| Tactics From the U.S. Open |
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| By Vanessa West | |
| August 8, 2015 | |
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As the US Open
approaches its finale, brilliant tactician and four-time US Champ Alexander Shabalov leads in clear first with a perfect 7/7, including wins over two higher ranked GMs, Alejandro Ramirez and Bartlomiej Macieja. As the penultimate round looms tonight, Digital Assistant Vanessa West demonstrates some key tactics from her and other games. Follow the penultimate round at monroi.com and look for FM Mike Klein's report prior to final round drama on Sunday, August 9. Bobby Fischer said, "Tactics flow from the positionally superior game." How skilled are you at turning positional advantages into tactical combinations? Tactic #1 GM Alexander Shabalov vs. GM Bartlomiej Macieja, Round 6
After an intense tactical onslaught in the opening, material still hangs in the balance. Both sides have numerous undefended pieces. How can White take advantage? Tactic #2 Vanessa West vs. Michael Baker, Round 2  White to move My opponent made an error earlier in the game that allowed me to open up his kingside. Additionally, I have a powerfully placed queen, and my knights ready to occupy central posts at a moment's notice. How did I continue here? Tactic #3 GM Alejandro Ramirez vs. Thomas Riccardi, Round 5  White to move Black's last move was Bxb5, intending to trade a bishop for a knight. All of GM Ramirez's pieces are well-placed: His bishops have nice diagonals. His rooks are on open files. His knight has a strong central post. How did he use these advantages? Tactic #4 IM Mark Ginsburg vs. Vanessa West, Round 7  White to move White's has a clear edge: the two bishops along with weaknesses all over Black's position. How did White swiftly finish the game? Tactic #5 Vanessa West vs. Anthony Booth, Round 4  White to move My pieces are incredibly active: My knights are centralized. I have a rook on the 7th rank. My bishop on b2 virtually cuts through the entire position and makes my opponent's king constantly uncomfortable. All of Black's pieces are placed a precariously, but, at the same time, all of them seem guarded. How did I proceed? To follow the standings of all events, go here. To follow the games live via Monroi, click here. |
