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Find the Wrong Move: Sharpen Your Tactical Radar!

Find the Wrong Move: Sharpen Your Tactical Radar!

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FM Gertsog
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Dear Chess Friends!

I’m excited to share highlights from my recent workshop "Find a Wrong Move", where we explored how to spot tactical traps hidden behind seemingly natural moves. Whether you’re a club player or a seasoned competitor, this skill separates winners from runners-up!

Watch the full workshop here, and let’s dive into 6 game fragments that reveal how even masters blunder.

Why "Find the Wrong Move" Matters

Finding winning tactics is crucial, but spotting flawed moves is equally vital. This training:

  • Sharpens calculation depth by forcing you to reject "obvious" moves.
  • Reveals typical error patterns: development traps, premature exchanges, and defensive oversights.
  • Builds preventive thinking—anticipating opponents’ tricks.

Common Mistake Types:

  • "Developing" moves that lose material (e.g., Reich-Pavlovic).
  • Exchanges that trigger counterplay (e.g., Kholmov-Shcherbakov).
  • "Logical" defenses that collapse tactically (e.g., Andersson-Velimirovic).

6 Game Fragments: Find the Blunder!

1. Reich vs. Pavlovic (1993)

  • 7...Nh6?
  • Tempting (develops knight, attacks d4), but 8.Qc1! wins material due to double attack on c8-bishop and h6-knight.
  • Lesson: Check for hanging pieces before developing!

2. Kholmov vs. Shcherbakov (1997)

  • 11.Nxd7?
  • Overlooks 11...Bxg2!, exploiting the pinned rook on h1 and king exposure.
  • Lesson: When capturing, ask: "Can my opponent interpose tactics?"

3. Karim vs. Engstrom (2017)

  • 11...Ne5?
  • Natural Sicilian move, but 12.Be2! traps the queen (12...f6 13.Bh5+).
  • Lesson: Always check for queen traps in open positions!

4. Andersson vs. Velimirovic (1997)

  • 11...Bf5?
  • Seems active, but 12.g4! traps the bishop (12...Bg6 13.g5).
  • Lesson: Pawn pushes can imprison pieces!

5. Spraggett vs. Smyslov (1985)

  • 14.Be3?
  • Defends the knight but ignores 14...Bxh3!, destroying the king’s cover.
  • Lesson: When defending, ask: "Does this create new weaknesses?"

6. Gurevich vs. San Segundo (1998)

  • 13...Rc8?
  • "Logical" rook lift, but 14.Nxc6! bxc6 15.Ba6 wins the exchange.
  • Lesson: Rook moves on semi-open files can overlook tactical shots!

Key Training Tips

  • Calculate checks, captures, and threats for both sides before moving.
  • Question "obvious" moves: Development, exchanges, and defensive moves often hide traps.
  • Study classic blunders: Even world champions like Karpov missed double attacks!
  • Practice with puzzles: Use Lichess/Chess.com drills titled "Find the Mistake."

If you would like to participate in our next event in live, you can register here: https://chesslance.com/masterclass/

Register now!

Your participation is absolutely free.

Tactical vision isn’t just about finding wins—it’s about avoiding losses.

Best Regards,
FM Viktor Neustroev

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FM Gertsog
Viktor Neustroev
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Hi!
My name is Victor Neustroev. I'm a FIDE Master with Elo rating 2305.


Experienced chess coach specializing in tactics and openings. An author of educational chess courses on different learning platforms.

The coach of the champion of Siberia among girls under 9!

Affordable rates! A test lesson is also possible!

I'm 34. I live in Russia, Novosibirsk. I learned to play chess when I was 5. I regularly won prizes at Novosibirsk region Championship and Siberia Chess Championship among juniors. I'm a champion of Novosibirsk City Chess Club at 2002 and a champion of Novosibirsk at 2019.


I got Master's Degree in Economics at Novosibirsk State University and also played for its chess team.


Today I am focusing on teaching chess online and offline. The reason why I do this is because I feel happy when see how my students achieve success.

 

I teach juniors since 2002. Almost all of my students were ranked. Some of them got prizes at Novosibirsk region Championship.
I also work with adults.

 

I will teach you how to find tactical strikes in certain position types and how to classify them. I can help you to improve you calculational ability. I also teach you chess openings and I believe you know how important they are. According to the statistics right-playing of the opening makes from 30 to 60% of your success (the exact number depends on your level).
Please, check my youtube videos to know how I teach and what you will achieve working with me.