The Seeds of Tactical Destruction

Spotting and Avoiding Tactics

...Tactics Don’t Just Happen!

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Much more in the June 2001 Novice Nook: The Seeds of Tactical Destruction


You should be careful about creating/having the following – 

and if your opponent has them, Look for a Tactic!:

·Loose (unguarded) Pieces – “Loose Pieces Drop Off” = LPDO

·Pieces that can easily be attacked by enemy pieces of less value

·One or More Pieces than Can be Attacked via a "Discovered" Attack"

·Weak Back Rank

·Pinned or “skewerable” Pieces along the same rank, file, or diagonal

·Overworked Pieces (Pieces guarding more than one piece or square)

·Inadequately Guarded Pieces

·Falling Way Behind in Development (overwhelming opponent forces)

·Opponent’s pawns nearing promotion

·King uncastled or lost pawn protection with Queens on the board

·Open enemy lines for Rooks, Queens, and Bishops to your King

·Pieces that have little mobility and might easily be trapped if attacked

Don’t be Destroyed!


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