready to castle his King to safety.
8.O-O axb3 9.Nxb3
Seeing that he’s just a move away from castling his King to safety, Black decides to take the pawn. White, on the other hand captures with the Knight…making it possible for it to jump to b5 and c7.
9…Bxa3 10.Rxa3
Black, not wanting to face any threats of Nb5, Black takes away the Knight. In reply to that, White captures with the Rook. Now, he can shift the Rook anywhere along the third rank…and for those who love to attack, I’m sure you know that a Rook along the third rank can spell doom for your opponent when used the right way.
What do you think of the ending position?
Here’s what I think…
Material – Looking at the material of both sides, Black is a pawn up. However, chess is not just about material…let’s see what compensation White got in return.
Development – White undoubtedly is ahead in Development. His rook on the 3rd rank, castled king, bishops on nice diagonals…Black should do his best to catch up. He still needs 3 moves to connect his rooks.
Initiative – Again, I think White has the advantage in this department. White can easily pressure the e5 pawn with Re1. And Black has to make weakening moves like f6 to defend it adequately. Moves like Nge7-g6 won’t do since it falls to 1.Bxg6 hxg6 2.Nxe5 getting back his investment with interest.
Additionally, White can shift his Bd3 back to c2 or b1 to prepare for d4. This forces Black to move his queen away from the e-file.
