Tactics Explained (Long Diagonal)

We will explain illustrate the attack along a diagonal as our main tactical motif today.



Let's take a look at the following position, White to move:

Svesnikov-Scherbakov 1991, White to play and win

Hint: White has a battery composed of Bc3 and Qe5. However 1 Ne6 is countered by 1..f6, blocking the long diagonal a1-h8. Is there a direct way to conclude the attack.

Solution is given below.

Solution

1 Qg7+!! Kg7 2 Nf5++ ( double check) Kg8 3 Nh6#.