Blindfold Opening Visualization 100 Chess Puzzles - Martin B. Justesen
Blindfold Opening Visualization 100 Chess Puzzles - Martin B. Justesen
Blindfold Opening Visualization 100 Chess Puzzles - Martin B. Justesen
This is the foundation from which I have selected puzzles for this book. I
have also added puzzles where you have to avoid a tactic or a trap, so you can’t
always be sure that there is a tactic!
It is my hope that this book will help you to improve your ability to calculate
and visualize the board blindfolded. The book is split into three sections: a
warm-up chapter, the main chapter, and a chapter for the hardest puzzles.
If you like this book remember to check out my other books in the Amazon
store:
Chess Fundamentals - 100th Anniversary Edition, Blindfold Endgame
Visualization, 100 Headachingly Hard Mate in Two Chess Puzzles.
/Martin B. Justesen
About the Author
www.getrevue.co/profile/saychess1
Acknowledgment
A big thank you goes to all of those who have tested the puzzles before the
publication! I’m also very appreciative of all members of the #chesspunks and
the online chess community on Twitter, who have helped spread the word about
my book.
How to solve the puzzles
Here is the first puzzle of the book:
1.
Rapport-Jobava System
White to move
First is stated the opening name given by one of the major chess sites (some
chess opening experts might disagree with some of the names). Next is a line of
moves. Visualize the end position. If you struggle at this try sitting with an
empty board in front of you.
At the end position, you will have to find the best move. Write it down on
paper before you check the solution. Note that some positions are not a tactic!
The puzzles in this book will get gradually harder, and at some point it might
get too hard for you. Don’t give up and throw the book away yet. I will suggest
that you set up a board and play 2, 4, or 6 moves into the puzzles and try to
solve them. In this way you will still practice visualizing the position and you
can adjust the difficulty of the puzzles.
Chapter 1: Warm-up!
1.
Rapport-Jobava System
White to move
1.
1. d4 d5 2. ♗f4 ♘f6 3. ♘c3 ♘c6 4. e3 (4. ♘b5 is the mainline.) 4... ♗f5
5. a3 e6 6. ♘f3 ♗d6 7. ♘e5 ♘xe5?? Castling is the best move.
Solution: 8. dxe5! With the double attack on the Knight and Bishop!
2.
White to move
2.
Black to move
3.
1. e4 e5 2. ♘f3 ♘c6 3. ♗b5 ♘d4 4. ♘xd4 exd4 5. ♕g4?! (5. O-O is the
mainline.) 5... c6 6. ♗c4?? Whoops! (6. ♗d3 and everything is safe.)
Solution: 6... d5! Now the Queen and Bishop are attacked.
4.
White to move
4.
Solution: 7. ♘f6+! And thank you for the Queen. 7... gxf6 8. ♕xd5
5.
White to move
5.
White to move
6.
1. e4 d5 2. exd5 ♘f6 3. ♗c4 ♘xd5 4. ♗xd5 ♕xd5 5. ♘c3? (5. ♕f3) 5...
♕xg2 6. ♕f3 ♗h3? This blunder has been played 147 times before on Lichess.
(6... ♕xf3 7. ♘xf3)
White to move
7.
Solution: 8. ♕xd5 (8. ♗xd5?! c6 9. ♗c4 and White missed the chance.)
8... ♕e7 9. ♕xa8
8.
White to move
8.
Solution: 4. ♕e4+! Forks the King and the Rook. 4... ♘e7 5. ♕xa8
9.
White to move
9.
1. e4 e5 2. ♘f3 ♘c6 3. ♗b5 d6 4. ♘c3 ♘e7 5. ♘d5 g6??
1. c4 e5 2. ♘c3 f5 3. e4 fxe4
White to move
10.
1. c4 e5 2. ♘c3 f5 3. e4 fxe4
Solution: 4. ♕h5+! (4. ♘xe4? Played 77% of the time on Lichess.) 4...
♔e7 5. ♕xe5+ (5. ♘d5+ ♔e6 6. ♘h3 Would be another way to play.) 5... ♔f7
6. ♕d5+ ♔e8 7. ♕h5+ ♔e7 8. ♘d5+ ♔d6 9. c5+ ♔xc5 10. d4+ ♔c6 11.
♗b5+ ♔xb5 12. ♘c3+ Played in the game Heiligermann - Szarvas 1-0, 1993.
11.
Black to move
11.
Solution: 5... ♕e4+ The Bishop can be picked up next! 6. ♕e2 ♕xa4 7.
♘xe5 ♘xe5 8. ♕xe5+ ♗e6 Black has now consolidated.
12.
White to move
12.
Solution: 9. ♕b5+ Queen checks are often dangerous! 9... c6 10. ♕xc5
13.
Black to move
13.
Solution: 5... ♘d3# Only the third most-played move in this position
(Lichess database), so remember this classic mate.
14.
1. d4 c5 2. d5 d6 3. b3 e6 4. c4
Black to move
14.
Solution: 4... ♕f6! There is no way to defend the Rook in the corner!
15.
1. e4 c5 2. ♗c4 d6 3. ♘f3 b6
White to move
15.
Solution: 4. ♗d5! Like in the last puzzle, the Rook is dead in the corner!
16.
Black to move
16.
This puzzle is not hard, but it is the first puzzle in the book going to move 10!
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. ♘c3 ♗b4 4. e5 c5 5. a3 ♗xc3+ 6. bxc3 ♕c7 7. ♕g4
f5 8. ♕g3 cxd4 9. cxd4 ♘e7 10. ♗d3?? (10. c3 This is what the grandmasters
play (Karjakin - Moskalenko, 1-0, 2004).
White to move
17.
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. ♘c3 dxe4 4. ♘xe4 ♘f6 5. ♕e2 ♘bd7 (5... ♕xd4
Stockfish's recommendation.)
Solution: 6. ♘d6# Boom! 3.400+ games with this mate in the Lichess
database.
18.
White to move
18.
Solution: 7.♗xa6! ♘xa6 8.♕a4+ With the double attack on Black's Knight
and King. ♕d7 9.♕xa6
19.
Black to move
19.
Black to move
20.
Solution: 5... b5 What the masters play in this position. If 6. ♘xb5 ♘xe4
and Black stands better.
If you selected 5... ♗b4?? then 6. ♕a4+! and your Bishop will be picked up.
This move has occurred more than 4.000 times on Lichess.
5.. c6 and 5... ♗c5 are also fine moves for Black.
21.
Slav Defense
White to move
21.
Solution: 8. ♗xd6! White simply takes the hanging piece. In the next
chapter the difficulty will be turned up a notch.
2. The Main Chapter
22.
White to move
22.
Solution: 6. ♗xf7+ Always keep an eye on f2/f7. 6... ♔d7 (6... ♔e7 7.
♕e6#) 7. ♗e6+ (7. ♕e6+ ♔c6 8. gxf3 is also good for White.) 7... ♔e7 (7...
♔e8 8. gxf3) 8. gxf3 White is up a pawn and Black can't castle.
23.
Reti Opening
White to move
23.
Solution: 9. ♗xc6+! Simply removing the defender and the Queen is lost.
24.
White to move
24.
Solution: 5. ♗xf7+! The King has to move. (5. ♘xf7 Does not work due to
5... ♕h4 6. ♕e2 (6. ♘xh8 ♕xf2#) 6... ♘d4) 5... ♔e7 6. d3 6... ♘f6 (6...
♘xg5 7. ♗xg5+! And the Queen is lost.) 7. ♗b3
6. d4 Also a good move, but maybe not as simple as d3 6... ♘xd4 (6... d5 7.
f3 ♘d6 8. ♗xd5) 7. c3 ♘c6 8. ♗d5 ♘d6 here White has several ways to attack
the Black King.
25.
White to move
25.
Solution: 8. e3! The start of a nice combination. (8. ♕a4+? ♘d7 Black has
a fine position.) 8... ♘c6 9. ♗xc6+ bxc6 10. ♕xd8+ ♔xd8 11. ♘xf7+ Forks
the King and the Rook.
26.
King's Gambit
White to move
26.
1. e4 e5 2. f4 d6 3. ♘f3 ♘c6 4. ♗c4 ♗g4
Solution: 5. h3 Is the Stockfish recommendation, but you can also play fxe5,
d3, or O-O. (5. ♗xf7+? This move does not work due to 5... ♔xf7 6. ♘g5+
♕xg5! Protecting the Bishop 7. fxg5 ♗xd1 8. ♔xd1 Black is a Knight up.)
27.
Grob Opening
White to move
27.
Solution: 5. ♕a4+! ♘c6 does not save the Bishop. 6. ♗xc6+! bxc6 7.
♕xb4
28.
Indian Game
Black to move
28.
Solution: 6... ♘xf2! 7. ♔xf2 ♗g3+ 8. ♔xg3 ♕xd1 Black wins the Queen.
29.
Italian Game: Knight Attack, Polerio, Bishop Check Line, 6...c6 7.dxc6 bxc6
Black to move
29.
Solution: 9... e4! The pawn says hello to the Knight and Bishop. 10. ♕e2
Does not help here because of ♕e7. 11. ♗xe4 ♘xe4 or ♕xe4.
30.
White to move
30.
1. e4 e5 2. ♘f3 ♘c6 3. ♗b5 a6 4. ♗xc6 dxc6 5. ♘xe5 ♕d4
Solution: 6. ♘f3 No need to get creative with ♘xf7, which has been played
more than 3000 times on Lichess. (6. ♘xf7?? ♕xe4+ 7. ♕e2 ♕xe2+ 8. ♔xe2
♔xf7) (6. ♘d3?! Is blocking the e-pawn after 6... ♕xe4+ 7. ♕e2 ♕xe2+
8. ♔xe2) (6. ♘g4 ♕xe4+ 7. ♘e3 Is an acceptable solution her too.) 6...
♕xe4+ 7. ♕e2 ♕xe2+ 8. ♔xe2 Black is a pawn up.
31.
White to move
31.
Solution: 8. ♘xd5! Black is going to lose a piece. 8... ♗xd2+ (8... exd5 9.
♗xb4) 9. ♕xd2 ♘c6 (9... exd5 10. ♕xd4)
32.
White to move
32.
Solution: 6. ♗b5! ♘c6 7. ♘e5 ♕e6 (7... ♘xe5 8. ♗xd7+ ♗xd7 White is
winning.) 8. ♘xc6 bxc6 9. ♗xc6+ White wins the Rook.
33.
Black to move
33.
White to move
34.
Solution: 10. ♔xf2 ♘g4+ 11. ♕xg4! (11. ♔e1?? Any King move and the
Bishop is lost. 11... ♕xg5) 11... ♗xg4 12. ♗xd8 ♖xd8 White enjoys a better
position with a pawn in the bag and can continue with 13. ♘d5 with threats
against c7 and ♘f6 forking the Bishop.
35.
White to move
35.
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 ♘c6 5. dxc5 ♘xe5 6. ♘f3 ♗g4
Solution: 7. ♘xe5! (7. ♗e2 A good share of players miss the chance and
play this move.) 7... ♗xd1 8. ♗b5+ ♕d7 9. ♗xd7+ (9. ♘xd7 Also works.) 9...
♔d8
36.
White to move
36.
1. e4 c5 2. ♘f3 ♘c6 3. d4 cxd4 4. ♘xd4 ♘xd4 5. ♕xd4 d6 6. ♗c4 ♘f6
7. e5 dxe5?? Always look out for this trick! (7... ♕a5+ 8. ♘c3 dxe5 now the
trick does not work anymore.)
Philidor Defense
White to move
37.
1. e4 e5 2. ♘f3 d6 3. b3 g6 4. ♗b2 ♗g7 5. d4 exd4 6. ♘xd4 c5? (6... ♘f6
With a fine position for Black.)
Solution: 7. ♘c6! (7. ♘e6? Fails because 7... ♕a5+ 8. b4 ♕xb4+ 9. ♘d2
♗xb2 10. ♘c7+ ♔d8 11. ♘xa8 ♗c3! And Black is better. (11... ♗xa1 Is not as
strong, because of 12. ♕xa1 ♕d4 13. c3)) 7... ♗xb2 8. ♘xd8 ♔xd8 9. ♘d2
♗xa1 10. ♕xa1 f6 White has a Queen for a Rook and Knight. The Black King
is however an easy target and Stockfish says +6 for White here.
38.
White to move
38.
1. e4 d5 2. exd5 ♕xd5 3. ♘c3 ♕a5 4. ♘f3 ♗g4 5. ♗e2 ♘c6 6. O-O O-
O-O 7. a3 e5 8. b4 ♕b6 (8... ♗xb4! 9. ♗b2 ♗d6)
Solution: 9. ♘a4! The Queen now looks around and sees it is trapped.
39.
Black to move
39.
Solution: 8... ♗xc3+! 9. ♗d2 ♗xd2+ (9... ♗xa1?? 10. ♘xd8) 10. ♕xd2
bxc6
40.
Russian Game: Three Knights Game
Black to move
40.
Solution: 6... d5, d6, ♖e8 or ♗b4 are fine moves to play.
(6... ♘c6?? This is the move to avoid due to 7. ♘xc6 attacking the Queen.
7... bxc6 (7... dxc6 8. ♗xc5) 8. ♗xc5)
41.
Black to move
41.
Black to move
42.
Solution: 10... b5! Exploiting the weakness on c3. (10... ♗xf3 11. ♕xf3
♕xc4 12. ♕xa8 ♕xc3+ 13. ♔e2 ♕c8 Does not achieve much for Black.) 11.
♗xb5 ♕xc3+
43.
White to move
43.
Solution: 10. ♗xh7+ ♔xh7 11. ♘g5+ ♔g6 12. ♘e2! Extra points if you
spotted this move. Only found in 2 games out of 106 on Lichess! It is now mate
in 11 moves for White and f5 does not work due to ♘f4+ ♔xg5 ♕h5# (12.
♕g4 is what most people play here and works as well. 12... f5 13. ♕h4 (13.
exf6 Not as strong +1.7 by Stockfish 13... ♔xf6 14. ♖e1) 13... ♖h8 14. ♕g3 f4
15. ♕g4 ♕g8 White is winning.) 12... ♘xd4 13. ♘f4+ ♔f5 And the Black
King is in big problems.
44.
White to move
44.
Black to move
45.
Solution: 8... d4! Attacking the Knight and opening up the Bishop against
g2. 9. exd4 (9. e4 dxc3 10. d3) 9... ♗xg2
46.
Black to move
46.
Solution: 6... ♕f6 The mainline, but you can also go ♗b6 . (6... ♘f6?? This
mistake has been made +8000 times on Lichess. 7. ♘xc6 bxc6 (7... dxc6 8.
♕xd8+ ♔xd8 9. ♗xc5) 8. ♗xc5 White is up a Bishop.)
47.
Black to move
47.
Solution: 9... ♗h6! (9... ♘gf6 The most played move in this position
missing the tactic.) 10. ♘g5 ♗xg5 11. f4 ♗h6! Black is up a piece. (11... exf4
12. ♗xf4 ♗xf4 13. ♕xf4 Also possible.)
48.
Black to move
48.
Solution: 7... g6! Now the Queen can't protect the Bishop anymore. 8. ♕d1
♗xe5
49.
Black to move
49.
Solution: 10... ♖c8! 11. ♕xc8 (11. ♕e2 ♖xc1+ 12. ♕d1 ♖xd1+) 11...
♕xc8
50.
Black to move
50.
Solution: 7... ♘xe4! (7... ♗b4+The most played move in the position. 8.
♘ed2) 8. ♗xd8 ♗b4+ 9. ♘d2 ♗xd2+ 10. ♕xd2 ♘xd2 Black is up a piece.
51.
Russian Game
White to move
51.
White to move
52.
Solution: 8. e5! ♘h5 9. ♗b5+! (9. g4 Also fine, but not as forcing. 9... ♘g7
10. ♗f4) (9. exd6?! Not as effective due to 9... ♗g7 10. ♗b5+ ♗d7 11. ♕a4)
9... ♗d7 10. e6 ♗xb5 (10... ♗g7 11. exd7+ ♔f8 12. ♕d5) 11. ♕xh8 White
has a Rook for a Bishop + a weak Black King.
53.
White to move
53.
Solution: 7. d6! White is asking what will you do about ♕e2+? Stockfish
says you might as well just take the pawn. 7... ♗xd6 8. ♕xd6
54.
White to move
54.
1. d4 c5 2. d5 e6 3. e4 exd5 4. exd5 d6 5. ♘f3 ♘f6 6. ♗g5 g6??
Solution: 7. ♗b5+! (7. ♕e2+ is not as strong since the King can move 7...
♔d7) 7... ♗d7 (7... ♘bd7 8. ♕e2+ ♗e7 9. ♗xf6) 8. ♕e2+ ♗e7 9. ♗xf6
55.
White to move
55.
Slav Defense
Black to move
56.
White to move
57.
Solution: 10. ♖c1! Shooting at the Queen and Bishop. 10... ♕a7 (10...
♕xc1 11. ♕xc1) 11. ♖xc8+ ♔e7
58.
Black to move
58.
White to move
59.
Solution: 10. c5! Traps the Queen! 10... ♖xd4 11. ♕xd4 (11. cxb6 ♖xd1+
12. ♖xd1 Do not help Black.) 11... ♘xd4 12. cxb6 ♘c6 13. bxa7 ♘xa7 White
is a Rook up.
59.
Black to move
59.
Solution: 5... ♘c6 or e6, ♗d7, and ♘bd7 would all be fine here. (5... h6??
Walks into a trap! h6 is actually the most played move in this position on Lichess
(+23000 times). 6. ♘xf7! ♔xf7 7. ♗g6+ ♔xg6 8. ♕xd8)
60.
Caro-Kann Defense
White to move
60.
Black to move
61.
Solution: 5... ♘xe4! The opening to the King on f2 is deadly for White. 6.
fxe4 (6. d4 ♕h4+ 7. ♔f1 (7. g3 ♘xg3 8. hxg3 ♕xh1+) 7... ♕f2#) 6... ♕h4+ 7.
g3 (7. ♔e2 ♕f2+ 8. ♔d3 ♕d4+ 9. ♔e2 ♕xe4+ 10. ♔f1 ♕xe5) 7... ♕xe4+ 8.
♕e2 ♕xh1+
62.
Black to move
62.
Solution: 6... ♔f8 Black needs to defend the unprotected g-pawn! (6... d6??
would allow the capture on g7. 7. ♕xg7 h5 planning ♗g4+ 8. h3 (8. ♕xh8
Taking straight away is not the best because of 8... ♗g4+ 9. ♘e2 O-O-O +-) 8...
♗e6 9. ♘f3 O-O-O 10. ♖f1 ♕xf1+ 11. ♗xf1 ♖h6)
63.
1. e4 e5 2. ♗c4 f5 3. d3 fxe4
White to move
63.
1. e4 e5 2. ♗c4 f5 3. d3 fxe4??
Black to move
64.
Solution: 4... ♕h4+ The King can now be chased! 5. ♔e2 (5. g3 ♕e4+ 6.
♕e2 ♕xh1) 5... ♕e4+ 6. ♔f2 ♗c5+ (If 6... ♕xe5 7. d4 ♕xf5+ 8. ♘f3 White
is now actually better due to better development.) 7. d4 (7. ♔g3 ♘e7) 7...
♗xd4+ 8. ♔g3 ♗xe5+
65.
Black to move
65.
Black to move
66.
Solution: 8... d5!! This surprising move has only been played in 8 games out
of 159 where this position was on the board! The Black Queen comes to life and
Black will start a strong attack. (8... ♘e5 is also fine for Black but not as
powerful.) 9. ♗xd5 (9. e5 dxc4 10. exf6 ♗xf6) 9... ♕d6 (9... ♘xd5 This is a
crazy line. 10. ♘xf7 ♗d4+ 11. ♔h1 ♖xh2+ 12. ♔xh2 ♕c7+ 13. g3 ♘f6 14.
♘h6 White is underdeveloped and with an exposed King.) 10. g3 Blocking the
capture on h2 10... ♘xd5 (10... ♘g4 is also possible.) 11. exd5 ♗d4+ 12. ♔g2
♕xd5+ 13. ♘f3 ♗h3+ 14. ♔h1 ♗xf1 Black is winning.
67.
Black to move
67.
Solution: 8...♗h6! Forcing exchanges is good for Black since White has
given a Knight for Quick development. 9. ♕xf7+ (9. ♕xc7 d5! 10. ♕xe7+
♔xe7 11. exd5 ♗xc1 12. ♖xc1 ♘xd4 13. c3 ♘f5 Played in the game: Siemes,
R. - Lefebvre, A. (0-1), Black has a Knight for two pawns with a good position.)
9... ♕xf7 10. ♗xf7+ ♔d8 11. ♗xh6 ♘xh6 12. ♗h5 ♘xd4 13. ♘c3 d6 Black
is better with a Knight for a pawn.
68.
Black to move
68.
Solution: 4... g6 The mainline, but many moves are possible: ♘bd7, ♗d7,
or ♘c3. 4... ♘xe4? If this was your move you walked into a trap! 5. ♕a4+!
Picking up the Knight.
69.
White to move
69.
Solution: 7. ♗xf7+ Now Black doesn't have any tactics. (7. ♘xf7? This
move runs into 7... ♕c6 attacking the Bishop and looking at g2! 8. d3 (8. ♗f1
♘xc2+) (8. O-O ♕xc4) 8... ♕xg2) 7. d3 or 7. O-O Also correct solutions.
70.
White to move
70.
1. e4 e5 2. ♘f3 ♘f6 3. ♘xe5 ♘c6 4. ♘xc6 dxc6 5. ♘c3 ♗c5 6. ♗c4?!
♘g4
(7. O-O?? ♕h4! The King has moved into an ambush. 8. h3 ♘xf2 9. ♖xf2
♕xf2+ 10. ♔h1 White has big problems to solve.) (7. ♕f3 Second best option
♘e5 8. ♕h5 (8. ♕e2 ♕h4 9. g3 ♕h3) 8... ♕d4 9. ♗e2 ♕xf2+ 10. ♔d1) 7...
♕f6 (7... ♘xh2?? 8. ♕h5) 8. ♕e2 Protecting f2. 8... ♘xh2 9. ♕h5! ♘xf1 (9...
♗d6 10. ♖h1) 10. ♕xc5 If 9... ♗d6 it gets a bit complicated, but White is
slightly worse.
71.
Black to move
71.
1. e4 d5 2. d4 dxe4 3. f3 ♘f6 4. ♗g5 ♗f5 5. ♘c3
White to move
72.
Solution: 9. d6! Avoiding ♗g4 move and opening the protection of the f7-
square for the Knight in the corner. Another acceptable way to avoid the move is
with h3. (9. c3?? ♗g4! Now the Queen will have to move away from defending
the King. 10. ♕a4+ ♘d7 11. ♔xf2 (11. cxd4 ♕f6) 11... ♕h4+ 12. g3 (12. ♔f1
O-O-O Stockfish gives mate in 12 from here.) 12... ♕f6+ 13. ♔e1 ♕f3 14. ♖f1
♕e4+ 15. ♔f2 O-O-O 16. cxd4 ♖f8+ 17. ♔g1 ♕xd4+ 18. ♔g2 ♕e4+ 19.
♔g1 ♖xf1+ 20. ♗xf1 ♕xa4 21. ♘c3 ♕d4+ 22. ♔g2 e4 23. ♗e2 ♗xe2 24.
♘xe2 ♕d3 25. ♘f4 ♕f3+ 26. ♔h3 g5 27. ♘e6 h5 Malada, V. - D., Kenad, 0-
1, 2001) 9... ♕xd6 (9... ♗g4 10. dxe7 ♗xd1 11. ♔xf2 White is winning.) 10.
♘f7
73.
White to move
73.
Solution: 6. ♘bd2, O-O, h3, ♕e2, ♗e3, ♗g5, ♘c3 Are all playable. (6.
♘xe5?? On Lichess this move is played about 18% of the time. 6... ♕d4! 7.
♗e3 ♕xe5 8. d4 ♕xe4 9. dxc5 ♕xg2)
74.
Black to move
74.
Solution: 8... ♘fd7 (8... ♘d5?? This move is too optimistic and will be
punished by White! 9. ♗b5+! ♔f8 (9... ♘c6 10. ♘xc6 bxc6 11. ♗xc6+ now
the Rook drops) (9... ♗d7 10. ♘xd5) 10. O-O White now has a Rook on the
King and better development. 10... ♘c6 11. ♕f3) (8... ♘g4 is better than ♘d5,
but also runs into problems after. 9. ♗b5+ ♘c6 (9... ♗d7 10. ♕xg4) 10. ♘xc6
♕xd1+ 11. ♘xd1 Salinnikov, D. Y. - Olenin, N., 1/2-1/2, 1998) 9. e6 ♘e5 10.
exf7+ (10. ♗b5+ ♘bc6) 10... ♔xf7 White is slightly better according to
Stockfish.
75.
White to move
75.
1. d4 ♘f6 2. c4 e5 3. dxe5 ♘g4 4. ♗f4 ♘c6 5. ♘f3 ♗b4+ 6. ♘bd2 ♕e7
7. a3 ♘gxe5
Solution: 8. ♘xe5 (8. axb4?? ♘d3# Would be a rough (and short) day at
the office for White.) (8. ♗xe5 is also fine. 8... ♗xd2+ 9. ♕xd2 ♘xe5 10.
♘xe5 ♕xe5) 8... ♘xe5 9. e3
76.
White to move
76.
Solution: 8. ♘b5! Threatening checkmate on c7! ♘a6 is the best try (8...
♗xf3 Taking the Queen is a no-go. 9. ♘xc7#) (8... ♕xb5 9. ♗xb5+ and Black
can't win back the Queen. 9... c6 10. ♕f4 cxb5 11. ♕c7 ♘bd7 12. ♘f3) 9.
♕xb7! ♕e4 10. ♕xa6 Credit to you if you calculated this far! (10. ♕xe4
Maybe the simplest way. 10... ♘xe4 11. ♘f3) 10... ♗xd1 11. ♔xd1 ♖d8+
(11... ♕xe3 12. ♕c6+ ♘d7 13. ♕xa8+) 12. ♗d2 ♖xd2+ Black can try this,
but the Black Queen can't keep checking the White King. 13. ♔xd2 ♕f4+ 14.
♔e2 e6 and White have a winning position.
77.
White to move
77.
Solution: 9. ♗xh7+! Almost all French players have walked into this move
at some point. 9... ♔xh7 (9... ♔h8 10. ♗c2 g6 11. ♗g5 ♕c7 12. ♗f6+ ♔g8
13. ♕d2 Jaroka, S. - Nagy, Z., 1-0, 1996) 10. ♘g5+ ♔g6 (10... ♔g8 11. ♕h5
♖e8 12. ♕xf7+ ♔h8 13. ♕h5+ ♔g8 14. ♕h7+ ♔f8 White is having so much
fun here.) 11. h4! (11. ♕d3 works as well) f5 12. h5+ ♔h6 13. ♘xe6+ Now the
Queen drops!
78.
King's Knight Opening
1.e4 e5 2.♘f3 ♗d6 3.♗c4 ♘h6 4.d4 ♘c6 5.♘c3 O-O 6.h4 ♕e8 7.♗xh6
gxh6 8.♘g5 ♔g7 9.♕g4 ♔h8
White to move
78.
1.e4 e5 2.♘f3 ♗d6 3.♗c4 ♘h6 4.d4 ♘c6 5.♘c3 O-O 6.h4 ♕e8 7.♗xh6
gxh6 8.♘g5 ♔g7 9.♕g4 ♔h8 (Haufiku, T. - Ambade, R. S., 2014)
Black to move
79.
Solution: 7... ♘xd4! 8. ♗xd7+ (8. ♕d3 ♘xb5 and Black is up a piece
♗xb5 also works.) 8... ♕xd7 White can't move the Queen and protect the
Knight in the same move.
80.
Black to move
80.
1. e4 e5 2. ♘f3 ♘c6 3. ♗b5 ♗c5 4. O-O ♘f6 5. ♖e1 O-O 6. ♗xc6 dxc6
7. ♘xe5 ♖e8 8. ♘d3?? (8. ♘f3 was the better way back)
Solution: 8... ♗g4! The f-pawn really would like to help, but it is tied down
by the Bishop on c5. 9. ♖e2 Now Black has several ways to continue and win
the game. 9... ♗xe2 10. ♕xe2 ♘xe4
81.
Scotch Game: Haxo Gambit
Black to move
81.
Black to move
82.
Solution: 7... ♗xg3 This is the Stockfish move ev. -0.9. (7... ♕a5+?? This
time ♕a5+ actually loses a piece! 8. b4! ♕xb4+ (8... cxb4 9. ♘xd6) 9. c3 ♕a5
10. ♗xd6) 8. hxg3
Black to move
83.
Solution: 7... hxg5! Black can regain the Queen with interest. 8. hxg6
♖xh1+ 9. ♔e2 ♖xd1 10. ♔xd1
84.
Van't Kruijs Opening
Black to move
84.
Solution: 7... ♘d4! Only spotted 2% of the time on Lichess. 8. ♕d3 White
will lose material in all variations. (8. ♕f1 ♘xc2+ 9. ♔d1 ♗xg2 10. ♕xg2
♘xa1) 8... ♗xg2 9. exd4 ♗xh1 10. f3 h5 11. ♕f1 d5 12. ♘ge2 ♗xf3 13.
♕xf3 Black is up 2 pawns and the exchange!
85.
Russian Game: Modern Attack
White to move
85.
Solution: 10. ♖xe6+! (10. ♘xe6? ♗xf2+) 10... fxe6 11. ♕h5+ The Bishop
will drop. 11... ♕g6 12. ♕xc5
86.
1. e4 e5 2. ♘f3 ♘c6 3. ♘c3 ♘f6 4. ♗b5 ♘d4 5. ♗a4 ♗c5 6. O-O O-O 7.
♘xe5 d6 8. ♘d3
Black to move
86.
1. e4 e5 2. ♘f3 ♘c6 3.♘c3 ♘f6 4. ♗b5 ♘d4 5. ♗a4 ♗c5 6. O-O O-O 7.
♘xe5 d6 8. ♘d3 (8. ♘f3 Sanchez, J. - Dervishi, E., 2004, 1-0)
Solution: 8... ♗g4! 9. ♕e1 ♘f3+ 10. gxf3 ♗xf3 11. ♘xc5 ♘g4 White is
lost after the Queen enters on h4.
3. The Hard Ones!
87.
Englund Gambit
White to move
87.
Solution: 8. ♖b1! (8. ♘cb5 Fails because of 8... cxd4) (8. ♘db5 and Black
can win the Queen. 8... ♘xc2+ 9. ♕xc2 ♕xc2) 8... ♕a3 (8... ♕xb1 9. ♕xb1)
9. ♘db5 ♕a5 10. a3 ♘c6 (10... a6 11. axb4 cxb4 12. ♖a1 ♕b6 13. ♘d5) 11.
♘d5 ♕a4 12. ♘bc7+ ♔d8 13. ♘xa8 Extra credit if you saw this far.
88.
Slav Defense: Modern, Chameleon Variation
Black to move
88.
(10... ♖b8?? 11. ♕xc6+) (10... ♗d7? 11. ♕b3 The Queen escapes.) 11.
♕b4
(11. ♗b5+ This move does not solve the problem. 11... axb5 12. ♕xb5+
♗d7 13. ♕d3 ♘b3 14. ♖b1) 11... e5!
89.
Sicilian Defense: Normal Line, 5.Nc3
White to move
89.
Solution: 8. c3! ♕a5 9. ♘xc5! (9. b4?! Not as strong and Black still has a
chance. 9... ♗xb4 10. cxb4 ♕xb4+ 11. ♔e2 ♘xe4) 9... ♕xc5 10. ♘b5 Black
is behind in development and will lose material. (10. ♘xe6 is also playable.)
10... ♕c6 (10... ♕e7 11. ♘c7+) 11. e5 ♘e4 12. ♕g4 g6 13. ♕xe4 ♕xe4 14.
♘d6+
90.
Sicilian Defense: Kveinis Variation
White to move
90.
Solution: 8. ♘a4! Forking the Queen and Bishop. 8... ♕b4+ 9. c3 ♕a5 10.
♘xc5 ♕xc5 11. ♘b5 ♕c6 12. ♘d6+ Black is way behind in development for
just one pawn. 12... ♔e7 13. ♕d4 (13. e5 Also an option for White.) 13... ♕xd6
(13... ♔f8 14. O-O) 14. ♕xg7!
91.
Queen's Gambit Declined: Marshall Gambit
White to move
91.
1.e4 e5 2.f4 d5 3. ♘f3 dxe4 4. ♘xe5 ♗c5 5. ♘c3 ♘f6 6. ♕e2 ♘c6 7.
♘xf7 ♕e7 8. ♘xh8 ♘d4 9. ♕d1
Black to move
92.
1.e4 e5 2.f4 d5 3. ♘f3 dxe4 4. ♘xe5 ♗c5 5. ♘c3 ♘f6 6. ♕e2 ♘c6 7.
♘xf7 ♕e7 8. ♘xh8 ♘d4 9. ♕d1
Solution: 9...♘f3+! 10. gxf3 exf3+ 11. ♗e2 f2+! 12. ♔f1 ♗h3# From the
game Alfred K. Ettlinger vs. David Janowski, New York, 1898.
93.
Sicilian Defense: Open
Black to move
93.
Sicilian Defense: Open
Black to move
93.
Solution: 9..♕b6! There is no way to add extra protection to the Knight (9...
O-O Fishbein, A. - Sokolov, A., 1/2-1/2, 1990, If you solved it remember to give
yourself some credit.) 10. e5 ♘xd4 11. ♔h1 ♘d5 and Black is up a Knight. The
starting position of the puzzle has been reached 651 times on Lichess and only
156 times was ♕b6 found.
94.
Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation
White to move
94.
Solution: 11. c4! ♕f5 12. ♕e2! Now the Knight is lost or the Queen.
(12. ♕c2? ♘xd4! 13. ♕d1 ♘xf3+ 14. gxf3 ♘xf2! 15. ♕a4+ (15. ♔xf2
♕xd3) 15... b5 16. ♗xf5 bxa4 17. ♔xf2 We are about equal here!) 12... ♘xd2
13. ♗xf5 ♘xf3+ 14. gxf3
95.
Scandinavian Defense: Main Line
White to move
95.
Solution: 8. ♘b5! White attacks the Queen and Knight. Only spotted in 27
out of 182 games on Lichess. 8... ♗xf3 (8... ♘xf3+ 9. gxf3 ♗xf3 10. ♕xf3 and
White is up a piece with better development.) (8... ♕b6 Fleeing with the Queen
also fails due to 9. ♘bxd4 e5 10. ♕e2 O-O-O 11. ♗f5+! ♗xf5 12. ♘xf5 White
is up again.) 9. ♗xa5 ♗xd1 10. ♘xc7+ forking the King and Rook 10... ♔d7
11. ♖xd1 (11. ♘xa8? ♗xc2) 11... b6 12. ♘xa8 bxa5 13. ♗b5+ ♔d6 14.
♖xd4+ White is winning.
96.
Sicilian Defense: Four Knights Variation
White to move
96.
White to move
97.
Solution: 6. fxe3! (6. ♗xb4?? This blunder has been committed more than
6000 times on Lichess and is called the Lasker trap! 6... exf2+ 7. ♔e2
fxg1=♘+!! 8. ♔e1 (8. ♖xg1 ♗g4+) 8... ♕h4+ 9. g3 (9. ♔d2 ♘c6 (9... ♗g4
Pavlov, B. S. -Wilton, G., 0-1, 1973)) 9... ♕e4+ 10. ♔f2 ♕xh1)
(6. ♕a4+? ♘c6 7. ♗xb4 (7. fxe3 ♕h4+ Black is still attacking the White
King.) 7... ♕h4! Now White is under some real pressure from the Queen and
pawn. 8. g3 exf2+ 9. ♔xf2 ♕d4+ 10. ♔e1 (10. ♔g2 ♕xb2+ 11. ♗e2 ♕xa1)
10... ♕e4+ 11. ♔f2 ♕xh1) 6... ♕h4+ 7. g3 ♕e4 8. ♕f3 White is still in the
game (Shumiakina, Tatiana - Raetsky, A., 0-1, 1995).
98.
Italian Game: Two Knights Defense - Traxler Counterattack - Knight
Sacrifice Line
White to move
98.
Solution: 9. ♕e3! The only move! (9. ♕f1? ♖f8! 10. ♘c3 ♘g5 and Black
are going to pick up the Knight 11. d3 ♘xf7) (9. ♘d6+?? ♘xd6) (9. ♕d1
♕f2#) (9. ♕d3 ♕f2#) 9... ♘xc2 10. ♕e2 ♖f8 The game is a mess, but equal.
(10... ♘d4 11. ♕e3 ♘c2 12. ♕e2 draw.)
99.
Center Game: Kieseritzky Variation
White to move
99.
White to move
100.
Solution: 10. ♕h5! Threatening mate and the Bishop on c5. (10. O-O By
far the most played move in this position.) 10... ♘f5 Blocking with the Knight
does not save Black. (10... ♗d6 11. ♗xh7+ ♔h8 12. ♗g6+ ♔g8 13. ♕h7#) 11.
♘xf5 ♗xf5 (11... ♗xe3 12. ♘e7+ ♘xe7 13. ♕xh7#) 12. ♗xf5 g6 13. ♗xg6
hxg6 14. ♕xc5
I hope you enjoyed this ebook. Remember to check out 'Blindfold Endgame
Visualization' in the Amazon store if you have not yet solved it.
/Martin B. Justesen