Another Important Chess Test
As I did in the first Test Your Understanding article, I implore you to read the notes to the puzzles: The prose and variations are what makes this new series worthwhile, so PLEASE try and solve the puzzle and then go back (whether you got it right or not), click on the little question mark on the bottom border of the board, read the instructional prose, and enjoy the variations.
This is the first of a long series of articles dedicated to Chess.com members who want to get a glimpse of their strengths and weaknesses. I’ve been inundated by members who want me to say something about their games/weaknesses, so instead of looking at whole games, I’ll point out a key moment in a game or two and then move on to another person.
The material I offer should prove instructive for players from 1000 to Class A (1800s-1900s). It’s designed to give members a glimpse of typical weaknesses that you and just about everyone else fall victim to.
PUZZLE ONE
The Chess.com memberIRosed asked me to create a complete study plan for him. Sadly, all members would also like me to do the same for them, which is quite impossible unless I devote myself, body and soul, to the huge masses of Chess.com members (eventually leaving me dead in a gutter from starvation).
Nevertheless, after looking at some of his games I can say that he’s just starting out. This means that he’s hanging pieces and placing his pieces on poor squares. Time (experience) and practice will fix these problems.
PUZZLE TWO
Let’s look at one more game by IRosed. It started in a rocky manner:
It turned out that Black’s 6...Qb6 was an error. Can you see why?
PUZZLE THREE
Here’s an interesting position from a training game played by the Chess.com member PatternRecognition (he was White). Here’s the beginning:
What is White’s best reply to Black’s 5...Bg4?
PUZZLE FOUR
The actual game continued: 6.h3 (Missing his 6.e5 opportunity) 6...Bxf3 7.Qxf3 and now how should Black play this position?
PUZZLE FIVE
In the real game Black found himself in a hopeless position after he played his 10th move:
What did White do?
