Step by Step: Tactics

Mark Donlan

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Step by Step: Tactics

Step by Step: Tactics is designed to improve your basic tactical skills. For best results, play the position out over-the-board and think for as long as you need without moving the pieces. You can also print out this page and use it as a workbook exercise in a classroom setting.

After the moves 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nf3 e6 5.Be2 Nd7 6.0–0 Ne7 7.Be3 Bg6 8.Nbd2 Nf5 9.Bg5 Qb6 10.Nb3 h6 11.Bd2 Be7, how did White win?

[FEN "r3k2r/pp1nbpp1/1qp1p1bp/3pPn2/3P4/
1N3N2/PPPBBPPP/R2Q1RK1 w kq - 0 12"]

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Circle the type of tactics that were involved in this puzzle:

Source Game: Semasev, K (2307) – Davidov, Mi (2169)
World Seniors Rowy POL (6), 17.09.2000

Answer: 12.Ba5 traps the black queen.

© 2012 Mark Donlan. All Rights Reserved.

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