ArcaMax

Our last Evans Gambit position. This one was won by Tarrasch back in 1889. White’s two key advantages are the long diagonal occupied by the bishop on b2 and the control of the d-file by the rook. There’s a mate coming!

Another Evans Gambit finish from Steinitz-Pilhal, Vienna, 1862.

An Evans Gambit finish from DeRiviere-Journoux, Paris, 1860. White’s queen is under attack and he is material down. What did he do?

From a game MacKenzie won back in 1868.

This old favorite by Otto Wurzburg is a mate in two. You certainly can’t complain about not having enough material!

It’s so hot around most of the U.S., that a little light and breezy fare might be in order. Just answer the question. Be very specific! Tell exactly what the move was and all the pieces involved.

Here’s a gem from Petrosian against Simagin. Tigran sees an eventual knight fork that wins the game and he can force it starting with the right first move followed by a major sacrifice!

One of my hopes for this column is that regular readers will remember the concepts of the positions and be able to apply them in their own games or at least be able to run off the answer in a minute. We’ll spend some time on some from years past and let me know how you do.

Copying your opponent’s moves can be dangerous if you try too long. Black tries to stay symmetrical, but runs into a problem with White’s next series of moves.

This endgame, by A.W. Daniel, requires some planning. Be careful that you consider every black response.Big Hint: you will have to sacrifice a piece in one variation!

White’s on the move, and he has lots to think about considering all the attention his king is getting from Black’s major pieces.

Here’s a typical isolated queen pawn middle game position. What would you play here?

A nice little Tal finish once more. He has both his rooks hanging, but it doesn’t faze him.

Mikhail Tal, who arguably was the greatest chess player ever, made it all look easy at times. Here’s a finish against Benko in 1964. OK, be the former world champion!

That White pawn on g7 seems to have wandered too far into the enemy camp. What can White do to help the little guy out?

This is a little longer than usual, but the logic of White’s attack is very attractive. From Neishtadt-Gipslis, Riga, 1955.

If you have been with us a while, this should be a piece of cake. If you don’t get this, then best study its lessons. It occurs not infrequently.

A nice finish by Chigorin in 1874.

Continuing our tactical alertness in the opening series with a game from a young Karpov as Black. He spots a way to win a piece.

Continuing our tactical alertness in the opening series.