A Bad Game, but Some Amazing Tactics

NM CoachJKane

Jun 13, 2015, 4:25 PM | 7

Hi Chess Friends,

I tried out a new opening in a 15 minute game today, misplayed it and ended up in a bad position. I ended up turning the whole game around thanks to a one move time trouble blunder by my opponent. That said, the game provided a couple of incredible tactical moments. Let's see if you can find them.

What's the best move for black in the position below?

That would have been a great one to find, but very difficult in time pressure. Here's the tactic that won the game. It's much easier.

Here's the full game, warts and all:

Finally, A difficult puzzle that could have come up after 34...Bxa2+ 35.Ka1 Bd4. White has an advantage in the following position, but only one move keeps it. What would you play for white?

I hope you enjoyed the game and puzzles. How did you do?

NM Jeremy Kane

Jeremy Kane is a National Master and three-time Wisconsin state champion. He is the Curriculum Director for chess.com. He has been teaching chess in person and online for over 15 years and has designed hundreds of lessons, available on chess.com/lessons. He is the author of Starting Out The Trompowsky on Chessable and The Next To Last Mistake, a book on defensive ideas in chess.

He is the developer of the Caro-Kane Variation of the Caro-Kann Defense.

email: jeremy@chess.com

Twitter/X: @chessmensch

A Bad Game, but Some Amazing Tactics

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