"On the chessboard lies and hypocrisy do not survive long. The creative combination lays bare the presumptions of a lie; the merciless fact, culminating in a checkmate, contradicts the hypocrite." -Emanuel Lasker
Andrew Tang, Photo FM Mike Klein
Tactic #1
IM Andrew Tang vs. Tianqi Wang, Denker Round 2
With the kings castled to opposite sides, the entire game has been a race to attack first. White has many appealing options to pursue Black's king. How did IM Tang win the game immediately?
#2: GM Aleksandr Lenderman vs. GM Mackenzie Molner, Round 8
Black to move
GM Molner has very active pieces: His bishop occupies an outpost on d4. His knight add pressure to the f2 and h2 points on White's kingside. His rooks are both on half open files. GM Lenderman just attacked his queen (22. Bg5). How should Black continue?
2015 U.S. Open Champion Alex Shabalov, Photo FM Mike Klein
#3 GM Alexander Shabalov vs. Anupama Rajendra, Round 2
White to move.
Black just made a bold attempt to take over the center (12...e5). How did the eventual U.S. Open Champion take advantage and win a pawn?
Anupama Rajendra by Jeff Smith for US Chess
#4 -Kenneth Flood vs. FM Konstantin Kavutskiy, Round 2
Black to move
Black has the bishop pair, and each bishop is well-placed, performing both attacking and defensive roles. On the other hand, all of White's pieces are loose and uncoordinated. How did Black take advantage?
See Vanessa's first set of tactical puzzles from the U.S. Open here.