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Secrets of Top Level

Chess

Matthew Sadler

Question 1.

White to play.

Is 8.Nxc6 a good move?

(Choose all that apply).

a) Yes, it doubles Blacks pawns.

b) No, it helps Black bring a pawn

closer to the center by recapturing

with the b-pawn.

c) No, after 8...dxc6 Black's light-

squared bishop is ready to be

developed.

Question 2.

Due to the symmetrical structure

Black is close to equality, however

not quite there yet.

What problems does he have to

solve?

(Choose all that apply).

a) His king is not really safe.

b) His pieces are somewhat

uncoordinated. They take away each

otherssquares and paths.

c) His queenside pawns are

vulnerable to attack by Bf4 and c3

followed by Qb3.

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Question 3.

Black to play.

After 19.g5 is Black losing a piece?

Question 4.

Black had to save his bishop, so he

played g6. Thinking long-term, what

opportunities does this give to

White?

(Choose all that apply).

a) White might be able to open the

h-file with h4-h5.

b) Black might get some issues with

the now weakened dark squares in

his Kingside position.

c) The pawn move has no long-term

consequences for Black whatsoever.

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Question 5.

White to play.

How can White further improve his

position and bring his light piecescloser to the Black King?

Question 6.

Black to play.

What tactical shot has Black got

here?

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Question 7.

Which piece is White's major asset in

this position?

a) Nc3

b) Bd2

c) Bg2

Question 8.

Black to play.

Any tactics here?

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Question 9.

White to play.

How can White release the pressure

from the somewhat loose d2-bishopand c3-knight whilst challenging

Black's queen?

Question 10.

White to play.

After 20.Qd7, Black defended the

Bishop with Rb8.

White had another threat though.

Can you find it?

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Secrets of

Top-Level

Chess

The Solutions.

1 b and c are both correct.

2 Again, b and c are correct. Blacks pieces get in each others way and White will

soon pressure the Queenside pawns.

3 No, Black can play 19...Ng6, counter-attacking the f4 Bishop and clearing an exit

for the f6 Bishop.

4 a and b are correct.

5 25. Bf6! clears the e5 square for the Knight without exchanging off the Bishop off.

6 27...Nxg5! 28.Bxg5 f6 helps free Blacks position.

7 c. White's long range light-squared bishop is a huge asset! Not only does it have

no adversary, it also creates great pressure on c6 and b7 while also controlling the

important central squares e4 and d5.

8 1...Nxh2! wins a pawn and the exchange as 2.Kxh2?? Ng4+ 3.Kg1 Qh5 and the

mate cannot be stopped.

9 22.Nb1! A beautiful resource with the point that Black cannot take on a2 due to

23.h3, embarrassing the g4-Knight!

10 21.g3! wins material as Qxf3? 22.Rxh6+! Kg8 3.Bh7+ Kh8 4.Bg6+ Kg8 5.Qe6+ Rf7 6.

Qxf7#