Of course you need to set up properly with the opening through established theory, otherwise you wouldn't be around too long to try out a tactical line against your opponents. Here are some moderate to difficult puzzles I collected along the way that leads to forced wins. Practicing tactical puzzles is a great way to sharpen your mind before a tourney, apart from playing real opponents. See if you can figure these out: *For some reason I can't align the puzzle title with the diagram so I wrote the word "below" to guide you. I can't remember the sources, except the Nigel Short game.

 

Puzzle 1: (mate in 5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Puzzle 2: (mate in 5 below)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Puzzle 3: (McShane-Short, Gibraltar) (Mate in 5 below)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Puzzle 4 (forced mate in 7 below)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Puzzle 5: (Mate in 10 below)