Test Yourself: Sinquefield Cup Tactics
By Vanessa West   
August 23, 2015
After a thrilling round 1 of the 2015 Sinquefield Cup, we look forward to the next eight rounds of this young, but storied competition. Let's take a look at tactical highlights from previous years.

Suggestion: Set up each position on a real board and test your tactical ability. Then, click on the solution and compare your guess to the Grandmaster's moves. Let us know how many you answered correctly in the comment section!

Tactic #1
Hikaru Nakamura vs. Levon Aronian (2013)
Tactic 1 - Nakamura vs. Aronian (2013) (1).jpg
White to move.


How did U.S. Number 1, Nakamura, gain a significant advantage?

Show Solution


 

Tactic #2

Fabiano Caruana vs. Veselin Topalov (2014)
Tactic 2 - Caruana vs. Topalov (2014) (1).jpg
White to move.

Last year, Fabiano Caruana achieved the unparalleled feat of seven consecutive victories against several of the top players in the world. This was the very first game of his streak.

How did Caruana take advantage of the weaknesses on Black's kingside and begin his attack?

Show Solution




Tactic #3
Fabiano Caruana vs. Maxime Vachier Lagrave (2014)
Tactic 3 - Caruana vs. Vachier Lagrave (2014) (1).jpg
White to move.

Black's position seems active, but his pieces are disorganized and his king is uncastled. How did Caruana secure his second victory in a row?

Show Solution




Tactic #4
Magnus Carlsen vs. Fabiano Caruana (2014)
Tactic 4 - Carlsen vs. Caruana (2014) (1).jpg
Black to move.

How did Caruana reach victory despite Carlsen's menacing passed e-pawn?

Show Solution



Follow Sinquefield Cup action live daily at 1:50 EST/12:50 CST on the Grand Chess Tour website.