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The Decisive Tactics- Candidate Moves

The Decisive Tactics- Candidate Moves

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CM thechesscorner64
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The young generation is extremely good at calculating. 

Puzzle Rush, Candidate Moves, Calculations is something they do very very well.

Here's an example with Firouzja

Let's see a more difficult example in one of my games against a super strong unknown player. White to play !

In the game I took on f8 and thought I would convert. Alas, I lost as Black had initiative.

Can you spot the move I didn't consider ? CANDIDATE MOVES !!!

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And here the position after what I should have played

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yes Nf5! was very strong and thematic.

Now lets look at a few variations !

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Here's another position and game I ended up losing. Can you consider all tactical possibilities and finish up the game ?

Given as a quiz, you can play your moves on the board or click ? for the answer

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and here's another real life example. I had the White pieces. Can you conclude the game ?

Very important to scan all possible moves, and go through variations with candidate moves. With tactical positions, forcing moves ( checks, captures and threats) should be given the priority.

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This happens to IMs and GMs. An unknown IM was battling super talent Brandon Jacobson, who climbed the rating ladder and sits on the 7th spot in the world online blitz rankings.

The IM with White had GM Jacobson on the ropes, but like I did, failed to convert.

First the opening, a sicilian dragon super sharp stuff, not as boring as Sinquefield Cup with mostly draws. Watching top playing blitz on chess.com is more entertaining so far !

It's kind of insane but Black had to play 13..a5! with a crazy line, more or less forced.

But in the game Black chose 13..e5 and got into big trouble.
In the following position, White could probably force a win almost on the spot. once again, its about the candidate moves.
WHITE TO PLAY
Later on, there was a golden chance for White, which I will give as a puzzle as follows:
and towards the time scramble at the end, White missed yet another opportunity
But the GM with the Black pieces managed to survive and win the game. Here's the latter part of the game, very instructive technique !
so it pays to train tactics and prioritize forced moves ( checks, captures and threats )
second, it pays to look at all possibilities, do not discard valid candidate moves !