Recent Tactics

Hello again chess enthusiasts. Today I will provide you with some tactics from some of my recent online games. Don't worry, these ones are not too difficult. Enjoy, and remember to not look at the solutions (below the last problem) until you think you have the position done.

#1: Difficulty: Medium


#2: Difficulty: Idea: Easy, Continuation: Medium


#3: Difficulty: Easy


**Solutions**:

#1: 1. ...Qxg3!! is crushing. 2. Nxd4 (taking the queen loses a piece to 2. ...Nxb3) Qxf2+ 3. Kh1 Qxd4 4. Rad1 Nc5! 5. Qc2 (taking the queen still loses a piece) Bf5! 6. Qxf5 (finally white cracks) Rxf5 and white resigned.

#2: 1. Re8+! wins a queen for a rook and bishop. This is all you really had to see, but the conclusion is instructive as well. 1. ...Rxe8 2. Qxd3 gxf6 3. Qf5! Bg6 4. Qxf6 Re6 5. Qg5 with the eternal threat of f5, and in some lines f5-f6 with mates, black played 4 more moves before resigning with 5. ...h6 6. Qxh6 Be4 7. Qh3 Rd8 8. f5! Red6 9. Qg4+ picking up the bishop.

#3: 1. Rxd6+! Pretty straightforward from here. 1. ...Kxd6 2. Bf4+ Kc5 3. Qe3+ Qd4 4. Rc1+ Kb6 5. Qxd4+ Ka5 and black resigned before 6. Bc7# showed up on the board.