Miniature Caro Kann Tactics

For the purposes of teaching chess to a group of young students, a short game is very useful. The particular game shown here appears to display opening theory since it doesn't go beyond the opening stage of the game. It is to be noted that the themes of check, double attack, promotion, move order, and connections  come into play. Students need to be shown enough as a lesson (or series of lessons) proceeds to be encouraged to use their imagination. This occurs when prior knowledge, prompted by good questioning, results in the development of problem solving skills. Instructors should not be surprised to find students solving problems during a lesson and not always transferring the skill to their own games in which there is nobody to help them ask themselves the right questions. A student has to first remember to observe the move played by the opponent. Then the student has to analyze with a critical, questioning view of the whole board. Beginners tend to look at or even grab one piece seeing only how that piece moves.

The game below has involved a controversy at move ten which will be discussed and resolved.