Academy | Calculation | Framework | Resources | Example #4
This one is a bit trickier.
Solution
White’s knight on c6 is undefended, making it a natural target. Also, with the trade 1… Rxd1 2. Rxd1, we can create another undefended target on d1. At that point, we can attack both targets simultaneously with 2… Qa4, setting up a fork.
But now we must calculate further to confirm the tactic truly works. This step is crucial — before committing to a combination you must be certain your opponent has no effective response, even deep into the variation.
Tricky variations you had to foresee before you could play 1… Rxd1 with confidence:
- 1… Rxd1+ 2. Rxd1 Qa4 3. Rd6 (defending the knight but leaves the back-rank undefended) Qa1+ 4. Qf1 Qxf1# or
- 1… Rxd1+ 2. Rxd1 Qa4 3. Ne7+ Kf8 4. Qd2 Kxe7 or
- 1… Rxd1+ 2. Rxd1 Qa4 3. Qd2 Qxc6 4. Qd8+ Qe8.