Positional Games

Middlegame means also positional play sometimes. As mostly tactics are covered in the blog,
here are 6 positions where a positional domination is carried out at GM level.

I White to play (Positional)

Adams-David, 2008, White's 29th move















II White to play

Morozevich-Timofeev, 2008. 24th move.















III White to play

Gelfand-Kamsky 2006, 27th White move.















IV White to play

Bareev-Bacrot, 2000. White's 19th move















V: Black to play
Smyslov-Tal 1964. Black's 24th move.
















All games can be replayed from the above positions via the next link
http://games.top10chess.com/positionalgames.htm

Find the best move

Another tactical quiz, another Tal position. Here, Tal played 1 e4 against Ian Rogers in 1991 and ended up in this position, with White to play. Can you spot the forcing line leading to white's victory. In particular, find the first two moves of the combination. Level: Easy.

White to play and win ( Tal,M-Rogers,I 1991)

Another Tal Brilliancy

Ex-World Champion and attacking genius Mikhail Tal had a terrific year in 1976, in particular at the Biel Interzonal. Can you find the right sequence of moves, to finish off your opponent in the following position ?

White to play and win !

December 07 : Chess Tactics #2

White to play and win

In this position, the former world champion Mikhail Tal uncorked a magnificent combination.
White has to act fast otherwise Black will complete his development with Bd7-Bc6.

Solution ( Main Line ) :

1 Bh7 + Kh7 2 Rh3+ Kg8 3 Nf5 Qg5 4 Qh5!! Qh5 5 Ne7+ Kh8 5 Rh5#

Replay solution here with board + annotations:

http://geocities.com/thechesscorner/talnn1.htm