Glenn Flear

GLENN FLEAR
TACTIMANIA
Find the Winning Combination
Quality Chess
www.qualitychess.co.uk
First English edition 2011 by Quali ty Chess UK Ltd
First published in French by Olibris
Copyr ight © 2011 Glenn Flear
TACTIMANIA
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Contents
Introduction ....................... ............. ................ .......... .... .. .......... 5

The Characters .... ................ ...... ...... .......... ........ ............. .... .... ... 6
Chapter 1 Mate is in the Air! .... .............. ..... ........ ............... . 10

Chapter 2 Tactics for Tyros .. ...... .. .... ... ...... ....... ... .. ... ........... 26
Chapter 3 Deviate to D ominate ......... .. .. ..... .............. ......... . 5 1
Chapter 4 O n the Attack! ................ ........ ............................ 65
Chapter 5 Pinching Pi ces and Pawns ............ .. ... .. ... ........... 99
Chapter 6 Punishing Precariously Placed Pieces ... .... .... .. ... 122
Chapter 7 Blunder-bashing ......... ........ ................ ..... .......... 139
Chapter 8 Decisive Defence ... .. ..... .... ... ..... ........... ...... ....... 157
Chapter 9 Excel in the Endgame!........ .. .... ....... ... ........ ... .... 175
Chapter 10 Until the Bitter End! ........... ....... .. ..... .......... ...... 197
Chapter 11 Tricky D ecisions .... .... ... .... .......... ... ........ .. ......... 209
Chapter 12 Chess is not an Easy Game .. ... ....... ......... ... ... .. .. 222
Chapter 13 The Tactimania Test ........... ... ...... .... ...... ............ 241
·"
•
Introduction
Tactimania simply means 'passion for tactics'.
If you enjoy chess, especially tactical chess, and you would
like to improve this aspect of your game, then Tactimania is for
you! Indeed, my main intention is to help the reader develop his
experience and 'gut-feeling' for tactics, by solving chess puzzles.
Chess can be great fun, but also a learning experience and I hope
that you find this book of chess puzzles to be both. All players who
have already learned the moves and played a few friendly games
should be able to benefit. Experienced players will also find some
testing material towards the end of each chapter and especially in the
laner part of the book, so the book is aimed at just about everybody
in the chess world.
The game of chess is full of tactics which can be described as 'threats, opportunities and short-term
ideas that require calculation'. These merit particular attention if one wants to improve. Fortunately
tactical themes are a most delightful aspect of the game and one can learn whilst enjoying oneself,
that is, if the right sort of material is available.
I have relied on my own chess experiences in my search for less well-known examples. So the vast
majority of the positions are from my own games, with the remainder from my wife's.
In order to give a good idea of the level of difficulty, each puzzle is classified according to one of
the following three categories:
Apprentice
Advanced student
Expert
The chapters, especially the early ones, have definite themes, so this may help you focus your thoughts
and perhaps give you some clues in order to get going.
So whatever your playing strength, I suggest that you start at the beginning of each chapter and
then take it from there!
It is generally accepted that experienced players have a tendency to recognize patterns and themes
more readily. This ability then enables them to better navigate positions requiring tactical calculation.
So it follows that if you increase your exposure to positions requiring' a combination', you will be
better armed to find the move that can make all the difference!
If you are not familiar with the terminology used in the tactical environment, don't despair, it will
become clear as you read through the chapters.
A final point before delving into the exercises. I personally find the use of colour or illustrations in a
chess book adds the icing to the cake, so I was enthusiastic about including both of these!
I hope you too appreciate the humour and creativity of the artist, James Flear, my eldest son. In
fact the book is a family effort all round, as my wife Christine has helped out with many aspects of
the book including the translation in the French edition.
Glenn Flear
Baillargues, France
March 2011
•
The Characters
The PalNns
Courageous, they won't

hesitate to attack the noble
pieces. Remember they are
stronger when united! Their
ultimate aim is to reach the
far end of the chessboard to
magnify their powers.
The Kniqhts
With their unique L-shaped

leap, they avoid obstacles
and jump over defences.
Their weaving gallop can
daze and confuse!
The Bishops
By moving diagonally they

go where one least expects
theml Be careful about their
surprise slanted attacksl
•
The Characters
The Rooks
Don't underestimate their

brute force! They advance
in straight lines destroying
everything in their way.
Despite the predictability of
their assaults, they can cause
a great deal of damage.
The Queens
These amazons have learned

many attacking techniques
and wreak havoc in all
directions. Even if they
haven't fathomed the secret
of the knight's leap, they are
still the most powerful piece
of all.
The Kinqs
Always at the helm, however

long the battle rages. They
have absolute confidence in
their soldiers, who in return
will do everything in their
powers to protect them.
•
Are Ljau ReadLj?
Lets• Ga!
Chapter Dne
I ~ mm~Hilmt4£m10
Checkmate is the principal objective of the game of chess, so it seems like a reasonable place to start.
In this chapter, seeking a possible mate will never be far from our thoughts. So in each of the
puzzles that follow below, your aim will be to determine a way to dethrone the opposing monarch.
When we sit down at the board we dream ofinRicting this ultimate punishment. However, for this
to become a reality, we often have to aim for and accumulate lesser advantages before launching
into a mating attack.
A player who exclusively aims for mate is not successful very often. In general, it is necessary for
him to place his pieces on active, then more aggressive squares, and perhaps win some material
along the way before turning his attention to Checkmate. Once the right conditions have been
achieved he can start to calculate to see if a direct mate is possible.
It may help to bear in mind that each 'soft spot' in the opposing camp can be a tactical weakness,
and these can be fatal when concerning those defences near the king.
In each case you may find it useful to ask yourself the following question: H ow can I exploit any
vulnerability in the opposing team's defences?
You will soon note that each exercise is classified by a number of stars.
The early ones in the chapter have one star ( ). These particular puzzles will generally require
two or three moves of calculation .
•
Mate is in the Air!
Naturally, those puzzles denoted by ( ) will require rather more attention. Either the
combination is longer, or perhaps involves more finesse .
In the more difficult cases, towards the end of the chapter denoted by ( ), you will often
need to weave a web to ensnare the opposing king. This may take longer and will generally involve
making a series of threats that ultimately leads to the creation of a mating net.
Before getting down to some serious solving, here are a couple of examples to demonstrate what
is expected and also, hopefully, to whet your appetite! Sometimes the mate is forced, as in the first
example:
8
G. FIear - P. Genov
7 San Sebastian 2006
6
5 52.E:h8t ~g6 53.~xd6t ~f7 54J!f8#
4
3
2
0
a b c d e f g h
In other cases, with best play, the defender can actually avoid being mated, but nevertheless the
threats are sufficiently strong to give the attacking side a winning game.
K. Terrieux - G. Flear
Guingamp 2008
28.!,k7! !hb5
8 After 28 ...1Wxc7 29 .lLlxc7 mate is a long way
7 off, but Black is obviously in trouble.
Otherwise, 28 ... <±>d8 resists a little longer:
6
29.gfcl gxb5 (29 .. .gxb3 30.gc8t <±>e7
5 31.gIc7 gb2t 32.<±>f3 gb3t 33 .<±>g4 and
4 Black is in a mating net) 30.gc8t <±>e7
3 31.axb5 !%h2t 32.<±>gI !%b2 33.g Ic7 W:ixc7
(to avoid the mate following W:if6t) 34.!%xc7
2
<±>d8 , but White is clearly winning.
0 29.~f6t
a b c d e f g h The knight is pinned.
29 ... ~e8 30.i!c8t
And mate next move.
1-0
•
Are a.,au
realla.,
reada.,?
•
~
1-1
Exercises 1-4
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0
a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
1-2 1-5
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
1-3 1-6
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
•
Glenn Flear Tactimania
1-1 G. Flear - R. Borchert 1-4 M. Burgess - G. Flear

Griesbach-im-Rottal 1983 Uppingham 1987
34.. Jhh2! 35.ixf3

Or 35 .~xh2 '8Ih3t 36. i>gl 'l'Yh1#.
1-2 B. Mallet - G. Flear 35 .. J~hlt 36.c;!;>xg2 Wlh3#
Avoine 1985
1-5 G. Flear - A. Jurkovic
27...Wlxg3t 28.hxg3 gh1# Eichgraben 1987
1-3Z.Slapak- G. Flear 43.h4t c;!;>g4 44.lilf6#

Cappelle-Ia-Grande 1986
1-6 G. Forintos - G. Flear
22 ...Wlxa2t 23.c;!;>xa2 ga5t 24.c;!;>b1 ga1# Lille 1985
39... gg3t 40.hxg3 Wlxg3t 41.gg2 Wlxg2#
•
~
Mate is in the Air!
1-7 1·10
8 8
7
6
5
4
3
2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
1-8
1·11
8
8
7
7
6
6
5
5
3
3
2
2
0
1-9
1-12
8
8
7
7
6
5
5
4
4
3
3
2
2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
•
1-7 R. Kasimdzhanov - C. Flear 1-10 G. Flear - M. Vanderbeeken

Bastia 1997 Calvia 2006
33 ...~dl t 341hdl ihdl# 51.e4

With the threat of ~cg 1 mating.
1-8 G. Flear - J. Swindells 5l...h5 52.Ekgl t Wh6 53.!'!g6t Wh7
British League 2010 54.!'!xh5#
27.!'!fBt Wh7 1-11 C. Flear - P. Tregubov

If27 ....bf8 then 28.~g8#. Bastia 1997
28.~g6#
29...!'!h4t! 30.gxh4
1-9 D. Gelis - G. Flear Or 30.~g2 tLJe3t 31. ~g l ~g2#.
Perpignan 2004 30 ... lLlf4t 31.Wg3 ~g2#
1-12 G. Flear - J. Thynne

Clermont-Ferrand 1986
32.!'!xc8 ~xc8 33.!'!d8 ~c7 34.!'!xe8! !'!xe8

35.~xg7#
•
Mate is in the Air!
1·13 1·16
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
1-14 1-17
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
1·15 1·18
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
•
1-13 C. Bernard - G. Flear 1-17 E. Pandavos - G. Flear

Cap d'Agde 2006 Kecskemet 1982
2S... f'l! 16...i.f4! 17.~xg4

Instead 28 .. Jhh2t 29.'it>gl ~xd4t 30.~xd4 This offers White little hope, but at least he
gh4 was played in the game. Black was better can struggle on a while longer.
but the fight was far from over. Otherwise, there is 17.~xf4 ~h 1# and
29.~xd5 17.gxf4 ~hlt 18.'it>e2 ~xf3t 19.'it>xf3
29.~xg2 fl=~t 30.gxfl ~xg2#. ~xcl-+.
29 .. J'~gl# 17...~xg4IS.o~h419..txf4d520.hd5cxd5
21.gd4 ~hlt 22.'i:t>f2 gfeS 23.J.d2 ~ 0-1
1-14 F. Tanguy- G. Flear
St Affrique 2000 I-IS C. Flear - E. Bricard
Cannes 1988
19 . ..liJh4! 20.liJf4 M4! 21.tilxh4 gxh4!
22.gxh4 ~xh2# 27.d7! i.xd7 2S.~aSt i.fB 29.i.e7!
Mate is unavoidable.
1-15 I. Kourkanakis - G. Flear 1-0
Heraklion 1984
34... ghl t! 35.i.xhl ~h3t! 36.~xh3 ~xhl t

37.~g4 fSt 3S.~f4 ~e4#
1-16 G. Flear - G. Blum

Eppstein 1984
27.gdxh7! i.fS
If 27 ... gxf2 then 28.gh8t 'it>f7 29.g1h7#.
2S.ghSt
Even quicker is 28.ttJxc7!.
28. ..~f7 29.g1h7t ~e6 30.gxf5t gxf5
31.gh6t ~d5
Or 3l...'it>d7 32J:~8h7t 'it>d8 33.~d4t etc.
32.~d4#
•
~
Mate is in the Air!
1-19 1-22
8 8
7 7
5 5
4
3 3
2 2
0 0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
1-20 1-23
8 8
7 7
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
1-21 1-24
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
•
1-19 J. Plachetka - C. Flear 1-22 G. Flear - E. Neiman

St Vincent 2002 Paris 1983
28.)3xe6! fxe6 29.~Ut ~h8 30.~g6 lDe4 44.g3!

31.Wfxe4 ~g8 32.Wfxe6t ~h8 33.lDUt ~g8 Sometimes the solution is a quiet move!
34.lDxh6t ~h8 35.~g8t )3xg8 36.lDU# 44 ... lDBt 45.~h1 )3h6 46.~d3t ~f2
47.gfl#
1-20 C. Flear - M. Petursson
Berne 1991 1-23 G. Flear - M. Surtees
Liverpool 2008
29 ...~c8!
Changing direction! 35.ixh7!
30.)3e1 It seems that 35.ggf1 also forces mate, but
Or 30. ~b1 i.d2, and if 31.lDa2, then this is the most efficient.
3l...lDe2t 32.Wfl ~h3#. 35...gxh 7 36JhfS t lD xf8 37.~ xf8#
30...~h30-1
1-24 G. Flear - P.Y. Schmitt
1-21 P. Nabavi - G. Flear Montpellier 2007
Chamalieres 2007
22.gxe6t! fxe6 23.Wfxg6t
43 ... ge2t Even better is 23.gxe6t! Wd8 24.i.a5t Wc8
Double check! 25.gd6, for example 25 ... ~b5 26.gd8t gxd8
44.~h3 Wfd3t 27 . ~c7#.
More precise is 44 ...~e6t 45.Wg3 ~e3t 23 ... ~fS 24.)3xe6 Wfh7
46.Wg4 h5#. The queen is pinned, but this doesn't hold
45.~g4 White back.
Or 45 .~g3 ~f5t 46.~g4 ge3t etc. 25.ih4t! )3xb426.ge8#
45 ... gglt 46.~f4 ~f5#
•
~
Mate is in the Air!
1·25 1·28
8 8
7 7
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
1·26 1-29
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
1-27 1-30
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
•
1-25 A. Adorjan - G. Flear 1-28 B. Abramovic - G. FIear

Szirak 1986 Hastings 1984/5
36.. J~dl! 32...'lWg3! 33.dxe4 gdl 34.Ag8t Wh8!

A counter-attack! Dodging and weaving!
37.Aa6 Not 34 ... @xg8? because of 35.~f7t ~h7
The only way to keep the game alive is 36 . ~f5t @g8 37.~e6t ~h8 38.lUg6t and
37.f4 lUxf4 38.ixc6 ixc6 391!xc6t @f5 White manages to draw.
40Jk5t @g6, but Black takes possession of 35.~£1t Wxg8 36.'lWe8t Wh7 37.'lWh8t Wg6
the kingside. There is no perpetual check, so ...
37... ~f4 38.i.fl 0-1
lhis avoids the mate on g2 ...
38... ~h5# 1-29 G. Flear - G. Andruet
... but not this one! Bagneux 1985
1-26 D. Leygue - G. Flear 44.e5!

Cap d'Agde 2006 Supporting the knighton f6 is a key element
in the mating net.
25 .. .lhg4t! 26.hxg4 'lWxg4t 27.Wfl Instead 44.lUg6t? is premature as Black can
27.@h2 loses to 27 ... Ei:h5t 28.~h4 Ei:xh4t then escape with 44 ... @g7.
29.ixh4 ~xh4t etc. 44... dxe5 45.fxe5 gh3 46.~g6t ~xg6
27.. J~d1t! 28,lhd1 Ac4t 29.We1 'lWe2# If 46 ... @g7 then 47.lUxe7t.
47.gxg6 gxh2t 48.We3 ggl 49.Ag4
1-27 D. Bryson - G. Flear Mate on g8 is unstoppable.
Edinburgh 1985 1-0
41...'lWh2! 1-30 T. Manouck - G. FIear

The threat to go to e3 via gl paralyses White. St Chely d'Aubrac 2001
Unfortunately, I played the inferior 41 ...gxf5?
and after 42.Ei:d2 Ei:b 1t43.Ei:d1 Ei:xd1 t 44.@xd1 26.'lWxe4!
h4 45.ixf5lUxf5 46.~b7t @f647. ~b6t @g5 The weakness of the back rank is exposed.
48.gxh4t I couldn't quite win. 26 ... E!xe4 27.gd8t 'lWffi 28.gaa8!
42.f6t Wh7 43.Ab5 The eighth rank pressure is overwhelming.
Or 43.f7 ~gl t 44.~f1 ~e3t 45.~e2 In the game, under serious time pressure,
~xe2#. White continued with the inferior 28.l'hf8t?
43 .. Jhb5 44.£1 @xf8 29.lUd6 Ei:be7! 30.lUxe4 Ei:xe4 31.Ei:cl
In fact 44.~f4 resists a little longer: 44 .. .Ei:f5! Ei:e2 and Black then had the advantage and
(prettiest) 45.~c7t lUf7 46.~xf7t @h6 went on to win.
47. ~f8t @g5 48.Ei:d3 ~g2 and White can 28 ... g6
resign. Relatively better than 28 .. .~xd8? 29.Ei:xd8t.
44... gb2! 45.ffi='IW 29lixffit Wg7 30.~d6 gel t 31.Wgl
45.f8=lUt isn't much better due to 45 ... @g8!. White emerges with a clear extra piece.
45...'IW gl t 46.'lWfl 'lWe3t 47.'lWe2 'lWxe2#
•
~
Mate is in the Air!
1-31 1-34
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0
1-32 1-35
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
0 0
1-33 1-36
8 8
7 7
6
5 5
4
3 3
2 2
•
1-31 C. Flear - I. Erneste 1-33 G. Flear -A. Rawlinson

Debrecen 1992 British League 2010
38.ghffi! 30... 5!
White wastes no time in targeting the My opponent had noticed the weakness of
vulnerability of Black's king. my first rank.
38... c4 39.~g2! 31.~M
The king is surrounded. Here 31.exf5? fails to 31.. Jhd5! 32.gxd5
39 ... cxb3 40.gf7t me6 41.~h3t Filg4 Wifl#.
42.~xg4# 31. .. fxe4 32.~xe4
32.hce4? allows mate in two: 32... Wifl t
1-32 G. Flear - T. Gouret 33.gxf1 f!xf1#.
Le Havre 1989 32... gf4!
The rook is taboo.
27.g4t! 33.~e2
The only good continuation. There are several alternatives:
27...,bg4 28.!hg4! mxg4 29.~xg6t mh3 1) 33.lLlxf4? f!xdlt and mate.
30.~g2t mxM 31.mf2! 2) 33.Wixe5? f!d4 34.f!bb1 f!8xd5 and Black
Stepping aside to allow the rook to join the wins a piece.
attack. 3) 33.Wie1 f!d4! 34.lLle3 E'hd1 35.lLlxd1 Wid3
31...ixe3t 32.ma 36.lLlf2 Wc3 37 .Wb1 ixf2 38.E!xf2 E!d3,
The threat of f!h 1t is too strong. and if 39.E!b2 then 39 ... Wxb2!.
32...~xf6t 33.ixf6t mh5 34.ghl# 4) 33.Wb1! (the lesser evil) 33 ... E!d4 34.E!xd4
ixd4 35.lLlc7 Wic6 36.E!c2 ic3 37.lLlb5 e4
38.hce4 Wixe4 39.E!cl We2 and Black has
great pressure, but White has some hope of
resisting.
•
Mate is in the Air!
33...'?Nxe2 34J'he2 !:id4! 35.E!xd4 i.xd4 1-35 G. Buckley- G. Flear

The knight doesn't have a decent square. Liverpool 2008
36.ltJe7
After 36.4Je3 simply 36 ....Le3 37~xe3 !!d1 t. 49.~d4! !!hd250.~c5! !!xd3 51.~b6
If instead 36.4Jc7 ib6, there would be Mate is forced.
two strong threats: capturing the knight and 1-0
mating along the first rank.
36...ic5 37.g3 1-36 L Basora Pascual- G. Flear
37.!!xe5 !!d1t. Port Barcares 2010
37...ixe7 38.!!xe5 if6
... and Black has a winning position. 29 ... ltJe5t!
39..!ha5 !!d3 40.!!b5 !!xb3 41.a5 ic3 42.a6 A far from evident way of forcing mate.
!!a3 43.:§b6 b3 44.a7 b2 0-1 In the game, I took longer to win: 29 ... 4Je7
30.ixf7 !!h4t 31.~3 :§f4t (more precise
1-34 J. Marciano - G. Flear was 31.. .~f4t! 32.~e2 ~xe4t 33 .~d2 :§h2t
Lattes 2009 34 .~cl ~f4 t 35. ~ bl ~f2) 32.~e3 ~f2t
33 .~ d3 :§f3t 34.~c4 ~xb2! and the mating
24...ixf2t! threats were too strong. 0-1
The weakness of White's first rank is more 30.dxe5 dxe5 31.'?Nfl :§g3t! 32.:§xg3 '?NhS#
important than his threat of mate!
25.~hl
After 25.l:hf2 !!xcl t 26.ixcl 4Jf6 Black has
two threats: The queen as well as ...!!dl t .
25 ... 526.'i9xg7t?
26.!!xc8 (the most robust) 26 ...!!xc8
27.Wg6 (there aren't any better squares for the
queen) 27 ... ltJf4 28.~xg7t ~xg7 29.ixg7
~ xg7 30.l:hf2 !!clt 31.4Jgl e5 and, with
the pin along the first rank, White has great
difficulties.
Othetwise, 26.~g6 is well met by 26 ... 4Jf4
which transposes if 27.!!xc8.
26...'i9xg7 27.i.xg7 ~c128.:§xc1 ~g7
And White had lost a piece.
0-1
•
Chapter T""D
Pins, forks, skewers, dou ble checks

and discovered checks.
In this chapter, I will be asking you to make use of the most common tactical themes in solving
the puzzles. Hopefully, you should then gain confidence in exploiting opportunities using these
standard tactical ideas in your own games.
Before you turn the page in order to start solving, here are some definitions to help you get to grips
with the most widely employed tactical terms in chess literature.
• A check: An immediate attack on the opposing king.
• A pin: A piece or a pawn is immobilized because it shields an attack against a

valuable unit or key square.
• A fork: Two or more pieces (or pawns) are simultaneously attacked by the same
piece (or pawn).
• A skewer: A threat against a piece, which can move, bur only at the cost of
enabling a further threat against a more distant piece along the same rank or file .
• A discovered attack: A piece (or a pawn) makes a move thus enabling an

attack from another piece that was otherwise hidden.
• A discovered check: A specific case of a discovered attack, but against the king.
• Double check: This combines giving a check, from one unit, with a discovered
check from a second piece.
• X-ray attack: An indirect attack from a distant piece.
These themes should become easier to understand when applied to some specific examples .
~
Tactics for Tyros
We'll start with a pin.

G. Flear - J. Sugden
London 1985
8 Black played ...

7 44•..'&e81
... which pins the white queen. The
6
endgame should then be a comfortable win
5 for Black ...
4 45.'&c6 h4 46.Wa5
3 Unpinning, but White has lost valuable
time.
2 46 .•.'&d8t
• a b c d e f g h
0-1
If 47.\t>xa6 h3 48.~b7 \t>g8!, the pawn
cannot be held back as 49:*%1 loses to
49 ... ~a8t 50.\t>b6 ~b8t, when White has
to move his king and thus loses the queen .
This last tactical point illustrates a skewer.
V. Hott - G. Flear
Metz 1984
8
7 White has a dominant position and finished
6 off the game with...
35J"k711-O
5
I resigned because of a deadly fork ...
4 35 ...'&xc736.liJfe8t
3 Then .. .
36.• J~xe8
2
... doesn't help as White forks again with ...
0 37. tiJxe8t
a b c d e f g h ... which attacks both the king and queen at
the same time.
•
Glenn F1ear Tactimania
R. Seppeur - G. Flear
German League 1983
Black won material with ...

33...be4! 34Jh.e4 f5!
A fork of the rook and bishop by the
f-pawn, with a pin of the e-pawn along the
8 e-file. The point being that 35.exf6 fails to
7 35 .. Jhe4.
6 35~xf5 gxf5 36.~xf5 EUB
White has problems due to his material
5
deficit.
4 37.Wtg4 i.e7 38.d5 !'U'l 39.Wg3 Wtf8 40.d6
3 cxd6 41.~ed4 ~xa2 42.exd6 i.f6 43.~d5
2 ~e244.d7 ~xd7!
This sacrifice deflects the white rook from
• abc d e f g h
its defence of the e5-square. See Chapter
Three for more examples of this theme.
45.~xd7 i.e5
A pin rather than a skewer, but in any case
it proves to be decisive!
46.~d8
The tame finish was 46.'<!tfxe5t? ~xe5 O-l.
46...i.xg3t 47,cJ;>xg3 ~e8
Unpinning and winning!
L Roos - G. Flear
Paris 2007
36lilxf5 Wtxf5 37.tilg6t!

A discovered attack against the black
queen. Note the skewer along the f-file, which
works because the black rook is insufficiently
defended.
37... hxg6
37 ... Wxg6 isn't great either after 38.Wxf7.
38.Wtxf7
This capture follows on from an X-ray
o attack. The white queen is able to get away
with capturing on f7 because it is defended
abc d e f g h
by the rook on fl .
38 ...~e4 39.Wf4 Wte6 4O.~h4t Wg8
41.~el ~d7 42~e7 Wtxe7 43.~xe7 Wf8
44.~71-0
Na~ LjDU kna~ ~hat LjDU are laakinq far.

Sa•••readLj. stead... qat
•
2-1 E. Kieser - G. Flear 30.ghS 1:!g4 31.0 ga4 32.b4 ga2 33.1:!h5
Lugano 1984 ge2 34.ie1lbe4 0-1
21 ... c5! 2-4 M. Santo-Roman - G. Flear

The rook is attacked and doesn't have any Lille 1985
good squares, largely due to the skewer on the
c3-knight. The d-pawn is pinned. 32.. Jhf5!
22.!hb2 Black snatches an important pawn.
Alternatively, 22.dxc6 ~xd4 and 22.1:!dl 33.§'e6
~xc3 are also hopeless. Rather than 33.gxf5? ttJxf5t 34.~g4
22... cxd4 23.~e4 ~eS 24.§'xb6 ixfl ttJ xh6t .
25.i.xd4 ia6 26.ixg7t <Jag7 27.§'d4t 33... lbe4t 34.Q;>h4 gxf4
Q;>gS 2S.d6 ~d to-I Another one bites the dust!
35.§'eSt Q;>g7 36.§'xb7 lbe7 37.§'xe7 gf7
2-2 G. Flear - H. Grooten 3S.§'e5t lbf6 39.Q;>g3
Copenhagen 1983 39.g5?? lLl g6t.
39... lbg6 40.~d4 'itgS 41.~b4lbe4t 42.Q;>h3
22.. .i.e2! gOt 43.'itg2 1:!ilt 44.Q;>gl lbh4 45.§'bSt
Forking the queen and rook. White cannot Q;>f7 46.~xa7t Q;>f6 47.§'b6t Q;>g5 4S.§'dSt
capture the bishop due to mate on h2. ~4 49.§'gSt Q;>f4 5O.§'fSt lbf5 51.c3 Q;>e3
23.§'d7 52.b4 Q;>e2 53.§'aSlbe3
23.ttJxe2 Wxh2#. With a mating net.
23 ...,ixfl24.§'xd6 gel! 25.lbxfl ~e40-1 0- 1
The minor pieces are pinned and White is
faced with heavy losses. 2-5 G. Flear - J.Y. Soyer
Champigny 1984
2-3 F. Samara - G. Flear
Clermont-Ferrand 1985 22.§'e6t Q;>hS 23.§'xe6!
White wins a piece with a 'discovered attack'.
One had to find the best fork! 23 ...§'xe6 24.1:!xdSt ixdS 25.i.xe6 1- 0
25 ... ixd5
If 25 ... c6?, then plausible is 26.~f3!? when 2-6 G. Flear - M. Fierro Baquero
White uses a pin to avoid any problems, for Wroxham 2002
example after 26 ...cxb5 then 27.~xb7.
However, even stronger is 26.~xf7! with 26.gxg6t!
some advantage. Winning material due to some neat tactics.
26.1:!xd5 Q;>e6! 26 ... Q;>fS
Also possible is 26 ... ~e6. Or 26 ... fxg6 27.lLlf6t with a decisive fork.
27.!he5 27.ggSt! Q;>e7
Or 27.c4 ttJxc4 28.ttJc3 1:!g4 29.g3 1:!d4, If 27 ... ~xg8, White still has 28.lLlf6t.
when White has little hope. 2S.gxdS Q;>xdS 29.§'xd5t lbxd5 30.lbxe5
27... lbxb5 2S.1:!xh5 lbd6 29.Q;>fl Q;>d7 White will surely win the endgame .
•
~
Tactics for Tyros
2-7 2-10
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
2-8 2-11
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
0 0
2-9 2-12
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0
•
2-7 E. Prie - C. Flear 2-10 S. Cullip - G. Flear

Narbonne-plage 2002 Leicester 1988
Black should use a pin along the long diagonal 47.. ..ie3!
in order to win a pawn. Threatening both rooks.
42... f5! 48.gel
With an advantage that borders on the Or 48.fxe3 'lWxe3t 49.Wg2 'lWxcl.
decisive. 48...i.xf2t 49.gxf2 ~xel t 50.~g2 ge2
In the game, Black continued with the 51.gxe2 ~xe2t 52.~gl ~e5 53.~g2 lbd6
inferior 42 ... h5? 43.Wg3 'lWc8 44.Wh2 'lWc6 54.~d8 lbf5 55.~d7t ~b6 56.~d8t ~c5
45.Wg3 'lWc8 46.Wh2 and the game ended in 57.~fBt ~d4 0-1
a draw.
2-11 G. Flear - J. Van Mil
2-8 T. Upton - G. Flear Ostend 1988
London 1982
21.~xb5!
30Jhd6t! gxd6 31.gxd6t ~xd6 32.i.f4t A neat pseudo-sacrifice that wins a pawn for
A skewer that wins immediately. starters, with more in the offing.
1-0 21 ...dxe5
If 21.. .cxb5 then 22.'lWxc8 t, whereas after
2-9 G. Flear - E. Grassi 2l...d5 22.~xd5! ttJa6 23.~d6 the pins would
Pau 1988 cause further damage!
22.lbd6 gfB 23.~c4t ~h8 24.lbf7t gxf7
13.lbxa5! gxa5 14.b4 Naturally if 24 ...Wg8, White mates with
The fork enables White to win a pawn . 25.ttJh6t Wh8 26.'lWg8t gxg8 27.ttJf7#.
14... ga6 25.~xf7lba6 26.gd7 gg8 27.i.c4 1-0
If 14 ... ~xb4, White forks again with
15..ixb4. 2-12 C. Gervais - G. Flear
15.bxc5 Le Havre 1989
White has emerged a pawn to the good.
15 ... gc6?! 16.i.b4 e5?! 17.lbg5 g6?! 24 ... c4!
Black sheds further material. Attacking the bishop which must move, but
18..ixc6 bxc6 19.1be4 lbd5 20.i.d2 i.a6 then after. ..
21.i.h6 ~ 22.gfdl ~a5 23.gad ga8 25.i.c2
24.lbd6lbfB 25.e4lbc7 26.i.d2 1-0 ... the queen is no longer defended, so ...
25 ••. lbf4!
_.is then possible using a pin to fork. If
then ...
26.004 ~xe2 27.gel
... Black has, at the very minimum, ...
27...~xe1 t 28.lbxel d40-1
... with an exchange to the good plus the
initiative.
•
Tactics fo r Tyros
2-13 2-16
8 8
7 7
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
2-14 2-17
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
0
a b c d e f g h
• a b c d e f g h
2-15 2-18
8 8
7 7
6
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
•
2-13 G. Kourtesis - G. Flear 2-17 M. Huerga Leache - G. Flear

Athens 1989 Spanish League 2004
31. . .!hes! 30... li:lxd4! 31.gxd4 ds

The pawn is pinned. The pin along the e-file is very strong.
32.fxes ~xfl t 0-1 32.ifl
If 32.id3? then 32...c5.
2-14 G. Flear - N. McDonald 32... dxe4
Southend 2007 Black wins a pawn as Whi te cannot recapture
under reasonable circumstances.
White has a fork with ... 33.li.Je2
62.li:lest! \tig7 63.li:ld3 33.gdxe4 gxe4 34.gxe4 allows 34 ...~xc l.
... and Black loses a piece. I was then able to 33 ... e3!
ultimately convert my advantage .. . The advantage rapidly becomes decisive.
63.. J!dl 64.li:lxcs gd2 6s.gal e2 66.ge1 34.f3 cs 3s.gc4 ilB 36.li.Jg3 fS 37.c3 id6
\tig6 67.as d3 68.li:lxd3 ga2 69.gg1 ga4t 38.\tih2 ta6 39.cxb4 cxb4 40.gc2 ixfl
70.\tie3 guS 71.li:lf4t! \tif5 72.li:lxe2 ga3t 41.gxfl gS 42.gc4 iba 43.h4 e2 44.ge1
73.\tif2ga2 74.g6 ga8 7s.\tie3 ge8t 76.\tif3 gxh40-1
ga8 77.g7 gg8 78.li:lf4 \tieS 79.li:lhs \tif5
80.gg2 \tie6 81.\tif4 \tif7 82.\tigS 1-0 2-18 G. Flear - J. Ivanov
San Sebastian 2006
2-15 D. Van Heirzeele - G. Flear
Montpellier 2008 27.li.Jf7t! \tig8 28.gxe8t Le8 29.li.Jd6
The knight threatens three things at once,
28 ... li:lxb2! and consequently Black drops a pawn.
A pretty fork which destroys White's king 29 ...ic6 30.li.Jxf5 \tif7 31.f4 \tif6 32.li.Je3
defences. \tie6 33.\tif2 ibs
29.\tixb2 White is now ready for a general advance on
Or 29.l:hd7iLlxc4. the kingside.
29... gxdl 34.f5t \tid6 3s.\tif3 id3 36.\tif4 as 37.g4
The knight is of course pinned. ibl 38.a3 id3 39.gs b6 40.h4 ie4 41.hs
30.ixh6 ixc3t 0-1 h642.g6
The threat of iLl g4 followed by 5 -f6 is very
2-16 A. Mirzoev - G. Flear strong.
Elgoibar 2004 1-0
39.gg4!
A pin that wins on the spot! If 39 ... iLlxg4
simply 40 .~xg5t .
1-0
•
Tactics for To
qros
2-19 2-21
2
o 1
g h • 1
f g h
2-23
o 1
g h
•
2-19 L Goldgewicht - G. Flear 2-21 G. Flear - P. Walden

French League 1999 Exeter 1983
34.. .l'he6! 34... gh3t!

The rook is untouchable due to mate on b2. White's rook is overloaded.
3SJWxf6t 3S.~f2
35.~xe6? ~xb2#. Otherwise 35.gxh3lLlxe2t 36.~f3 lLlxcl .
3S ... ~xf6 36.gdl ~eS 3S... ltJxe2 36.~xe2 'lWxg4t 0-1
The rook ending is advantageous to Black.
37.bxa3 bxa3 38.gd3 ga6 39.~c2 d4 2-22 G. Flear - M. Gurevich
40.~d2 hS 41.h4 ~f4 42.gxd4t ~a Tel Aviv 1989
43.~el ~g3 44.ge4 ~h3 4S.~f2 gc6
46.ge3t ~xh4 47.~a3 gc2t 48.~gl gS 24... ltJe3!
49.ga4t g4 SO.gaS g3 S1.a4 ~ 0-1 A discovered attack with three threats: The
queen, the rook and mate on g2.
2-20 G. Flear - E. Tangborn 0-1
Luxembourg 1988
2-23 G. Flear - S. Buckley
43.~d6!~d6 British League 2010
Or 43 .. .~e7 44.gg6t ~h4 45.lLlxf5t lLlxf5
46.~xg4#. 34.ltJde7t!
44.gxd6 'lWxd6 4S.!iJce4t 1-0 In the game, 34 .~d4? lLlgG 35.f4 ~c5 was
far less convincing.
34... ~h8 3S.'lWd4
Attacking both knights .
•
~
Tactics for Tyros
2-24 2-26
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
2-2S 2-27
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4
3 3
2
0 0
•
2-24 A. Stubbe - G. Flear 2-26 G. Flear - S. Walker

Narbonne-plage 2010 Hastings 1986
22 •.. ltld3 20.E!xh7t!

Simplest. Exposing the king to a fatal double check.
23."1WO '!Wxe4! 24.'!Wxe4 ltlxf2t 25.~gl ltlxe4 20 .•• <l>xh721.ltlf6t
0-1 A double check always requires a king
move in reply.
2-25 G. Flear- H. Kunas 21...<l>h822.'!WgS!
Montpellier 1985 Mate is imminent.
22••.'!Wxf6
35..ixg6! There is no defence with 22 ... gxf6
The h-pawn is, in effect, pinned! 23.~h6t ~g8 24.~h7#, nor by 22 .. J'hg4t
35.. J~c7 23 .'~hg4 gxf6 24.~h5t ct>g8 25.'.Wh7#.
Not 35 ... hxg6? due to 36.1Mfh3t <J?g8 23.exf61-O
37.1Mfh7#. And again!
36Jhc7 '!Wxc7 37.~e4
Now, with a damaged kingside, Black cannot 2-27 G. Flear - K. Arkell
resist indefinitely. Hastings 1986
37•.. b6 38.~d5 '!Wd8 39.h4 E!e8 40.'!Wf5 '!We7
41.b5 '!Wg7 42.~h2! 19.1tlh5!
A golden rule when the opponent can only A double pin!
wait is to...take your time! 19... ltlxd5
42...'!We7 43.<l>h3 '!Wg7 44.g3 '!We7 45.a3 If 19 ... liJxh5 then 20.Vffxe7.
'!Wg7 46.ltld4 '!We7 47.ltle6 E!b8 48.g4 E!g8 20.'!Wxe7 ltlxe7 21.ltlf6t <l>g7 22.ltld7
49.g5 fxgS 50.hxg5 E!g6 51.'!We41-0 Fork!
The check on d4 next move is devastating. 22 ... E!xb5 23.axb5 E!d8 24.bxa6 E!xd7
25.E!h3 ltlc6 26.E!b3 <l>f6 27.E!b6 ltld4
28.E!d3 1-0
The a-pawn will decide matters .
•
Tactics for Tyros
2-28 2-29
8
7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3
2 2
• 1
a b c d e f g h
o 1~~==~==~__~
abc d e f g h
•
, Glenn Flear Tactimania
2-28 R. Vaganian - G. Flear in handling the coordination of one's forces in

London 1986 general, as well as its evident practical value.
So I suggest that you make an effort to do the
20...bS! same.
Suddenly, it becomes evident that the white This result is in fact my best ever performance
rooks are badly placed. The rook on c2, for (so far!) as my opponent was rated fourth in
instance, can neither move nor be defended, so the world at the time.
White is faced with a loss of material!
21.e4 b4 22.ll)xdSt 2-29 G. Flear - K.H. Podzielny
Following 22.e5!? i.xe5! 23.dxe5 bxc3 Le Touquet 1987
24.!!xc3 tLJxe5 25 .i.e2 !!xc3 26.!!xc3 tLJc4
Black has a clear extra pawn, but with White 21.liJxcS!
having two bishops for two knights he would Exploiting an apparent vulnerability along
have practical chances to hold the game. the a 1-h8 diagonal. For the record, note that
22 •.. exdS 23.!!xc7 !!xc7 24.eS !!xcI t 21.i.xh5 i.xh5 22.tLJxd6! ~xd6 23.!!xe5 Wixe5
2s.ixcI ib8 26.ixdS 24.i.c3 is similar.
There are significant problems in trying to 21..J'!g8
press home the advantage. This is due to the If 21 ... dxc5, then White continues with
fact that White has a couple of pawns, the 22.i.xh5 !!f5 (if22 ... i.xh5 then 23.!!xe5 ~xe5
centre and a bishop pair, which represent 24.i.c3) 23.i.g4 !!g5 24.i.xf4 !!xg425.i.xe5t
partial compensation for the piece. and thus obtains two extra pawns.
26 .••ia7 27.ie3ltlc7 28.ic4ltlb6 29.ib3 22.io ig6 23.~xhS hhS 24.ixf4
ltlbdS 30.cbe2 ltlxe3 31.fxe3 liJe6 32.M Here again White picks off a couple of pawns
g6 33.cbd3 ltlg7 34.aS liJ5 3s.ic4 ib8! and even has the safer king.
36.hS ic7 37.hxg6 hxg6 38.ixa6 haS 24•. J'!af8 2S.ixeSt dxeS 26.Wlc3~0 27.g3
39.dS ib6 40.d6t cbfB 41.e4ltlM 42.cbc4 !U5 28.liJd3 ixdS 29.!!xeS !!xeS 30.liJxeS
ltlo 43.cbxb4 iM 44.e6 fxe6 4S.b3 ltlxgS Wlf6 31.gdl ixa2 32.gd6! Wlg7
46.cbbS ltlxe4 47.cbc6 ieS 48.ic4 ~xd6 32 ... ~xd6 33.tLJf7#.
49.id3ltlcS SO.~xg6 cbe7 33.gd71-0
Black only has one pawn remaining, but it's
sufficient.
S1.b4 liJd7 s2.cbbS ig3 S3.~e4 i£2
s4.cbc6ltlb6 SS.bS iM S6.ic2 eS s7.ibl
cbf6 s8.cbd6
White can only temporize while Black
gradually makes progress.
S8 ... ~g5 s9.cbe6 cbf4 6o.ic2 e4 61.idl
ic50-1
Evidently, in order to convert this advantage
it is necessary to know the winning technique
in the pawnless endgame of Bishop and Knight
against bare king. In fact I insist that my
students learn it because it is an ideal exercise
•
•
2-30 G. Flear - M. Pein pin 32.f4 sd5 33.c4!) 32.c3 fxe4 33.cxd4 exf3!
Metz 1984 34.Sxe5 dxe5 35.dxe5 Sxe5 and Black has an
extra pawn, but this may not be enough to
27...tva6! win.
In the game, my opponent blundered with 31...dxc3 32J'~k2 fxe4 33.!he4 !he4 34.fxe4
27 ... fxg3? 28.ltJxb6 gxh2t 29.~xh2 axb6 !he4 35J'hc3 c5 36J3d3 se6
30J~~!cl b5 31.a4 which enabled me to win a Or 36 ... sb4.
few moves later. 37.~g2 ~f7 38.b4 ~e7 39.a5 bxa540.bxa5
28.~xc5 ~b6 Se2t 41.~8 sal 42.Se3t ~d7 43.~e4
White's attack is stopped in its tracks by the Sxa5 44.~f5 c4t 45.~g6 SgSt 46.~f7 d5
pin, and so Black has a winning position. 47.Se7t ~d6 48.Se8 d4 49.sd8t ~c5 0-1
29.~hl
Just as bad is 29 .~xg6t ~xg6 30Jhg6t 2-33 M. Hofmann - G. Flear
~xg6. Balatonbereny 1983
29 ...fxg3-+
14... ~xe3!
2-31 G. Flear - S. Smetankin A mini-combination which wins a pawn.
Hastings 200112 15.~xe3 exM
Forking!
22.~el! 16.~d2 dxc3 17.ixc3
The pin has a paralysing effect. After 22.~e2 Black now has to be careful about possible
Black can free himself with 22 .. ..ic4. counter play.
22 .. J3a7 17 ...~e7 18.~M ~xd419.ixd4 b6 20.Sfel
Alternatives are no better: 22 ... b4 23.lZla4 ixMt 21.~xMt ~g7 22.~d2!
and lZlc5, 22 ... .if7? 23.Sxe8 or finally 22 ... ~d7 If 22.~xg7t ~xg7 23 .~e 7t, Black has
23.lZle5 ~d6 24.lZld3 and White steps up the 23 ... sf7.
pressure. 22... sfe8 23.b4axb4 24.axb4 !hel t 25.!he1
23.Se5 Sae7 24.~e4 ~c7 25.~c5 ~c8 Se8 26.sdl ie6 27.Sc1 ~f6
26.ltlh4! Eventually I won due to the extra pawn.
Black soon loses material.
1-0 2-34 Y. Collin - G. Flear
Metz 1984
2-32 M. Devereaux - G. Flear
British League 2003 38 ... c5!
Enabling Black to take possession of the d4-
29 ... 5! 30.8 Se5! square.
The impatient 30 ... d5? is premature because 39.sb3?
of31.e5. The best chance was 39.~g3! although after
31.c3!? 39 ... cxd4 40.~c8lZld8! White would still have
Instead, 31.~g2? loses a pawn without a great difficulties.
fight after 31...d5. Otherwise, 39.dxc5 d4 and 39.lZl xc5 .ixc5
On the other hand, 31.~d I! is more robust: 40.dxc5 d4 dearly favour Black.
3l...c5 (after 31...fxe4 White is saved by the 39... cxd40-1
•
~
Tactics for Tyros
2-35 2-38
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4
3 3
2 2
0
2-36 2-39
8
7 7
6 6
5
4 4
3
2
0 0
2-37
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
• a b c d e f g h
•
2-35 G. Flear - G. Hjorth 32... ~a3 33.~d4 ~xd4t 34.~xd4 ~g7

Heraklion 1984 Whereupon the endgame with a couple of
passed pawns should be winning for Black.
28.~cxd6!
Destroying Black's defences. 2-38 G. Flear - E. Shvidler
28 ... ~xd6 29.i.xe5 Tel Aviv 1989
Both a pin and a fork!
29 ...i.xg4 30.gh2 32... ga7!
Here 30.fxg4 lLlxe4 31 .Wxb4 lLlxc5 is A discovered attack which wins on the spot.
less clear, although after 32.d6! (32.Wxc5 ? 33.~xe6
gc8) 32 .. .l!c8 33.i>b 1 White is still much Or 33 .!!xa7 Wxe8.
better. 33...gxalt
30... ~xb5 31.axb5 gfl 32JWxb4 ge7 Intermediate moves, such as this one, are
33.~a8 ~xa8 34.~bl i.e8 35.d6 gd7 sometimes referred to by the German word
36.i.e4t ~h7 37.gd2 i.f6 38.gg2 i.g5 Zwischenzug.
39.~c3 gg7 4O.i.d5 ~a4 41.~b3 1-0 34.~h2 gxe6 0-1
2-36 G. Flear - J. Norgaard 2-39 G. Flear - G. Reehlis

Copenhagen 1983 Tel Aviv 1989
21.~xf7! ~xf7 22.gd6 ~d8 23.gel ~g8 23.lLlxg6t!

24.gexe6 ~xe6 25.~xe6t A strong pin.
With an extra pawn and a superior position. The game continuation, 23.lLlxc8 Wxc8
1--0 24.id e4 25.ixc5 lLlxc5 26.gacl, would
only have been slightly better for White if my
2-37 G. Flear - R. Polaezek opponent had then continued with 26 ... exf3!
Brussels 1987 27.b4 fxg2 .
23... ~g8 24.~e4t 00 25.~gxe5
29 ... gh4! More pins!
A counter-attack against c4. 25 ...~e8 26.~xf7 WJxf7 27.WJxf7t ~xf7
30.~d2!? 28.i.e3
Or 30.fxgG !!xc4 31.gxh7t i>xh7 , and, White has a winning advantage.
with the queen pinned, White can't do any
damage.
30 ... gxh2t 31.~d3 ga2!
In the game, Black lost the thread: 31 ... Wb6?
32.!!gl !!h3 33.i>e4 Wb8? (33 ... gh4t 34.i>f3
!!h3t=) 34.Wf6! Wb3 35 .We6t i> f8 36.Wc8t
We7 37.f6t! i>xf6 38.Wf8#.
32.~e4
Hopeless is 32.fxgG !!xa3 33.gxh7t Wxh7
due to the fatal pin on White's queen .
•
•
Glenn Hear Tactimania
2-40 J. Emms - G. Flear Material is only equal, but White's pawn

Southend 2009 structure is so superior it's almost as if he is
a pawn up. Note in particular the sorry pawn
12.~xg5! on h5 .
A sacrifice that enables White to maintain 17... geS lS.0-O-O i.g7 19.9hfl i.f6 20.i.g3
strong pressure along the h4-d8 diagonal. i.g5t 21.ebb1 f6 22.~B ~xf5 23.i.xf5t
12... hxg5 13.i.xgS ebg7 14.~B ~bS ebdS 24.h4 i.e3 25.i.e6 ghfB 26.M i.cs
15.~Bt 27.gd3i.h6 2S.gB i.g7 29.gxh5 h6 30.gB
Instead 15.i.xe6?! is less convincing, for ebe7 31.i.xc8 gxc8 32.i.xc7!
example 15 ...i.xe3 16.\Wxe3 fxe6 17.i.h6t A nifty fork!
g;f7 and Black escapes. 32... ebd7
15...i.xf5 16.~xf5 ~bd717.h4! 32 ... gxc733.d6t.
Black's pieces are paralysed by the pin. 33.d6 geeS 34.ebc2 ge4 35.ebb3 gO 36.g3
17.. J!gS lS.gh3 ~e7 19.9B ebhS 20.ebe2 gfB 37.a4 ge2 3S.a5 1-0
Alternatively 20.\Wxf6t lZlxf6 21.i.xf6t \Wxf6
22.gxf6 gxg2 23 .g;e2 with a clear advantage. 2-42 G. Flear - D. Wheeler
20 ... gg6 21.h5 gxg5 22.~xg5 ebh7 23.gg3 British League 2008
ggS 24.~Bt ebhS 25.gxgSt ebxgS 26.h6
ebhS 27.gh1 c6 29.i.e3!
If 27 ... lZlc5, White has 28.gh3 lZlxb3 The most precise.
29.\Wg5. 29... ~dcS 30.~xd7 ~xd7 31.i.f5
2S.gh3i.b6 White nets at least a piece.
No better is 28 ... d5 29.gg3. 31. .. gdS
29.gg3 i.dS 30.gg7 If 31...lZlcb6, simply 32.i.xb6.
The continuing pressure is just too strong. 32.i.g5t ebd6 33.LdS 1-0
30... d5 31.exd5 ~c5 32.dxc6 ~xb3 33.axb3
bxc6 34.g4 e4 35.d4 e3 36.fxe3 ~d6 37.gS 2-43 G. Flear - R. Calvin
~h2t 3S. ebd3 Lattes 2009
Even better is 38.\wf2!.
3S... ~h1 21.i.xf6!
If38 .. .\Wxb2 then 39.\Wf1! should see White White offers his queen in order to set in
home. motion an attack against Black's king.
39.ebc2 ~e4t 4O.~xe4 ~xe4 41.gxf7 Lg5 21...gd5
42.ebd3 1-0 21.. .lZlxf610ses to 22.\Wxf6.
22.gd5t
2-41 G. Flear - S. Fruteau A discovered check.
Hastings 2007/8 22_. ebh7 23.gg7t ebhS 24.~xf'7t gxf7
25.gxf7t
14.~xh5! A further discovered check!
A blow that damages Black's structure. White 25_.eb gS 26.gg7t ebfB 27.gdg1
regains the queen with the following fork. Also good is 27.i.h5.
14... gxh5 15.~f6t ebdS 16.~xd7 ebxd7 27...~xf6 2S.~c7 1-0
17.Lf4 With a winning position .
•
~
Tactics for Tyros
2-44 2-47
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
0
2-45 2-48
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
2-46
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
• a b c d e f g h
•
2-44 G. Flear - J. Teeuwen ltlxd6 29.i3xd6 ltlc3 30.i.c2 Wle7 31.i3d3

Guernsey 1989 b4!
Better than capturing the e-pawn.
17lilg6! 32.Wlf4 i.e5 33.Wld2 Wlxh4 34.ltlc5 i.f4
White has a prosaic alternative which also 35.Wlel Wlg5 36.i.b3 Wlxc5 0---1
wins: 17.Wic2 ttlxe5 18.dxe5 a5 (18 .. .'~xe5
19.i b4) 19 .~xe4 ttl f6 20.~d4. 2-47 N. Dobrev - G. Flear
17.Jilxc7 Marseille 2004
Otherwise 17. ..~f6 18.~g3 would allow
White to win the exchange, as the f-pawn is 29 .• J~2f6!
pinned. Correctly avoiding any simplification that
IS.ltlxe7t IDh7 19.i3ac1 ltle6 would just help White to unpin. After this
After 19 ... ttla6 20. ttlxc8 gaxc8 21.i d5 quiet retreat the pressure along the cl-h6
Black loses a pawn. diagonal is just too strong.
20.ltlxcS i3axcS 21.i.d5 30.ltlc4
A pawn is lost and this is only the beginning, as If instead 30.gde2 ge8 31.ig2 ig4, White
Black is already on the slippery slope to defeat. loses too much material.
21. .. ltlf6 22i.xb7 i3bS 23.i.c6 i3fdS 24.i.b4 Otherwise if 30.g4 ge6 31.g5 gxe4 32.gxh6
ltld5 25.i.xd5 i3xd5 26.i3c6 i3bdS 27.i3ec1 gfe8 (another pin!) 33.gd3 gxh4 34.gfl ie6
i3Sd72S.IDfl ltldS 29.i36c5 ltle6 30.i3xd5 White will lose a second pawn.
i3xd5 31.i3c6 h5 32.i.c5 a6 33.b4 1-0 3O...i.e6 31.ltle3 i.d7 32.ltlc4 i3fl 33.i3xf1
i3xf1 t 34.IDc2 hdl 35.IDxdl i3g1 36.ltld6
2-45 G. Flear - C. Vernay i3xg3 37.ltlxb7 i3g4 3S.IDe3 i3xh4 39.a4
Guingamp 2008 IDg7 40.b4 <;!;>f6 41.ltla5 i3h3t 0-1
21. .. ltled5! 2-48 G. Flear - M. Bissieres

In the game, my opponent played the Avignon 2005
inferior 21...gc8??, and then after 22.gacl i b8
23.Wie2 Wic7 24.g3 I obtained some advantage 14.ltlc6!
due to the bishop pair. The possibility of a check on d5 enables
22.i3ac1 ltlxc3 23.i3xdS i3xdS 24.hc3 i3cs White to net an important central pawn.
The pin should then be decisive. 14 ... i.xc6 15.i3xc6 IDh7
1f15 ... gxc6, then 16.ixd5t; whilst following
2-46 D. Tan - G. Flear 15 ... ttlf8 16.gxf6 gxf6 17 .~cl \1?g7 18 .'~c6,
British League 2004 White also picks off a pawn.
16.hd5ltlfB 17.Wlb3
23••. ltld5! Rather than 17.gxf6 ~xd5, which would
Using a pin along the e-file in order to hunt give Black some hope.
down the b-pawn. 17... i3xc6 IS.i.xc6 i3cs 19.Wlf7 Wlg5 20.f4
24.i3dH! ltlxb4?! Wlg6 21.Wlxg6t IDxg6 22.i3c1 !:!ds 23.e3
Even stronger here is 24 ... ttle5! 25 .'~e2 ltle6 24.b4 a5 25.bxa5 bxa5 26.i.a4 i3d6
ttlc3. 27.i.b31-O
25.i.bl Wla7 26.h4 h5 27.i.f4ltla2 2S.i.xd6
•
~
Tactics for Tyros
249 2-51
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0
2-50 2-52
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
0 0
•
2-49 G. Flear - P. Rooney 36".YNg5 37.id2 YNf6 38.gxa6 gd8 39.ig5!

Leicester 1988 1-0
24.e4! 2-51 L Ravi - G. Flear

Although the alternative line 24.4:Jxe6 Wfxe6 Marseille 2006
25.:l'h f5 l:hf5 26J:hf5 Wfg6 wins a pawn, the
presence of opposite-coloured bishops would 27".lLlxf2!!
give Black drawing chances. A surprise!
24".dxe4 25.d5! e3 28.~xf2ixc5 29.ge4
After 25 ... i xd5 26.E!d1 the pin along the After 29.dxc5, the point behind Black's 27th
d-file would give Black a hard time. move becomes clear: 29 ...~xf3t! 30 .~xf3
26.dxe6! 4:Jd4t with a fork, but this isn't the end of the
A strong fork. story, by any means. Going further, the best
26".exf2t 27.ihf2 YNd4 28.exf7 YNxe5 continuation 31. ~f4! 4:Jxb3 32.gad 1 4:Jxd2
29.ge2 YNd4t 30.<"bh2 YNf6 3I.YNxfS YNxfS 33.E!xd2 i e6 34.if5 E!aeB would then leave
32.ixfS ~f7 33.ge8t ru8 34.~f8t ixfS Black with an extra pawn and decent winning
35.id7 a6 36.ic8 1-0 chances in the double-rook endgame.
29".ib6 30.ie3lLlc7 31.g4 YNd5
2-50 G. Flear - J. Gallagher The complications after 31 ...i xg4 32.ge5
Hastings 19B9 seem less clear.
32.YNc2 YNd8 33.h5 lLld5 34.gS lLlxe3
28.gf5!! gxfS 35.~xe3 hxgS 36.gg1 ge8 37.gxgS ixd4t!
After 2B .. .4:Je7 29 .ixg4 tLlxf5 30.ixf5 E!xf5 38.~e2 if6 39.gg1 if5 0-1
31.exf5 , White emerges with an extra pawn as
31 ...Wfxf5 is well met by 32.4:Jxd6. 2-52 G. Flear - T. Rendle
29.ixg4 British League 2009
A pin and a fork all in one!
29".lLlhf4t 15.lLlxd5! cxd5 16.gc7
The resource 29 ...i xd5!? is interesting, with White has a strong initiative for the piece.
the idea of 30.cxd5?! ~xb5 31 .ixf5 ~xd3! 16."ic8 17.YNb3 gd6 18.gfc1 YNf8
32 .~xd3 4:Jhf4 t 33.gxf4 4:Jxf4 t 34 .~f3 4:Jxd3. After 1B .. .~ eB, I like the pin 19.ib5!
White should instead reply with 30.exd5! (plausible IS the alternative 19 .ixe4!?
tLlhf4t 31.~h1! winning material in all lines. fXe4 20.E!lc6; however I'm less keen on
30.lLlxf4lLlxf4t 3I.~hl! 19 .~c2? because of 19 .. .4:Jxe5 20.E!xcB E!xcB
But not 31.gxf4, as Black would then wriggle 21.~xc8 E!dB) 19 ...~dB 20.4:Jc6 (simpler
out with 31...E!g5!. than 20.~c2 4:Jxe5 21.dxe5 i d7) 20 ...~fB
31...lLlxd5 32.exd5 gf2 33.YNxf2 YNxg4 21. 4:Jxa7 etc.
34.lLlxd6 ru8 35.YNg2 ia6 19.YNc2ll:lxe5 20.dxe5 gd8 2I.YNc6lLlc5
A last throw of the dice, but White isn't If 2l...E!b8, then 22.e6 with the threat of
obliged to capture the bishop immediately. e6-e7.
36.h3! 22.YNxa8 .L6 23.YNxa7 ixd3 24.YNxb6 ll:le4
Rather than 36.E!xa6? ~d1 t 37.~gl ~f3t 25.gc8 ~ 26.YNc6 1-0
3B .~g2 ~d1 t .
•
Deviation
In this chapter, I will be asking you to focus on ways to destabilize the opponent's
defences in order to make significant progress. This will generally involve using tactics
to disorganize the opponent, such as by overloading or deflecting a piece, or perhaps
by 'cutting the communication' between defenders.
Here are some explanations for the various terms that appear in this chapter.
• Deviation or deHection: When a defensive piece is obliged to move

away from an important preventative role.
• The decoy: A piece or a pawn that is used, often as a distant sacrifice, to
deviate a defensive piece from a key task.
• Cutting the communication: A move that in terposes and,
by consequence, interferes with the coordination of the enemy's pieces.
• Overloaded: When a piece has too many simultaneous tasks to
accomplish.
•
Here are some examples:
B. Placines - G. Flear
Le Touquet 1988
8
7
6 Black finished off the opponent with ...
5 25 ... gdlt
... a deviation, as ...
4
26.gxdl
3
.. .Ioses to.. .
2 26 .. :~xc3
• a b c d e f g h
G. Flear - S. Rouchouse
French League 2004
8
7 In this position White can take the sting
out of Black's counterattack with ...
6
27.gd5!
5
This move (proposed by Alexei Shirov) cuts
4 the communication between the black rooks
3 after which White should be able to cash in
2 the material advantage without too much
trouble.
0 I didn't find this decisive move.
a b c d e f g h
This chapter isn't particularly long, but the exercises can be quite tricky. In several cases the player
concerned did not find the decisive move.
Can ~au do
better?
•
Exercises
3-1 3-4
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0
3-2 3-5
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
0
3-3 3-6
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0 0
•
3-1 G. Flear - E. Prie 3-4 V. Ayral- G. Flear

St Affrique 2007 St Chely d'Aubrac 2001
45.c8=W! 18...!!dlt!
The pawn is used to 'chase away' the black An incisive deviation!
queen . 19..ifl
45 ...Wxc846.Wxe7t If 19.f!xd1 then 19 ...vtrxc4.
The more precise 46.e6t actually leads to a 19M.Wxc4 20.fhc4 !hal
forced mate. Black has won material and the attack
46 ... Wg8 47.e6 WfB 48.Wd7 continues unabated.
The e-pawn will soon be able to promote. 21.!!xb4 ih3 22.ftjd2 !!d8 ... 0-1
1-0
3-5 J. Benito Imaz - G. Flear
3-2 G. Flear - A. Domont Basque League 2002
Geneva 1986
29 ... gelt!
22ia4! This should be becoming familiar by now!
Black's queen is deflected from its defence of 30.gxel Wxb6 0-1
the f6-square.
22...Wxa4 3-6 G. Flear - G. Wall
Instead 22 ...vtrb6 allows 23.ixd7. Torquay 2002
23.if61-O
Mate follows . 33.gbl!
The queen is attacked and is thus deviated,
either from the defence of g7 or the back
3-3 G. Miralles - G. Flear rank.
Clichy 1986 33...Wxbl
If 33 ...vtrf6, then 34.f!b8t f!f8 35.f!xg7t
37.ftje8t! and mates.
The rook is deviated from its defence of the 34.gxg7t fhg7 35.Wxg7#
b7-square.
Then, once the rook has moved...
37...!he8 38.!!xb7
...Black loses his queen. White is then able to
take advantage of Black's loose defences.
38... !!e7 39.!!xc7 fhc7 40. We6
Threatening a fork on e5.
40... Wh7 41.dxe5 !!e4 42.Wf6 !!g7 43.e6
Black has managed to defend the first wave,
but can't do very much while White destroys
his kingside.
43 ... c544.h4Wg845.Wfl Wh8 46.h5! gxh5
47.g61-0
Mate is inevitable.
•
D eviate to D ominate
3-7 3-9
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
3-8 3-10
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
0 0
•
•
•
3-7 N. Curto - G. Flear 3-9 I. Radziewicz - C. Flear

Marseille 2005 Le Havre 2000
19... ltlxbS! 22 ... ltleS!

The bishop is lured away from the kingside. The most efficient.
20.ixbSltlM 23.gxeS
The threats against g2 and f3 create problems The rook is deflected from the g3-square,
for the defence. and so ...
21.ifl 23 ... ~g3! 24.ie4?
After 21.ig3 ~xd2 22.~xd2 cxb5 23.ixh4 The best defence was 24.fxg3 Wlxg3t 25. ~fl
Wlh6 the losses are too heavy. ~xe5 26.if2, when Black has a significant, if
21 ... ltlOt 22~hlltlxd2 23.~xd2 not winning advantage following 26 ... Wlf4
Black has a clear advantage, but has to stay 27.~d1 ~ae8.
vigilant. As the vulnerability of his king is a 24... ltle2#
concern, it's a prudent choice to aim for a more
comfortable life by giving back some material 3-10 G. Flear - M. Yeo
to eliminate White's main trump, the strong British League 2005
bishop on d6.
23 ... ge6 24.gedl IS.g8=Wl!
Or if 24.ic4, then 24 ... ~exd6! 25.cxd6 I like this move, which deviates bypromotion,
~xd6 26.ixf7 Wlf6 27.~xd6 Wlxd6 etc. thus enabling White to gain valuable time to
24 ... e3 2S.fxe3 gxe3 26.a4 as 27.id3 Wle6 get organized.
28.~fl It's rare that one gets to promote a pawn as
Hopeless is 28.ig3 ~dxd3 29.~xd3 ~xd3 early as the fifteenth move!
30.~xd3 Wle2. IS ... :SXg8
28 ... gel 29.gdfl gxfl t 30.hf1 f5 31.ge2 The intermediate move 15 ...i xdlt!? is
gxd6! 32.cxd6 Wfxd6 33.ge8t ~c7 0-1 possible: 16. ~xd2! (rather than 16.~ fl
~xg8 17.ixdl tLlc2 18.ixc2 ~xd2 19.if5t
3-8 G. Flear - B. Jacobs ~ b8 20.g4 ig6 21.tLlf3 ~xb2 with enough
Hastings 1984 compensation) 16... ~xg8 17 .g4 ~ge8 18.id5!
43.g4! if7! 19.ixd4 ixd5 20.cxd5 ~xd5 21.~fl!
A small move, but one that causes serious tLlxd4 22 .~ cl when White is limited to a
damage! small advantage.
43...Wfd3 16.g4 ixd2t 17.ixd2! gge8 18.0-0-0 gxe4
If 43 ... ~xg4, simply 44.Wl g2#; whereas after 19.9xhSltlf5 20.b3ltlcd4
43 .. .Wlxg4, White has 44.Wlc3t ~g2 45.Wlc2t Black has some activity, but White IS
~h3 46.~xg6. nevertheless able to keep some advantage.
44.Wff6t 21.gh2 ltlg3 22.gf'l gfS
The knight is lost. A plausible improvement is 22 ... tLlxh5, but
44 ... ~g4 4S.Wfxg6 Wfh3t 46.iMt!? White is still better after 23.f5.
Spectacular, but not really necessary. 23.h6! gf5 24.gg2 ltlde2t 2S.ltlxe2 ltlxe2t
46... ~O 26.~b2 gfS 27.gg7 gd8 28.gxh7 ltlxf4
46 ... ~x h4 47.Wl g5#. 29.ixf4! gxdl 30.gxc7t ~d8 31.h7 ge8
47.Wld3t ~g2 48.Wlxh3t ~xh3 49.if6 dS 32.gxb7 1-0
SO.a4 c4 S1.aS eS S2.ixeS d4 S3.ixd4 c3
s4.ixc3 1-0
•
Deviate to Dominate
3-11 3-13
8
7 7
6 6
5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
3-12 3-14
8 8
7 7
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
•
3-11 F. Libiszewski - C. Flear 3-13 G. Flear - S. Williams

Montpellier 2004 Southend 2009
4O •• .l!e5! 14.i!:lxB!
A modest-looking move, but one that cuts The queen is overloaded as it can't effectively
the communication between the queen and defend both of b7 and f5 at the same time.
knight. Black now takes over... 14 ...'I1;YxfS 15.'I1;Yxb7 0-0 16.~xa8i!:la6
4l.ihb6 The resource 16 .. .~xf2t is surprising, but
After 41.'Lle4 ~xe4 42.fxe4 ~xe4 , Black even so after 17.<;t.xf2 ~xd5t 18.<;t.g3 ~xa8
wins a pawn as 43Jhb610ses to 43 ...~e3t . 19 ..!%afl White's advantage is clear.
41...'I1;Yxf3! 42Jhb7~e3t 17.~xa7
There aren't any good moves left to play, e.g. Black doesn't have enough compensation
43.<;t.f1 .!%f5t or 43 . ~f2 ~xc1 t . and White was able to win soon enough.
43.~hl ~el t 44.!he1 !hel#
3-14 G. Flear - J. Payre
3-12 S. Buscara - G. Flear Narbonne-plage 2000
Cap d'Agde (rapid) 2010
2Uhh5!
26 ...ie2! A pretty deflection of the rook.
The communication is cut between the 21..Jhh5 22.i!:lxc6
queen and the rook on d 1. The threat to capture on d7 proves to be
27.ihe2i!:lOt! 28.gxf3 !hdl t 29.~g2 'I1;Yxc1 rather strong.
0-1 22 .. Jk7
From White's point of view, heavy material Neither 22 ... dxc6 23 .~d7t <;t.f8 24 .~xc8t
losses are unavoidable. nor 22 ....!%xc6 23.~xd7t <;t.f8 24.~xc6 are
playable.
23.i!:laS
The knight on a6 can't move without Black
dropping his rook.
23 ..J!hI24.!!dl ~d8 25.~xa6 ~a8 26.'I1;Yd6
~d8!
If 26 ...~b8, then strongest is 27.'Llc6!
27.e4! fxe4 28.ie2 gxdl t 29.ixdl gc8
30.ia4 ~e7 31.~e5 ~f7 32.<~b7 ~g8
33.i!:ld61-0
With a winning game for White .
•
Deviate to Dominate
3-15 3-16
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0
•
3-15 C. Flear - I. Mad! 51. .. g;,e7

Oakham 1988 Interesting is 51.. .h3!? (which liberates the
h4-square for the bishop) 52.ixh3 @e7, but
19.ih3! White can still win: 53.if1! h6 (or 53 .. .@f7
An astonishing deviation. 54.ic4t @g7 55.@d5 @f7 56.@d6t @g7
White also has an advantage after the 57.@e6 h6 58.f6t etc) 54.ic4 ih4 55.@f3
principal alternative 19.axb4!?, for example ig5 56.@g4, with Zugzwang. Black can no
19 ... fxe5 20.gfcl gad8 21.'lWb2. longer stop the f5-f6 advance, and the further
19...VNxe5! 56 ... @ffi 57.f6 will ultimately win for White
19 ... id5 is strongly met by 20.e4! and (analysis largely by Michael Massoni).
alternatively 19 ... ixh3 20. ttl d6 t is catastrophic 52.~d5 h6 53.ih3
for Black. It's already Zugzwang but, as mentioned in
20.!i:lxe5 ixb3 2Uhb3 £Xe5 22.axb4 E!ad8 the previous note, even having access to the
23.E!b2 h4-square would be insufficient for Black. In
Despite the presence of opposite-coloured fact to draw against this structure, with Black's
bishops Black has a number of problems to king on e7, the bishop should be either on g7
solve. or h8, hitting e5 whilst restraining the f5-f6
23 ... E!£6 24.E!al E!b6 25.ifl a6 26.bxa6 advance.
bxa6 27.E!xa6 E!xb4 28.E!xb4 .bb4 29.ic4t 53 ... h5 54.~c6 id2
g;,ffi 30.E!a7 ie7 31.g;,g2 E!dl 32.g;,B i£6 Or 54 ... @f7 55.@d7 ie7 56.ig2 ig5
33.E!a2!? E!xa2 34.ixa2 g6 35.g;,e4 ig7 57.id5t @g7 58.@e6 and so on.
36.f4 exf4 37.gxf4 ib2 38.g;,B iel 39.e4 55.£6t g;,f7 56.g;,d7 ib4 57.ifl ia3
id2 40.h3 iel 41. ~g4 idl 42ic4 ie3 58.ic4t g;,g6 59.ie6 h3 6o.ixh3 g;,f7
43.h4 id2 44.h5 gxh5t? 61.ie6t g;,ffi 62.id5 ib2 63.g;,e6 h4
A serious error as itwas better to avoid giving 64.g;,£5 h3 65.e6 ia3 66.~g4 h2 67.g;,g3
White connected passed pawns so readily. id6t 68. g;,g2 ~e8 69. g;, hI g;,ffi 7o.ic6
Instead, correct is 44 ... @g7!, as for example ia3 71.g;,xh2 ib4 72.~g3 ia3 73.~g4
45.@g5 could then have been met by ib4 74.g;,£5 ia3 75.1a4 ib4 76.~e4
45 ... h6t 46.@g4 g5! when Black would be able ia3 77.g;,d5 ib4 78.g;,c6 ic3 79.e7t g;,f7
to maintain a fortress on the dark squares. 80.g;,d5 1-0
45.g;,£5 h4 46.1fl ~e7 47.e5 iel 48.~e4
id2 49.£5 ig5 5o.ih3 <bf7 51.ig4 3-16 M. Kirszenberg - C. Flear
Tunisia 2010
In the game, Black missed a win with ...

33 ... £5!!
...when the queen can no longer defend both
the rook and the f3..square at the same time.
34.VNd4
Alternatives are no better, e.g. 34.exf6t GDxf6
35.~c4 ~f3 or 34.~e2 'lWxb4.
34...VNB 35.e6t ~g8
• abc d e f g h
... and Black has a mating net.
•
D eviate to Dominate
3-17 3-20
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0
a b c d e f g h
A piece down, White needs to find an
• a b c d e f g h
equalizing idea
3-18 3-21
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
0
3-19
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
0
a b c d e f g h
•
3-17 G. Flear - J. Shulz ISJhc8 ~xc8 16.haS ib4 17.ixb4lilxb4

Le Touquet 1989 18.ibl ~c4 19.~f.3! bS
If 19 .. .tt:lxa2 20.'lMxb7lLlb4, there is 2l.f5!?
29.ixe7t! 2o.a3lildS
White saves himself with this resource. Now, White should have continued with ...
29 .•. <j;lc8 21.£5!
Otherwise, if29 ...i.xe7?, Black loses control ...when Black would have had no
of the d4-square, and so White continues with compensation for the pawn.
30.Bd4.
3o.ixf6 Wldlt 31.~g2 ixe4t 32.he4 3-20G.Flear - A.pfeifer
Wlxg4t 33.~fl Wldl t 34.~g2 Wlg4t 3S.~fl St Affrique 2005
Wldl t 36.~g2 1Wg4t 37.~fl 1/2-1/2
37•.. b4!
3-18 J.P. Boudre - G. Flear Deviating the queen from the f3-square.
Marseille 2006 The unfortunate (for my opponentO game
continuation 37 ...Bxh2? 38.Bxh2 V::tfxh2
2S.e6! 39.V::tfe5 Wh1 t, only led to a draw.
A pretty move that is based on deviation, Finally, the other plausible try, 37 ...Bxd2
whilst also invoking the theme of cutting the 38.Wxd2 'lMf3t 39.<j;lgl 'lMd3 40.'lMa5, would
communication . probably enable White to escape with a
2S ... fxe6 perpetual check.
Here, 25 ...f6 allows 26.'lMxh4. 38.axb4 cxb4 39.Wfd4 'Wf.3t
Otherwise, even if 25 ...f5 avoids losing a It's mate next move.
piece, after 26.Bxf5 i.f6 27.i.xf6 Bxf6 28.Bxf6
gxf6 29 .Be 1 White's position would still be a 3-21 A. Vaisser - G. Flear
winning one. French League 2004
26J'hfBt gxfB 27.gxfBt 1WxfB
... now the queen is deflected .. . 31...gxg2t!
28.1Wxh4 1-0 Deflecting the knight.
I missed this idea at the time, and following
3-19 M. Becker - G. Flear 3l...i.xf4? 32.i.xf4t mb7 33 .Bxf6 Bxg2t
Marseille 2006 34. ma3 (here this square is availableO 34 ... Wd7
35 .Wc5 Be2 36.i.e5 White had a dominating
14.lilxdS! game.
A shock for me at the time! It turns out that 32.~bl
the black queen is overloaded as she has to After 32 .lLlxg2 'lMxe6 33.Wxa6 'lMd7 the
defend a5, c8 and f6 all at once! h-pawn would be decisive; whereas after
14••• lilxdS 32.ma1 then 32 ... h3! and Black wins.
White also emerges with an extra pawn after 32 •.. lilxd4! 33J~d6 1Wf5t 34.~al lilc2t
both 14 ...Bxcl 15.lLlxf6t 'lMxf6 16.Bxcl and 3S.<j;lb2 WfeSt 36.Wfc3lile3t
14 ... exd5 15.Bxc8 'lMxc8 16.i.xa5. Black is winning.
•
Deviate to Dominate ,
3-22 3-23
8 8
7 7
5 5
4
3 3
2 2
0 0
3-24
8
7
6
5
4
3
'~
2
).
0
a b c d e f g h
•
3-22 G. Flear - A. Ruiz Gomez 3- 24 G. Flear - J. Aagaard

Basque League 200B Great Yarmouth 2007
41.ie71 27.gd6!
lhis nice move (suggested by Sebastien With the appearance on the board of a fork
Maze) cuts the communication between the (c6 and h6), the knight on eB is invited to
black queen and rook. move away from the defence of the g7-square.
Following 41.~e6? d3 42.!!dB c4 43.@bl In the actual game, after the continuation
c3 44.bxc3 ~xc3 45 . ~xf7 ~c2t, the game 27.if4 f6 2B.ih5 ttJfB 29.ixeB ixeB 30.!!d6
instead ended with perpetual check. ttJe6 White no longer had any advantage.
41...~d7! 27... tt'lxd6 28.ixd6
Best. Mate is close after 41.. .ixe7 42.~xf7. Hitting both the queen and mate on g7.
Nor is 41.. .!!xe7 42 .!!xfB any better, due to the 28 ... ~f6 29.ie5 ~f1. 30.i.xg7t ~g8
threat of~ gBt . 31.gg3
42Jhf8! With a winning attack.
If 42.~xf7? , Black escapes with 42 ... ~xa4t
drawing.
42..J'hf8 43.ixf8 d3!
Black succeeds in continuing the struggle.
44.~b3! d2 45.~dl ~e8! 46.~xd2 ~xf8
47.~d3 ~f6 48.~e4
White will have reasonable winning chances
in the endgame.
3-23 G. Flear - R. Franca

Narbonne-plage 200B
36.if5!
The communication between the rook and
queen is cut.
Otherwise, White could instead continue
with 36.~d4 @g7 (36 ... ttJh5 37.ttJf5!) 37.!!c6
which is also promising.
36.. .ihf5 37Jhf5 ixf5 38.~e5
A pin that enables White to regain the piece
in all variations.
38...~h4
Here 38 .. .@h7! is the most robust, but
the pseudo-endgame after 39 . ~xf5t ~xf5
40.ttJxf5 !!eB 41.!!c7 @g6 42. ttJelt @g7
43.!!a7 will be difficult to defend.
39.~xf5 ~g7 4O.~fl Wfh6 4U~c6 ge8
42.gxf6! 1-0
Everything collapses after 42 ... ~xf6
43.ttJh5t.
•
Getting a strong attack going is one of the most common ways to overpower an opponent. So in
this chapter I will be asking you to solve exercises in diverse positions where an attacking attitude
will be required!
An attack can be a 'one-mover', but can also be considered as 'a combination of serious threats
in a limited area'. The latter usually results from a concentration of forces and, more often than
not, concerns the neighbourhood of a potentially vulnerable king .
Sometimes an attack leads directly to mate, but often (if the defender puts up resistance) the
attacking side will have to settle for lesser gains such as a material plus, a favourable endgame, or
perhaps just a strategic advantage.
One shouldn't get too frustrated if the payment for one's attacking imagination is not always as
high as one would like. In one's real games this is often the case!
The term initiative means having pieces that are more active and dynamic than the opponent's.
It's almost like having an embryonic attack. It's widely used in chess literature in those cases where
there is nothing concrete as yet, but nevertheless one side seems to be running the show!
The typical consequence of the initiative is that one player will be creating threats, and his
opponent will be principally preoccupied with meeting them.
Naturally it will be necessary to use various tactical themes already met in the preceding chapters.
However, in order to apply these to generate attacking chances, it might be wise to ask yourself
•
certain poignant questions:

Does my opponent have any weaknesses that could perhaps be exploited tactically?
Although my pieces are well enough placed, how can I use them to cause direct problems for
my opponent?
Is there a way to unleash the pent-up potential in my position?
Here are some examples to give an idea of the type of exercises you will come across in this chapter.
Note that the first move isn't always spectacular, but sometimes just a handy preparatory move.
J.P. Boudre - G. Flear

8
French League 2005
7
6 At this point in the game, my opponent
was able to start an attack against my poorly
5
defended king.
4
38.EUc6! ~f8 39.ihh6! ixf2t
3 If 39 .. .gxh6 simply 40.~h7#.
2 40.ix:f2 E!alt 41.~h2 1-0
1
0
a b c d e f g h
A. Greet - G. Flear
Southend 2007
After the following move Black is well-placed

8 in the fight for the initiative.
7 18 ... d3!
The point is to liberate the d4-square for
6
the knight.
5 19.E!xd3!?
4 After 19.cxd3 lLld4 20.~e3 ixg4, Black
3 has an extra pawn and well-installed minor
pieces.
2
Alternatively, the complications arising
• 1
a b c d e f g h
from 19.'lWf3 dxc2 20.ixd6 cl='IW 21.ixf8
~xdl 22.!hdl l!xf8 23.gxf5 lLld4 24.~h3
h5 yield an edge for Black, due mainly to the
fine centralized knight.
19...hd3 2o.'fhd3 ~d4 21.~h3 h6
22. ~e4 ~c6 23.ixh6 E!ae8 24.ixg7 ~7
25.g5 E!h8 26. ~d3ltJxb3 27.axb3 E!h4
Black then has a material advantage, plus
the initiative .
•
On the Attack!
G. Flear - A. Stefanova
Tunis 1999
33.g5t!
Perhaps not the only move that offers
8 White an advantage, but certainly the most
7 efficient.
As for the alternatives, 33-'~xa6 for example,
6
isn't bad either, but the game continuation,
5 33.Wfe4?! e5 34.g5t @h7, was less precise
4 and Black was able to hold out.
3 33 .. sfixg5
If33 ... @h5, White has mate in three starting
2
with 34.Wff3t; whereas after 33 ... @h7 then
0 34.E!xg7t! @xg7 35.'lWd7t @g8 36.Wfxc8t
a b c d e f g h @g7 37.'lWb7t @f8 38.'lWxa6 is convincing.
34.§'e4!
Suddenly, Black's king is denied any shelter
and mate is close.
34...§'c4 35.§'e5t 'it>h6 36.§'xg7t 'it>h5
37.f4
With the decisive threat of 38.'lWh7t!.
S. Hirsch - Flear, G
Dortmund 1985
19J~e8!
8 An unpleasant surprise for me!
7 The annoying threat against the f7-square
6 forces Black to give up a pawn.
19...c4
5
If 19 ... LU f6 20.E!xfBt i.xf8 21.i.xc5 i.xc5
4 22.dxc5, Black cannot retake on c5 and
3 19 ... E!xe8? is even worse, e.g. 2o.Wfxf7t @h8
2 21.'lWxe8t lLlf8 22.lLlf7t @h7 23.lLlxd6.
20.§'f3li)f6 21.i.xd6 §'xd6 22J~~xffit 'it>xfS
0 23.§'xb7 §'e7 24. §'a8t li)e8 25.§'d5
a b c d e f g h White's advantage is verging on the
decisive.
•
Exercises
4-1 4-4
8
7 7
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
0 0
4-2 4-5
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
0
4-3 4-6
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
0 0
•
4-1 D. Velimirovic - G. Flear 4-4 C. Flear - B. Pilotelle

Szirak 1987 Montpellier 1991
18.Wig4! B.liJg5! Wie8

The queen is activated in order to bolster the The lesser evil would be 8 .. .e6 9.1i.xe6 ~e7
attack. when Black only loses a pawn.
18 ... if6 19.Wixe6 ixh4 20.lh.e4 \!;>dB 9.liJb5
21.~xf4 ic8 22.Wif7 ig5 Brutal!
Black survives the first wave, but his king's 9 ... ~b8 10.liJxc7 WidB 11.ixf7t \!;>hB
position remains a concern. 12.~ge6
23.~fl ixc1 24.~xc1 Wie4 25.Wifl id7 Very brutal!
26.ic2 Wig4 27.id3 WigS 28.~al ~ 29.h4 1-0
Wid5 30.liJc2
With a persistent advantage to White. 4-5 P. Goerens - G. Flear
Luxembourg 1988
4-2 G. Flear - P. Large
Surrey 1984 25 ...,bc5! 26.gxh4
26.~xc5 loses to 26 .. .!he5! 27.fxe5 !!f2t.
22.lh.e4! 26 ...Wih6 27.~xg7t
The attack is too strong. If 27.~xc5, again 27 ... !!xe5.
22 ... Wixe4 23.~h8t \!;>e7 24.Wixe4t 27... lh.g7 28.,bg7 Wixf4t 0-1
Mate follows shortly.
1-0 4-6 G. Flear - o. Hadamard
St Affrique 2009
4-3 G. Flear - D. Norwood
Chichester 1984 26.~xg5! fxe3
If 26 ...1i.xe2, White mates in two with
16.liJxg5! 27.'lWh7t @f8 28.'lWf7#.
Black's defences on the kingside are badly Otherwise, following 26 ... hxg5 27.1i.xh5
damaged. !!e4 28.1i.f3 !!e6 29 . ~f5 Black's kingside
16... b5 collapses.
If16 ... hxg517 . ~xg5lLle8, White has 18.f6, 27.Wih7t 1-0
or even 18.1i.xg7 lLlxg7 19.~xe7 f6 20.e5! With a rapid mate.
when the queen escapes unscathed.
17.liJf3 b4 18.,bf6 ixf6 19.Wixh6! ig7
20.Wih5 f6
Black is mated after 20 ... bxc3 21.lLlg5 Elfe8
22.f6!.
21.liJe2 d5 22.e5 fxe5 23.liJg5 ~f6 24.Wih7t
\!;>f8 25.liJe6t Axe6 26.fxe6liJg8 27.gS ~f4
2B.liJxf4 exf4 29.Wif5t 1-0
•
On the Attack!
4-7 4-10
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
4-8 4-11
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
0 0
4-9 4-12
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
•
4-7 G. Attiel - G. Flear 4-10 J. Nogueiras - G. Flear

Narbonne-plage 2005 Szirak 1986
24... llJh4t! My opponent found a nice mating net ...

In the game, 24 ... 'lWf6?! would have been 35.gc8t! ~h7 36.gal! g6 37.gaa8 gxf5
less clear after the logical continuation 25.lZ:lf3 38.gh8t ~g7 39.gag8t ~ 40.gxh6t ~e7
ie4 26J~!h1!. 41.i.fll-0
25.~hl The threat of ih4 t leaves Black with no
If 25.gxh4 , Black has a straight mate by reason to play on.
25 ...'lWh2t 26 ..;t.f3 'lWh1#.
25 ...Wth6! 4-11 G. Flear - M. Condie
The attack is winning. Bath 1987
0-1
15.llJf6t! ~h8
4-8 G. Flear - K. Arkell If 15 ... gxf6, White has a very strong attack
Hastings 1988/9 following 16.'lWxh6lZ:ld7 (or 16...'lWf8 17.!hd8
'lWxd8 18.exf6 'lWf8 19.'lWg5t .;t.h8 20.i.d3)
24.i.xe5! 17.!hd7! !!xd7 18.exf6 'lWf8 19.'lWg5t .;t.h7
White sacrifices a piece to demolish Black's 20.'lWh5t .;t.g8 21.lZ:lg5 etc.
defensive wall. 16.gxd8t Wtxd8 17.llJgS!
24...dxe5 25.Wtxe5 i.g4 26J'U6 Wth5 27.Wt xc7 Both knights are untouchable, e.g.
gg728.ge5 17 ... hxg5 18.'lWh3# or 17 ... gxf6 18.lZ:lxVt
White's major pieces dominate. .;t.g7 19.1Z:lxd8.
28 ... ggS 29.ge7 gg7 30.h3 gc8 17.. :~e7 18.Wtd3 g619.ix:e6! i.e8
30...ie2 is refuted by 31.g4 etc. Mate is close after 19 ... fXe6 20.'lWxg6.
31.Wtb7 ~c4 32.hxg4 1-0 20.Wth3 ~g7 21.llJxe8t Wtxe8 22.llJxf7
White has won two pawns.
4-9 E. Mouret - G. Flear 22 ... h5 23.i.b3 llJc6 24.~e3 ~f8 25.gdl
Toulon 1986 ~e7 26.Wth6t ~e8 27.Wtxg6 1-0
20 ...Wtg4! 4-12 S. Miischenich - G. Flear

The exchange of queens removes White's Nottingham 1987
best defensive piece.
21.Wtf5t 30... e4!
Mter 21.'lWxg4t hxg4 22.i.g5 g3! the attack The invasion (via f2) will ensure the win of
would be too strong. at least the exchange.
21...Wtxf5 22.exf5 gg8 23.g3llJe4 31.lLJxg5 gflt 32.~el gfl t 33.~d2
With threats against the f2 and g3-squares. If 33 ..;t.e2? simply 33 .. .!!8f2#.
24.gxe4 i.xe4 25.i.xf7 ruB 26.i.e6t ~e6 33... gd8t 34.~c2 gdxdl 35.gxe4 gdel
27.fxe6 ~fl 28.e7 ~d7 29.gel gc2t 36.gh4 ge7 37.lLJe4 ggl 38.g3 gg2t
30.~fl i.g2# 39.~b3 b5 40.gg4 gO
With the intention of continuing with
...!!fl -b 1-b2 etc.
41.c4 gat 42.llJc3 ggx:g3 43.gxg3 ~g3
44.cxb5 axb5 45.h4 gh3 0-1
•
On the Attack!
4-13 4-16
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h • 1
a b c d e f g h
4-14 4-17
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0
4-15 4-18
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0
•
4-13 G. Flear - D. Velimirovic 25.a3!

Zenica 1987 The queen can no longer defend the e7-
square.
12... lihf2! 25 ... ~xelt 26.~xel gd8 27.~e5 ~d7?
White's king becomes vulnerable. 28.~d61-O
13.~xf2?
With hindsight, it seems that 13.gxf2! 4-16 D. Sellas - G. Flear
would have been better: 13 .. -,Wxg3 14.if4 Lille 1985
~h4 15.1t1b5 a6 16.1t1xd6 id4 17 .~d2 with
complications. 26 ... !!ac8!
13...~d4t 14.~0 h5! Black can give up the bishop as his attack will
Threatening ... ig4t. offer him more than enough compensation.
15.~f5 gxf5 16.exf5 ~d7 17.~el ~e5t 27.~xb7 !!c2
18.~e2 ~xelt 19J'he1 ~xd3 20.~d3 Defending the f2-square costs White his
~xf5t 21.~c4 ~e5 queen.
White is a clear pawn down. 28.~xg7t ~g7 29.~xe5t ~f7 30.~g3 ~h7
22.!!fl ~g6 23.~f4.hf4 24.!!xf4 a6 25. ~e4 31.e4 ge8?! 32.e5?! ~e6 33.b5 !!ec8 34.a4
~xe4 26.!!xe4 !!fe8 27.!!h4 !!e3 28.!!a3 !!b2 35.!!ec1 !!cc2 36.~c2 !!xc2 37.a5
!!xa3 29.bxa3 ge8 30.gxh5 ge4t 31.~b3 ~c7 38.h3 ~c3 39.!!bl ~xa5 40.hxg4 ~c7
!!e3t 32.~c4 ~g7 33.!!g5t ~f6 0-1 41.i.h3
The alternative, 41.ga1 gel 42.ga6t \t>e7
4-14 M. Hebden - G. Flear 43.if4 gd 1, is not playable either.
London 1984 41...!!c1t 42.!!xc1 ~xc1t 43.~h2 ~d2 0-1
19.!!xc5! 4-17 J.L. Teychene - G. Flear

A nice exchange sacrifice in order to take Bagneux 1985
possession of the dark-squares.
19...~xc5 20.gc1 ~b6 21.~f4 31...~xg4!
Threatening ~f6. White's pieces are unable to parry the
21. .. f5 22.exf6 0-0 23.~d6 ~d4 24.~xe6t gathering storm on the h-file.
~h8 32.hxg4 ~xg4 33.0 ~h5!
If 24 ... gfl then 25.~xc6. The only winning move.
25.~e7 ~a7 26.!!xc6 1-0 34.fxg4 ~hl t 35.~f2 gh2t 36.~el !!xc2
0-1
4-15 G. Flear - G. Grimberg
Meudon 1984 4-18 G. Flear - J. Ady
Telford 1983
24.~xf7!
A temporary sacrifice that demolishes Black's 23 ... hh3!
defences. Black's pieces are just too hot to handle.
24...~xf7 24.gxh3 !!ffit 25.~f5
Otherwise, 24 .. .\t>xfl is hardly better, e.g. Or 25.gB ig3t 26.\t>e2 ~xg2t 27.\t>d1
25.~h5t \t>g8 26.gxe6 ltlxe6 27. ~h7t \t>f8 ~xf3t.
28.~f5t \t>g7 29Jie5t \t>g8 30.~xe6t \t>f8 25 ... ~f5t 26.!!0 ~g3t 0-1
31.a3! 1!9el t 32.\t>a2 ~xf2 33.if5 and the
attack is too strong.
•
On the Attack!
4-19 4-22
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
4-20 4-23
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
0
4-21 4-24
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
0
a b c d e f g h • 1
a b c d e f g h
•
4-19 G. Flear - R. Douven 19.!:txd8t !:txd8 20.ixc6 bxc6 21.lilxeS ixeS

Charlton 1983 22.fxeS ~b7 23.ixh6 lile6 24.!:td2 !:th8
2S.ie3 ~c7 26.h4 a6 27.!:tn !:th7 28.~c2
24...ixg4! 2S.fxg4 ~xg4t 26.'i!?hllilg3t! lilfB 29.ics lild7 30.id6t ~b6 31.b4 as
Did you find this decisive second piece 32.bxaSt ~xaS 33.~c3 ~b6 34.~c4 ~aS
sacrifice? 3s.ic7t ~a6 1-0
27.hxg3 fxg3
The pawns just keep advancing! 4-22 M. Basman - G. Flear
28.ie2 g2t 29.~gl h2t! 30.~xh2 gl=~t Brighton 1984
31.ixgl if4t 32.~hl ~h3t 33.ih2
~xh2# 27.ixf7t!
Black's king now becomes badly exposed.
4-20 I. Robertson - G. Flear 27 ... ~xf7 28.~d7t ie7 29.~f5t ~e8
Edinburgh 1983 30.~g6t ~d8 31.!:tdlt idS 32.~xe4!
Simple and strong, but not the tempting
There are two ways to smash Black's defences: 32.'lWe6? l::!d7 33.'lWxb6t <±>e8 as Black would
then stand well!
1) 23.lilcS! lilxcs 24J'he6! ih7 2SJ:M6 ~e8 32...!:td7 33.~h7
26.dxcS The attack continues unabated ...
With a winning position.
4-23 V. Ravikumar - G. Flear
2) The other path is ... Hastings 1984/5
23.lilxg6! !:tg7
Or 23 ...fxg6 24.lDf6t lDxf6 25.fhe6, and 27... lilf4t!
the pressure against f6 and g6 is just too Winning by force.
powerful. 28.gxf4 ~g4t 29.!:tg3 ~dl 30.!:th3
24.~eS !:txg6 2s.lilf6t lilxf6 26.!:txf6 idS In order to avoid mate on hI.
27.~f5 30 ...~gl t 31.~f3 ~g4t 32.~e3 ~xh3t
Black is defenceless. 0-1
4-21 G. Flear - P. Motwani 4-24 G. Andruet - G. Flear

Edinburgh 1983 Toulon 1984
Is.fildSt! 16 ... lilxfl! 17.~xfl ig4

This move destabilizes Black's set-up. The attack is so strong that White loses his
Is ...ixdS queen.
Alternatively, 15 ...<±>b8 doesn't solve Black's 18.~gl ig3t 19.~d2 !:tnt 20.~xfl ixfl
problems: 16.lDxe7 l::!xe7 17.lDxe5 and then 21.lilxe4 !:tfB 22.lilc3 ~e7 23.~d3 ixh4
the pin along the d-file enables White to win 24.e4 id7 2S.eS ~xeS 0-1
a pawn.
If 15 ...cxd5, White is the one winning
material after 16.cxd5t <±>b8 17.dxe6 fxe6
18.ib5.
16.cxdS ~b8 17.dxc6lilxc6 18.ibSlilfB
Maybe 18 ... <±>c7 would have been more
resistant.
•
On the Arrack!
4-25 4-28
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0 0
4-26 4-29
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
0 0
4-27
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
0
a b c d e f g h
<==== 'fJ-
•
4-25 Z. Azmaiparashvili - G. Flear played in the game and White went on to lose)
St Vincent 2003 38 ... 'lWe4t (if 38 ... !!e5, then 39.l2)xd6! 'lWd5t
40.'lWf3t 'lWxf3t 41.4?xf3 and White should
37.ih6! win) 39.4?h2 !!e5 40.'lWg5t 4?e6 41.!!xf7!
Instead, 37.,if4 wouldn't be clear after 4?xf7 (or 41...4?d5 42.'lWxg6+- ) 42.ttJxd6t
37 ... l2)b6!. and wins.
37...gxh6 38.~5 36... ltlh4t 37.~h3!
The threat to give a deadly check on e5 or f6 Now the only way to avoid getting mated
leaves Black with no choice. IS •• •
38... ~g7 39J'hg7 ~xg7 37...~g4t 38.~xg4 bxg4t 39.~xh4

White has some technical problems, but my ... which is of course hopeless for Black.
opponent was able to overcome them.
40.~d7t ~fS 41.~f5t ~g7 42.~e5t ~ 4-28 P. Dittmar - C. Flear
43.~h8t ~e7 44.~xh7t ~d8 45.~b7 !k7 St Vincent 2002
46.~xd5t ~e7 47.~a2lDd6 48.c4 ~d8
If 48 ... l2)xc4, White has 49.'lWxc4 a2 27.gdxg7t!
50.'lWc5t 4?f6 51.'lWxa7 etc. The game continued 27.!!gxg7t? 4?f8
49.c5 liJb5 50.~g2 liJc3 51.~g8t ~c7 28.!!gf7t 4?g8 29.!!g7t 4?f8 30.!!gf7t 4?g8
52.~f7t ~b8 53.~e8t ~b7 54.~d7t ~b8 31.!!g7t with only a draw.
55.~d8t ~b7 56.~b6t ~a8 57.c6 1-0 27 ... ~fS 28.gg8t ~f7 29.g6g7t ~e6
30.ge8t ~d6
4-26 G. Flear - S. Ansell Or 3O ... 4?f5 31.!!g5t 4?f4 32.!!f8#.
British League 2003 31.ic7t ~d5 32.ltlc3t
The game is clearly winning for White.
24.,ixd5!
Black's defences are shattered. 4-29 G. Flear - B. Jacobs
24... exd5 25Jh5 ~h6 26Jhe5! !he5 Torquay 1982
27.liJ5 ~f6 28.~xg7t ~xg7 29Jhg7 gbe8
If29 .. J'hf5, there is 30.!!g6t and mates . 25.ltlcd5t!
30.gc7ltld3 31.gxb7 gfS 32.ltle7 A sacrifice that destabilizes Black's fortress.
Black loses at least another pawn. 25 ... cxd5 26.ltlxd5t ~d8
1-0 If 26 ... 4?e8, then 27.!!xfBt when there isn't
a good way to reply, for example 27 ... ttJexfB
4-27 C. Flear - U. Heymann 28.l2)c7t is winning for White.
Battle 2001 27.ixg6 hxg6 28.ge5
White's superiority is clear despite being the
36. ltl 5! exchange down.
Clearest. 28 ... ~c8 29.ltle7t ~c7 30.ltld5t ~c8
Also possible is 36.'lWxh5t!? (not the 31.gexe6 he6 32.gxe6 gb8 33.gxg6 ~d7
most precise, but still good enough to win) 34.gg7t ~d8 35.a4 ge8 36.ltlf6 ~8 37.e5
36 ... 4?g7 37 .l2)f5 t 4?f6 38.h4! (38.l2)d4?? was a5 38.b5 ~c8 39.ltld7 1-0
•
On the Attack!
4-30 4-33
8
7 7
6
5
4
3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
4-31 4-34
8 8
7 7
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
0 0
4-32
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
• a b c d e f g h
•
4-30 M. Kaposztas - G. Flear 4-32 A. Casa - G. Flear

Budapest 1984 Manchester 1982
24... ~xe3! 29...~f4!

Offering a piece for three pawns plus the An awkward move to meet.
initiative. 30.E!ddl?
25.fxe3 ~xe3t 26.~f2E!xdl t 27.~xdl ~xd4 If 30.gxf4? !:!xh4 there is a mating net.
28.~c2 ~xb4 29.~xc6! ~xd2 30.~xf6 h5 Otherwise 30.!:!d3 loses the exchange for
Black has decent winning chances, especially nothing after 30 .. .J.e2t .
as White's knight is dominated. On the other hand, if30.J.d I! J.xdl 31.J.xf3
31.g4 b4 32.gxh5 gxh5 33.~h4 ~ffi !:!f5 32j,g4 !:!d5 or equally with 30.!:!el
34.~xh5 b3 35.~h8t <Jle7 36.~h4t f6 !:!xe 1t 31.<Jlxe 1 J.xd2t 32.~xd2 b5, White
37.~h7t ~d6 38.~b7? has some compensation for the exchange and
White could perhaps have drawn with thus drawing chances, even if Black remains
38.\Wd3. better.
38... b2 39.~b6t <Jle7 40.~c7t <Jle6 30... c5!
41.~c6t <J;;e; 42.~d7t <Jlg6 43.~e8t <Jlg5 Already decisive.
44.~g8t <Jlf4 45.~b8t ~5 46.~c8t <Jle5 31.i.g6~xdl 0-1
47.~c7t <Jld4 48.~b6t <Jlc4 49.~a6t <Jlb3
50.~b5t <Jlc2 51.~a4t ~c1 52.~a3 ~d4 4-33 G. Flear - N. McSheehy
53.<Jlg2 <Jlc2 54.~g4 ~d2t 55.~B d4 Charlton 1983
56.~a2 ~d3t 57.<Jlg2 ~b3 0-1
20.~xa7!
4-31 G. Flear - C. Rabineau Black's king will lack cover.
St Chely d' Aubrac 2001 20 ... E!xb5 21.E!ac1 t ~d8 22.E!fdl t ~d5
23.E!xd5t E!xd5 24.~xd5t ~d6 25.~b6t
18.d6! <Jle726.E!c7t 1-0
Freeing up the d5-square for the knight.
18...hd6 19.~d5 4-34 B. Kouatly- G. Flear
There are two threats, liJb6 and liJxf6t. Wijk aan Zee 1988
19... 0-0 20.~b6 ~e8 21.~xa8 ~xa8
22.~c5 26.~c3!
Black doesn't have enough compensation for A patient move that proves to be difficult to
the exchange. meet.
22 ...~b8 23.~d5t ~f7 24.E!fdl ~e7 The game continued with 26.'lWb3t?! J.b6
25.~b7 ~xb7 26.~xb7 E!c8 27.~B ~e6 27.'lWf7 J.c7 28.'lWb3t (if 28.'lWd7? White is
28.i.xd6 ~xd6 29.~xd6 cxd6 30.E!xc8t not actually threatening to capture on c6 due
~xc8 31.~g4 hg4 32.hxg4 ~b6 33.E!xd6 to the pin along the c-file) 28 ...J.b6 29.'lWf7
1-0 J.c7 30.'lWb3t with a draw.
26... ib6 27.~f7
Now this is strong.
27... ic7 28.~d7!
White really is threatening 29.'lWxc6 (there is
no longer any pin to worry about), with mate
to follow on b7, and Black is unable to stop
this.
•
On the Arrack!
4-35 4-38
8 8
7 7
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
4-36 4-39
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
4-37 4-40
8
7 7
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0 0
•
4-35 R. Tozer - G. Flear 4-38 G. Flear - L Ftacnik

Uppingham 1988 Belgrade 1988
29.. J~dl t! 30.~g2 id3! 14... c4!

The rook has to leave the sixth rank and then Obtaining access for the knight to the c5-
the king hunt can get under way! square speeds up the attack.
3Uha7 15.ixc4 id7 16.a4 E!fc8 17.~bl lLlc5
The knight is lost if 31J:k6 ib5; just as it is 18.Wia3 Wixa4
following 31..!:!e6 ic4 32 ..!:!e 1 .!:!xe 1 33.ixe 1 White is defenceless.
ib3. 19.b3? ixb5 0-1
31...iflt 32.~g3 id6t 33.~h4
Or 33.f4 .!:!d3t 34.'t:~{h4 .!:!h3#. 4-39 M. Pein - G. Flear
33...g5t 34.~h5id3 35.E!a8t ifB Barnsdale 1989
Threatening ... igG mate!
36.E!xfBt ~xfB 37.ixd4 ig6t 38.~h6 16... lLle3t!
E!xd40-1 This temporary sacrifice exposes some
tactical weaknesses in the white camp.
4-36 J. Hector - G. Flear 17.fxe3 dxe3 18.lile4 ixb2 19.E!xb2 E!xe4!
Nancy 1988 20.Wif3
Following the alternative continuation,
26... E!xfS! 20.ixe4 ~f6t 21.~f3 ~xb2 22.~xe3 ih3t
A potential defender is removed, thus 23.~el .!:!e8, material is equal, but not the
speeding up Black's attack. security of the respective monarchs!
27.WixfS lilc3t! 28.~al 20 ... E!e6 21.~gl Wib6 22.E!e2 Wixb3 0-1
If 28.bxc3 bxc3, mate will soon follow.
28 .. .'IWc4 29.bxc3 bxc3 30.E!xd4 Wixd4 4-40 J. Pinter - G. Flear
31.Wie4 Wic5 32.~a2 E!b6 33.Wia8t ~h7 French League 1989
34.Wie4t g6 0-1
22.lLlf6t!
4-37 G. Flear - C. Baker Black's king is clearly lacking in support.
Leicester 1988 22... gxf6
Equally hopeless are 22 ... ~h8 23.~h3 h6
16.ixg6! 24.ixh6! and 22 ... ~f8 23.LtJd7t.
The barricades are breached. 23.ih61-O
16... fxg6 17.lilxg6 ic5
Or 17 ... hxg6 18 . ~xg6t ~h8 19.!!e3 etc.
18.lilxfB WixfB 19.E!xe6 ixd4 20.E!xd4
White has a material advantage as well as an
attack.
20 ... Wic5 21.E!f4 E!fB 22.Wic3 lilh5 23.E!g4t
~f7 24.E!e5 Wic8 25.E!xh5 Wixg4 26.E!xh7t
~e6 27.E!xb7 Wixg2 28.Wie3t ~B 29.Wid3t
Wie4 30.Wih3t ~g5 31.E!g7t ~f6 32.Wih6t
1-0
•
On the Attack!
4~1 4~4
8 8
7 7
6
5 5
4
3 3
2 2
0 0
4~S
4~2
8
7 7
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
0 0
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
4~3
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
• a b c d e f g h
•
4-41 J .R. Koch - G. Flear 38...ixd4t 39.~g2 V:Vb2t 40.ie2

Paris 1989 After 40.We2 d5, Black has three pawns for
the exchange and the pseudo-endgame will be
13.fx:e5! highly favourable.
Not showing any fear of a discovered, or 40 ... i£6!
even a double, check! Winning, as White has no counter-threats.
The calm 13.@h 1 is possible, but not 41.§'xd7 §'xe2t 0-1
13.cxd4? because then 13 ...ixd4t 14.@h1
bxa4 15.fxe5 ixe5, when Black's pieces would 4-44 G. Del Rio de Angeles - G. Flear
be well-placed to successfully defend. Spanish League 2008
13... ~f.3t 14.@hl ~xg5 15.exf6
Black's king is so fragile, the result is no My opponent missed ...
longer in doubt. 27.§'xf5!
15.. J'&e8 ...which wins on the spot:
If 15 ... d5 then 16.Wh5. 27... gxf5 28.gxg7t ~fB 29.gg8t ~f7
16J3f5 ihe4 17J3xg5t ~fB 18.~d2 iha4 30.g1g7#
19.~f.3 d6 20J3h5 ~g8 21.b4 1-0 In the game, I managed to draw after several
imprecise moves from my opponent: 27.ixf5?!
4-42 G. Flear - A. Kosten LtJe7! 28.ixe6?! (28.if6! g exf6 29.exf6 Wxf6
Plymouth 1989 30.gxg7t! should win) 28 ...Wxe6 29.g xg7t?
(better was 29Jixe7 Wxa2t 30.We2 Wxe2t
31.e6! 31.@xe2 gxe7 32.f5!) 29 ...gxg7 30.We8t
An annoying move, which leaves Black's @h7 31.gxg7t @xg7 32.if6t @h7 (there is
pieces awkwardly placed to restrain the no mate!) 33.@el ic6 34.Wxe7t and draws.
d-pawn.
31... fx:e6 32.d6 geb8 33.~c5 gd8?
A precise defence was required: 33 .. J''iffi!
4-45 J.N. Riff- G. Flear
Chamalieres 2007
34.We3!? (34 .d7 gad8 35.gxf8t LtJxffi 36.gfl
Wc4! yields nothing) 34 .. .gad8 35.gxf8t
LtJ xf8 36. LtJe4 and Black should hold. 25.ixh7t!
34.d7 ~e5 35.gf4 ~h3 36.gafl Devastating!
Black suffers with the rook on a8 being out
25 .. .r.t>h8
If 25 ... @xh7, White has 26.Wh5t @g8
of play.
27.Wxf7t @h7 28.Wf5t @h8 29.gxc3 gxf4
36... ~g6 37.g4f3 V:Vg4 38.§'d6 ~h4
30.Wxf4 etc.
39JBfl V:Vc4 40.~xe6t ~xe6 41.~xe6 1-0
26.gxd4 ixd4 27. ~h5 ixflt 28. <.t> hI ixg3
4-43 U.v. Nielsen - G. Flear 29.ig6t!
An important finesse, as Black could hold
Hastings 1989/90
after either 29 Jie4 t @g8 30.ixc6 gc8 or
37... gxf2t! 29.gxc6 Wxc6 30.ie4t Wh6.
A combination that opens up White's king.
29... <.t>g8 30.ixf7t <.t>fB 31.gfl ifl 32.~f5
38.~xf2
id4 33.id5t i£6 34.~e6! ~c7 35.gxf6t!
38.@gl Wa1 t 39.@xf2ixd4t is similar. 1-0
•
On the Attack!
446 448
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
447 449
8 8
7 7
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
0 0
•
4-46 S. Navarrete - G. Flear The best chance was offered by the

French League 2009 prophylactic 26 .. .E!a8!.
27.gxe4 ~g6 28.a4 ga8 29.h3 eS 30.~e2
43... a3! @f5 31.~b3 e4 32.~b4 gb8t 33.~a3 gd8
The advanced passed pawn will overload If 33 ... i>f4, the move 34.E!c3!, stopping
White's pieces. ... i>f3, is key. Then after 34 ...i>e5 35.b4
44.bxa3 b2 4s.filc3 'iWb3 the passed pawn couplet will inexorably
Simplest here is 45 ... 'l9d4! 46.'l9xd4 exd4 advance.
47.l2Jed1 dxc3 48.l2Jxc3 ixc4 49.a4 ie2!. 34.aS gd2 3SJ:!e7 f6 36.b4 ~f4 37.a6 ~B
46.filed1 ixe4 47.'iWb1 ie2! 38.bS ~xf2 39.a7 gd8 40.b6 e3 41.b7 e2
Again attacking f3 with this move. 42.ge71-O
4S.'iWxb2
48.l2Jxe2'l9xf3t is also hopeless. 4-48 G. Flear - M. Vallet
48 ...ixBt 49.~f2 ixd1 French League 2004
Black wins a piece.
SO.'iWxb3 ixb3 Sl.a4 ~f8 S2.~e3 ~e7 24.£5!
S3.aS ie4 S4.ti)a2 ~d7 SS.filb4 ibS White aims to create targets in the centre
S6.file2 ~e7 0-1 and on the kingside.
24 ... exf5
4-47 G. Flear - E. Bricard Alternatively, after 24 .. .E!d7 25.fxe6 fxe6
Canohes (rapid) 2005 26.f4 '?Na5 27.E!g5 '?Nb4 28.b3 White's initiative
starts to become significant.
16J:!d7! 2S.exf5 geS?! 26.ixeS dxeS 27.'iWh4 'iWb7
Taking advantage of the temporary pin. 28.ie4 'iWd7 29.hxg6 hxg6 30.fxg6 f5
16...'iWxd7! 31.ged1 'iWxd1 32.'iWxe7 fxe4 33.gxd1
If 16 ...'lge8, White has a decisive attack gxdIt 34.~h2 1-0
with 17.ixf6 gxf6 18.'l9d2! i>xh7 (18 ... fxe5
19.'l9xh6) 19.12Jg4. 4-49 G. Flear - F. Merle
Otherwise, Black doesn't get enough for his Perpignan 2004
queen following 16... l2Jxd7 17.ixe7 l2Jxe5
18.ixf8 ixffi 19.ie4 etc. 22.hlS!
17.filxd7 filxd718.gd1 hxgS 19.~d7 ixg2 Snatching a free pawn as Black daren't
20.ie4?! capture the bishop.
Better is the tactical move 20.ig6! for 22... gh8
example 20 ... i>g8 21 .'l9d3 E!ae8 22.'l9g3 ic6 If 22 ...gxh5 , White mates with 23.'?Ng5t
(22 ...ia8 loses to 23 .'l9c7!) 23.ixf7t! E!xf7 i>h7 24.Wxh5t i>g7 25.E!e3.
24.E!xf7 i>xf7 25.'l9c7t i> f6 26.'?Nxc6 and, 23.iB !a8 24.e6 fxe6
with Black's structure in taners, White should Now the simplest is ...
WIn. 2S.gxe6!
20...ixe4 21.'iWxe4 gad8 22.gxa7 .. .for example:
With a clear advantage (queen and greater 2S ... gh6
activity for rook and bishop), but Black can Or 25 ... l2Jxd5 26.'?Ne4!.
still put up staunch resistance. 26.gde1 file8 27.'iWgS
22 ... gd4 23.~e2 bS!? 24.ge7 ~e4t 2S.'iWxe4 White is winning.
bxe4 26.gxeS ~h7
•
On the Attack!
4-50 4-52
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0
4-51 4-53
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0
•
4-50 V. Malakhatko - G. Flear White wins if Black takes the queen

Marseille 2004 immediately, i.e. 26 ... exd3 27.Bxg7t ~hB
2B.Bxd7.
14Jhd6! 27.dxc5 exd3 28.ltJf6t gxf6 29.gxf6 Wtd8
Black's king is brought into the range of 30.gxg7t ~ 31.gxg6 Wtd5t 32.~gl ~f3
White's artillery. There is no perpetual check following
14...ixf3 32 .. .1.Wxc5t 33 . ~h2! 'l9f2t 34.Bg2.
Or 14 ... @xd6 15.if4t @d7 16.'l9d3t @cB 33.gh8t ~f7 34.gg7t ~xf6 35.ic3t ~e6
17.ixc7 @xc7 IB.ltJ b5t etc. 36.ge8t ~d5 37.ge5#
15.if4!?
Otherwise if 15.ixf3 @xd6 16.if4t, Black 4-52 J. De Sousa - G. Flear
can repulse the attack with 16 ... e5. French League 2007
15...ixg216.~g2 gS
After 16 .. .BdB 17.Badl Bxd6 IB.ixd6t Black wins, starting with a series of precise
@f7 (if IB .. .<±>d7 strongest is 19.ifBt! @cB checks .. .
20.ixg7) 19 .ixc7'l9c6t 20.e4! 'l9xc7 21.exf5, 43... gc1t!
White wins a pawn. But not 43 ... Bg3t? 44 . ~h2!.
17.ixgS ~xd6 18.ixf6 gfB 19.Wtd3t ~c6 44.~g2 ifl t 45.~g3 glc3t 46.~h2 gh8t
20. Wtf3t ~d7 21.gdl t ~c8 22.ttlb5! 1-0 47.~gl gg3t 48.~f2
If 4B. ~xfl? then 4B .. .BfB.
4-51 G. Flear -A. Petrossian 48... gfB 49.WtxfBt ~xfB 5o.~xg3 dxe5
Marseille 2004 51.d6 ic4 52.~ ixa2! 0-1
23.gxh7! 4-53 R. Edouard - G. Flear

The rook is taboo: 23 .. .@xh7 24.Bhl t ~gB Geneva (rapid) 2009
25.'l9xgG fxg5 26.'l9hlt ~f7 27.ltJf5 and the
arrack is decisive. 41. .. ltJxh4!
23 ... 5 24.gehl ge4!? White's king comes under the cosh.
Black seeks complications. 42~xh4 !!xg2
25.ltJcxe4 dxe4 26.ltJh5 There are too many threats, ... g5t and
26.ltJxf5! Bxf5 27.'l9xe4 would have been ... Bxgl being the strongest.
simpler. 0-1
26 ... ltJxc5
e·
o 0
On the Attack! ,
4·54 4·57
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0 0
4·55 4·58
8
7 7
6 6
5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
4·56
o
abc d e f g h
•
4-54 G. Flear - S. Lalie 4-57 G. Flear - R. Palliser

Great Yarmouth 2007 British League 2005
35 ..!ht7t! 33.~xt7!
This combination works, as White can avoid In the game, I played the right idea but
the attempted perpetual check. in inferior circumstances: 33.i xd3? exd3
35 ...ixt7 36J~xt7t WgS 37.~g7t WiB 34.!!xf7 ~e1 t 35.~h2 ~ xf7 36.~xh7 (after
3S.Wh6 Welt 39.Wh2 Wg3t 40.Whl WeI t 36.~f6t ~e8 the black queen stops the check
41.igll-O on e6) 36 .. .!!g8 37 .~f5t ~e8 38 . ~g6t ~d8
39.if6t ~c8 40.~xd3 ~e6 41.~d5 ltJd8
4-55 G. Flear - E. Chaplin 42.~c5t ~d7 43.~b5t ~c8 44.~c5t ~d7
Narbonne-plage 2006 45.~b5t ~c8 '12- '12.
33... Wxt7 34.Wf6t <j;leS 35.We6t file7
19.Jile6! 36.ixd3
A powerful move enabling a minor piece to The right moment!
join in the attack. 36... exd3 37.if6
Inferior is 19 ... !!e8t 20. ~d2 g5 21.!!ae1 White wins.
and White has control.
20.dxe6 ~aeSt 21.file2 ixe6 22.~fl?! 4-5S A. Sydor - G. Flear
The best defence would have been 22.h3! Mea 1983
~f3 (22 ... ~xe2t? 23 .~xe2 ixh1 24.ie3 !!f3
25. ~ d2 favours White) 23.!!f1 ~g2 24.h4 25.Wh5!
if3 25.!!f2 ~gl t 26.!!f1 ~g2==. The game continued 25.ixc4? !!xc4 26.~g8
22 .. .i.f3 23.~fl ~f4! 24.gxf4 ixe2 25.~xe2 exd5 27 .~xf7t ~c6 28.!!xc4t dxc4 29.~xc4t
Wgi t 26.Wd2 ~xe2t 27.Wxe2 Wxal ~b7 30.~h4 ltJc7 31.g3 !!e8 (Black has
With a clear advantage to Black. consolidated his position) 32.!!cl ~f5 33.id4
~d3 34 .~f6 ~d2 35.!!a1 !!e1 t 36.!!xe1
4-56 G. Flear - L. Van Wely ~xe1 t 37 .~g2 ~e4t 38.f3 Wfd5 39.h4
French League 1999 ~xa2t 40. ~h3 ~e6t 41.g4 CLld5! 42.~g7t
~c6 0- 1.
The most precise is ... 25 ...Wa6
25.Wd5! If 25 ... ~e7, simply 26 .~h4t ~d7
I continued instead with 25.!!e8!? !!b8 27.ixc4.
26.ixf8! (26.~c3? wasn't good because of 26.ixe4 ~e4 27.Wxt7t WeS 2S.~e4t
26 ...~xc3 27.bxc3 f6 28.!!dd8 ~f7! and Wxe429.~c1
Black escapes) 26 ...ltJxf8 27.!!dd8 (White's White should win.
rooks are dominating) 27 ... ~xd8 28.!!xd8
ig4 29.!!xf8t ~xf8 30.~xg4 !!d8 31.~e4 b6
32 .~b7 1-0.
25... filxdS 26.WxdS
It's already all over.
•
On the Attack!
4-59 4-62
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0
4-60 4-63
8 8
7 7
6 6
5
5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0
a b c d e f g h
• a b c d e f g h
4-61
o
abc d e f g h
•
4-59 R. Rey Ardid - G. Flear 4-62 M. Goodger - G. Flear

Andorra 1985 Isle of Man 2001
18.Wid1! 23... g5!

The game finished as a remarkable draw: Bringing up the reserves!
18.E!c5t? ~xc5 19.Wfe5t ~xc4 20.b3t ~d3 24.h3
2l.Wfe3t ~c2 22.Wfe2t ~cl 23.Wfe1 t ~c2 Or 24.gae1 g4 25.lLle5 Wfh5 and Black wins
24.Wfe2t and VI- Yz! a pawn by capturing twice on e5.
18... b6 19.Wif.3! c,t>b7 24... g4 25.hxg4 E!xg4 26.e4
Or 19 ... Wfb 1t?? 20.gd 1t with check! 26.gf1 doesn't hold Black back from playing
20.E!d6t c,t>b8 21.E!xg6 E!e8 22.i.c3 fxg6 26 ... gxf3!, e.g. 27.gxf3 Wfh2t 28.~f2 Wfxg2t
23.Wif7 29.~e1 Wfxf3.
With a big advantage to White. 26. ..E!xa 27.Wixa Wih2t 28.c,t>fl E!f40-1
4-60 G. Flear - H. Hamdouchi 4-63 G. Flear - M. Santo-Roman

Montpellier 2000 St Chely d'Aubrac 2002
3O.i.xg6! 24... E!f5!

The game continued with 30.gd1 ~f8 The game ended in a draw after 24 ... gxb4?
3l.e6? (there is still 3l.ixg6! but after 25.Wfc6 gb3 26.if4 :!hb2 27.Wfe4 gxf4
31...fxg6, the winning idea would be to 28.gxf4 Wfh4t 29.~gl Wff2t 30.~h2 Wfh4t
continue with 32.f5!) 3l...ge8 32.5 ig2t 31. ~gl Wff2t Yi- Yz.
33.~e2 Wfxh2 34.lLlf3 ixf3t 35.~xf3 25.Wid1
Wfe5 with chances for both sides in the The lesser evil is 25.g4, but after 25 ... Wfh4t
complications. 26 . ~gl ge5 27.if4 E!e2 28.E!f1 Wfxg4
30...fxg6 29.Wfc6 gf8 Black's position is nevertheless
Or 3O ... ~e7 31.gd1 and White's attack is still winning.
the more powerful. 25 ... E!xb4 26.E!a3 E!d4
31.Wie6t c,t>fB 32.Wif6t c,t>e8 33.Wixg6t c,t>e7 The queen can no longer cover the h5 -
34.E!d1!+- square.
4-61 B. Grollemund - G. Flear

St Affrique 2001
29.i.d2!
The threat to come to the long diagonal is
particularly strong.
The game continued sadly for my opponent
with 29.ig5?? lLlh7 30.ixg6 fxg6 31.ie7
Wfg7 32.Wfh4if7 O- l.
29 ... tbh7
If29 ... Wfxb2, White follows up with 30.ixg6
fxg6 3l.ic3.
30.i.c3 Widlt 31.c,t>h2 Wid6t 32.E!g3 WifB
33.E!xg6t! fxg6 34.i.a2t
With a mating arrack.
•
On the Attack!
4-64 4-66
7 7
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
0
4-65 4-67
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
0
,'tIII'!
•
4-64 C. Flear - S. Schlander 4-66 R. Britton - G. Flear

Battle 2001 Guernsey 1989
17.g4! 14... 5!!

The most incisive. There are two ideas: freeing up Black's pieces
Otherwise, 17.Wfe4 (as played in the game) whilst opening up lines on the kings ide.
wasn't bad: 17 ...f5 (after 17 ... Wfg6 18.Wfxg6 15.exES .ixf5! 16.gx5 ~d7!
frg6 19.ixg6 White has a clear extra pawn) Getting out of the way whereas White's king
18.exf6 tDxf6 19.Wfxe6t !!f7 20.ic4 (the will be left in the firing line.
most effective would have been the pretty 17.gel gh3 IS.~fl §'hS
combination 20.tDe5! 'lWxdlt 21.@h2 with An extra piece is a minor point when one's
a strong attack) 20 ...tDd5 21.!!e 1 if6, and king is chronically unsafe.
White had an extra pawn, but in a rather 19.~e3 ~d4 20.~xd4 exd4 21.~g2 geS
complicated position. 22.8 ggS 0-1
17...\Wxh3 Is.Wle4 5
If 18 ... g6, White has 19.i fl winning the 4-67 G. Flear - Ni Hua
queen. Calvi 2007
19.exf6 gxf6 2o.Wlh7t ~f7 21..ig6t! ~g6
22.~e5t ~e8 23.Wlgst! .ifB 24.Wlf7t ~dS 25 ... cxb3!!
25.Wld7# This came as a shock!
26.gxc5 bxa2 27.ga5
4-65 G. Flear - P. Morris Alternatives are not better as 27.@b2 tDa4t
Oakham 1988 28.@xa2 tDxc5, 27.@c2 tDa4 28.!!c4 !!b2t
29.@d3 !!b1, or even 27.@d2 !!d8t 28.!!d5
34Jha5t! tDxd5 29.@e1 tDc3! all lose for White.
After 34.ix5? ib7 White no longer had 27... gcSt 2S.~b2 ~c4t 29.~xa2 ~xa5
any advantage in the actual game. 30.gd5 ~c6 31.gd7 ~fB
34... bxa5 35.WlbSt ~a6 36.Wlxast ga7 I don't believe that White could have held
37.Wlc8t gb7 3S.i.xf5! the following endgame.
The initiative will be difficult to resist. 32.e6fxe633.~g5 h6 34.~xe6t~f7 35.~f4
3S...~a7 39.gxb7t Wlxb7 40.Wlxc5t Wlb6 a5 36.~a3 ~b4 37.~a4 gc4 3S.~xa5
Otherwise 40 ... !!b6 is met by 41.ic8 Wfh 7 ~e4 39.g3 g5 40.~d3 ~d3 41.gxd3 ge2
42.'lWxa5t. 42.h3 h5 43.~b4 gh2 44.g4 hxg445.hxg4
41.§'e7t Wlb7 42.d6! ghS 43.d7 a4 44..ic2! gg2 46.gd4 grz 47.~c5 gf4 4S.~d5 ~f6
Stopping any counterplay. 49.ge4 ~e4 50.~xe4 ~e6 51.~d4 ~d6
44... gbS 45.dS=Wl+- 52.~e4 e6 0-1
•
O n the Arrack! ,
4-68 4-71
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
0
a b c d e f g h • 1
a b c d e f g h
4-69 4-72
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
0
4-70
7
6
5
4
3
2
• abc d e f g h
•
4-68 G. Flear - G. Wall 31.~d2 gc4 32.Wid3 gd4 33.Wixd4 exd4

British League 2005 34.gxc2 WixdS
White's exposed king doesn't give him any
19J~el! chance of resisting for long.
White brings the last piece into play. 35.ge1 igst 36.~dl Wixf5 37.f4 Wig4t
19... ~d4 38.~d Wixg3 39.ge8t ~h7 40.gcc8
If 19 ... a5, White has 20.llJxe4! fxe4 21.~xe4 Going for a final trap before throwing in the
and the anack is decisive. towel.
20.ixe4! fxe4 2Uhe4 Wig7 4O ...ixf4t 41.~b2 Wixglt 42.~a3 Wih3t
After 21 ... LOf3t, White sidesteps with 43.~a4 WixhS 0-1
22.@g2! when his threats are too strong.
22.ixd4 Wig6 23.Wixg6t hxg6 24J~h4 1-0 4-71 L. Basora Pascual- G. Flear
Port Barcares 2010
4-69 N. Sulava - G. Flear
Avignon 2005 23 ...ixh3! 24.~xh3 gxh3t 25.c.t>xh3 ghSt
26.~g3 Wih4t 27.~f3 Wih2! 28.gg1
18.g4! Here 28. @e3 is the most robust defence, but
The most unpleasant for Black, as the threat after 28 ...!!h3t 29.Wf3 !!xf3t 30.@xf3 Wxb2
to lift a rook to h3 decides the game. Black should win.
18 ... ic8 19J~f3 Wid7 28 ... gh3t
If 19 .. . h6, White crashes through with Black won quickly in the game (see Exercise
20..ixh6 gxh6 21.!!f6 @g7 22.~e4. 1- 36).
20.gh3 h6 21.e6!
The coup de grace. 4-72 G. Flear - S. Buscara
21 ...Wid6 22.ixh6! gxh6 23.Wixh6 1-0 Lanes 2005
4-70 E. Prie - G. Flear 37...U4t!

Perpignan 2004 A powerful resource! Black opens up White's
king to the winds.
25 ... gc3! The game continued with 37 ... Wgl t??
A tactical shot that wins a valuable tempo. 38.@h3 Wfl t 39.@h4 and Black had run out
For the record, it seems that 25 ...!!c5 is also of checks. The final moves were then 39 ... @f5
unpleasant for White, albeit not as strong as 40.!!xf7t <j{e4 41.Wb4t id4 42.Wb7t @d3
the move played in the game. 43.!!d7 @c3 44.Wb3#.
26. Wie4 gac8! 27.bxc3 38.U4
The alternative 27.!!cl is well met by If38.@xf4, Black can even deliver mate with
27 .. .ig5, when White doesn't have any better 38 ... g5t! 39.@f3 g4t 40.@f4 e5t 41.@xg4
than 28.f4 !!xcl t 29.!!xcl !!xcl t 30.@xcl Wg2t 42.<j{h4 Wxh2t 43.@g4 Wg2t 44.@h4
exf4 31.ixf4 ~xf4t 32.Wxf4 Wxd5 with a !!h 1#.
miserable endgame. 38.. J:&d3t 39.ie3 WigH! 40.~h3 ~e3t!
27 ... bxc3t 28.~c2 Wib2t 29.~d3 c2 30.gc1 41.fxe3 Wixe3t 42.~gl Wie4t 43.~g3 Wixb7
WibSt! Black has a winning endgame
The most precise.
•
On the Attack!
4-73 4-75
8 8
7 7
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
4-74
o
abc d e f g h
•
4-73 G. Flear - K. Spraggett 27 ... §'xe3t 2S.~bl WlgIt 29.~a2 §'d4

San Sebastian 2006 30.:ae7 :am 31.:aeS §'xc4t
After 31 ...Vfff4, White continues calmly with
20...d4! 32.id5 threatening 33.Wfe7.
A pretty pawn sacrifice that exposes White 32.§'xc4:BxeS 33.§'f7:adS 34.g4 c4 35.§'xc4
on the light squares. :af8 36.§'d5 id4 37.Wlxb7 lli'6 3S.h4 :ab6
21.i.xd4 ixg2 22.~xg2? 39.Wlast ~h7 40.b4 :af6 41.§'e4t ~hS
The only hope was 22.i.xf6!, for example, 42.gSl-0
22 ...Wfb7 23.€le1 ie4 24.Wfa1, when Black White is winning after 42 ...hxg5 43.hxg5
has interesting compensation, but nothing gf4 44.'~Vc6 ~ h7 45.Wfc2t g6 46.Wfh2t ~g8
concrete. 47.Vffh6.
22 .. :~b7t 23.~gl ~e4 24.~el ~gS!
With some serious threats. 4-75 L Polugaevsky - G. Flear
25.~fl Wlhl t 26.~gl ib4 27.~e2 ixel London 1986
2s.ihel Wlxh2 29.:afl ~e4 30.lt:lf3 Wlg2!
0-1 21.b3!!
The threat oLlLlg3t is so strong that I White opens up lines on the wing where
resigned. the opposing monarch is a resident. Funnily
enough, on the other hand, White's centralized
4-74 G. Flear - J.P. Boudre king seems to be safe enough.
French League 2009 21...Wlb6?
If 2l...c3t! (the best chance) 22.lLlxc3 Wfb6,
19.d6! White has 23.'Mfb5 gxd4t 24.~e3! (daring!)
Sacrificing a pawn for the initiative, and thus 24 .. .gb4 t 25.Wfxb6t axb6 26.gab 1 lLlc5
putting Black on the back foot. 27.h4 with a favourable endgame.
19... itJxd6 20.:axd6 :Bxd6 21.itJxd6 Wlxd6 22.bxc4 :Bxd4t 23.~e2! :ae4t 24.~f3 f5
22.:adl Wle7 25.:ahbl
If 22 ...Vffc7, White obtains persistent White's attack is the more convincing.
pressure with 23.VfffS gd8 24.gxd8t 'Mfxd8 25 ... :af4t 26.gxf4 §'c6t 27.~e2 §'e4t
25.'Mfxf7t ~h8 26.id5. 2S.~dl :adSt 29.itJd6t ~c7 30.Wla5t ~xd6
23.Wla4 ib6 24.:ad7 WIgS 25.:Bxf7 ~hS 31.V9xdSt 1-0
26.Wld7 :adS 27.Wle6
Black's king is vulnerable whereas the white
counterpart can always hide on a2, thus with
queens on the board White keeps a clear
advantage. It's also worth noting the difference
in effectiveness of the respective bishops.
•
One of the most natural reactions, when shown a chess position, is to start counting pieces
and pawns. It's understood at all levels that the material balance generally weighs heavily on
one's judgement, but of course we shouldn't forget to take various other factors into account.
In any case, for those who are (in the chess sense!) confirmed materialists this chapter should
please you!
One learns quite early that winning material is often an effective way of increasing the chances
of winning a game. Indeed when one thinks about it, the majority of threats made during actual
play involve attempting to win a pawn or something bigger.
Sometimes the process of snatching material can begin with a combination involving a pseudo-
sacrifice. The idea then is to set in motion a sequence of forcing moves during which the attacking
side wins back his investment with interest.
So in Chapter Five you will be seeking a precise move, sequence, combination, perhaps a threat
or two, or even a simple capture, that ultimately leads to your side ending up with more material
than the opponent.
However, in the exercises that follow, winning something isn't always the end of the matter.
Indeed, in your own games it's wise to remind yourself not to relax after obtaining an advantage,
as the opponent will be at his most dangerous with his back against the wall. Sometimes, in
tournament play, it's even worth spurning the opportunity to grab material if it allows too much
counter play. In the exercises in this chapter, winning material is often linked to prophylactic play,
in order to get away with greed, while at the same time limiting opportunities for the adversary.
A term that crops up in the text is a desperado. This refers to a trapped and condemned piece
that manages to eliminate an opposing piece or pawn before its own demise.
Here are three examples to warm you up:
G. Flear - R. Britton
8 Leicester 1987
7
White is able to force thewin of material.
6 40.i.xg5! lbxh5
5 Otherwise 40 ... hxg5 loses quickly:
4 41.'tVxg5t Wh7 42.ltJxf6t 'tVxf6 43.'tVg8t
Wh6 44.g5t etc.
3
41.i.xe7lbf442.i.xd6lbd3
2 White has rwo extra pawns. The game
didn't last much longer:
0 43.g5 lbf3 44.gxh6t Wh7 45.bf3 ~gl t
a b c d e f g h
46.~xgl Ehf3 47.li:lg5t 1-0
J. Plaskett - G. Flear
Brighton 1984
8 My opponent found a powerful temporary

7 sacrifice.
6 21.lOxb7! Ehb7 22.%Vc3
White regains his piece and comes out a
5
pawn to the good.
4 22 ... d4
3 Or 22 ... f6 23.'tVxc6 with an extra pawn.
2 23.%Vxc6 %Vxc6 24J'hc6 dxe3 25J'!c5
lOh3t
0 Inferior is 25 ... g6 26.~f6 ltJe6 27.!hf5
a b c d e f g h gxf5 28 . .!xd8 ltJxd8 29.Bxe3, as White then
has all the trumps.
26.i.xh3 i.xh3 27Jhe3
White has consolidated his pawn advan tage,
but Black has realistic drawing chances with
the presence of opposite-coloured bishops.
So, Plaskett's combination was correct,
but it's not clear that the resulting advantage is
enough to win.
•
Pinching Pieces and Pawns
G. Flear - C. Garcia Palermo

8
Szirak 1986
7
6 Here there is no flashy combination, just a
5 precise series of moves:
19.ixc6! bxc6 20J3d6
4
White has two threats, 2 Uhh6t and
3 21.l:!ed 1, leading, at the very least, to a
2 significant material gain, so my opponent
resigned.
0 1-0
a b c d e f g h
•
Exercises
5-1 5-4
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
5-2 5-5
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
0
5-3 5-6
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0 0
•
5-1 P. Hutchinson - G. Flear 5-4 G. Flear - J. Porte

Derby 1987 Ales 2003
13... gxf4 14.exf4 .lxf4! 13.ig5

White dare not capture the bishop: 15.gxf4 The disposition of Black's forces doesn't allow
~h4t 16.~e2 ~f2t. him to fully parry the direct threats.
15..lxe4 .lxe416J!f1 .ld6 17.li:ld2 fS 13... g6
With an e>.:tra pawn and excellent game. Black could try giving up a pawn with
13 ... ge8 14.~xf6 ~xf6 15.dxc5 ~xc5
5-2 G. Flear - G. Lawton 16.~xh7t i>f8 17.gad1, but there is no
Leicester 1987 compensation, for example 17 ... ~xb2 18.~a4
and White will win even more material.
23. lihc5! ltlef6 14.dxc5 ie7
If 23 .. .dxc5, the reply 24.~xc5 forks c8 and Or 14 ... bxc5 15.~xf6 ~xf6 16.~xd6.
f8, whereupon 24 ... tt.k7 25.d6lLlxd6 26 .~xd6 15.Wlxd8 gxd8 16.ltle5 ib7 17.c6
yields a big advantage for White. With a crushing position.
24.ltle6 ~xe6 25.dxe6 fxe4 26.Wlc7 ltle8
27.ltlxe4! WlfS 28.Wlb7 Wlf4 1-0 5-5 G. Flear - R. Kuijf
Black resigned before White had a chance to Ramsgate 1982
play 29.!h7!.
36.. Jhf4t! 37.exf4
5-3 G. Flear - O. Touzane Here 37.~el avoids mate, but loses a rook
Montpellier 2003 to 37.. .'r~hh1 t.
37...Wlg3t
35.Wlf6t ~g8 36.gg4t!
In the game, 37 ... gf3t? was actually played,
The pin on the f-file costs Black dear.
but the endgame was nevertheless winning for
36 ... fxg4 37.Wlxf'2 .ld6t 38.ltlf4 gxh3
Black after 38.~e1 ~xh1t 39 . ~d2 ~xclt
39.~xh3 h5 4O.ltlxh5 1-0
40.~xcl gxf4 etc.
38.~f1 gOt
Black mates.
5-6 E. Preismann - G. Flear

Lugano 1983
26.ltlxh7!
At the time, I was fortunate to get away
with a draw after 26.gxffi? gxf8 27.gd 1 h6
28.gxd3t ~e7 29J~e3t ~d7 30.gd3t.
26 ... gxe8 27.ltlf6t
Black may as well resign.
•
5-7 5-10
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
5-8 5-11
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
0 0
a b c d e f g h
5-9 5-12
8
7 7
6 6
5
4
3
2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
•
5-7 J. Viret - G. Flear 5-9 G. Pech - G. Flear

Laragne-Monteglin 2001 Narbonne-plage 2002
12... exd4 The e-pawn advance nets a piece ...

White has tactical weaknesses along the 21. ..e5 22.ie3 e4 0-1
e-file.
13.tihd4 h614.ih4 ~xe315.ifl ~e816.g3 5-10 G. Flear - D. Coleman
id7 British League 2003
With a clear pawn to the good.
17.b4!
5-8 G. Flear - J. Mourgues A surprise.
Laragne-Monteglin 2001 17...~a3
If 17 ...tLlxb4, then 18.tLle7t ~h8 19 .tLlxc8
29.Y;Yxa7! ~xa7 ~xc8 20.~xd6 with the exchange to the good.
It's even worse to take the rook: 29 ... ~xc2 18.bxc5 exd5 19.cxd5 liJa5 20.cxd6 Wfxd6
30.tLlxc2 '!!1xc2 31.'Mfxe7. 21.id3 b5 22.h3 ixa 23.Wfxa
30.~xc8 ~b7 31.b5 Black had no compensation for his pawn.
The position is clearly better for White on
positional grounds, as well as him having an 5-11 G. Flear - M. Pein
extra pawn. Brussels 1987
21.iO!
Black's pieces prove to be poorly placed:
21...~e8 22.d7 or 21...~xf6 22.'!!1xf6t Wh7
23.tLlxc6.
21. ..ixf3 22.tLld7! g5 23.Wfe3 Wfb7 24.liJxb8
liJxb825.liJxa
White won a few moves later.
5-12 G. Flear - J. Peist

Lugano 1988
17.~d6t! ~ffi
After 17 ...~xd6 18 .W!xd6 Black cannot take
the bishop because of mate.
18.Wfd5! ixd6 19.Wfxd6t ~g8
The e-pawn is doomed.
20.ixe5liJxe521.Wfxe5
White had no problems converting his
advantage.
•
5-13 5-16
8
7 7
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
0 0
5-14 5-17
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
1
0 0
5-15 5-18
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
0
•
S-13 G. Flear - S. Bell ~xd7 IS.liJe2 !'!ab8 16.b3 !'!be8 17.0 liJc3
Black pool 1988 18.liJxc3 !'!xc3 19.~d2 !'!e6 20.gac1
With two extra pawns.
20J~dS! W1a4 1-0
Otherwise, 2O ... .B:xd5 21.exd5t ~xd5 loses
a piece to 22.~xb4; whereas after 20 ...~xa2 S-16 M. Kazhgaleyev - G. Flear
21.~c6t! ~e7 22.Elhd1 White's attack is Aix-en-Provence (rapid) 2004
winning.
21.ieS heS 22JheS 16.liJxeS!
The threat of .B:c6t will cost Black too much An unpleasant surprise!
material . 16 ... dxeS 17.ixe7! !'!xe7 18.d6 1-0
1-0
S-17 G. Flear- G. Maupin
S-14 G. Flear - M. Rayya St Affrique 2005
Le Havre 1989
6.W1b3!
10.liJxeS! ixe2 l1.liJxc6 Forking f7 and b7.
Black loses a piece in all lines. 6 ...e6 7.W1xb7liJ bd7 8.W1xe6 gc8 9.W1a6 W1e7
l l ...ixdl 12.liJxd8 ihS 13.liJxb7 ib6 lo.id3 hd3 11.W1xd3 ib4 12.liJge2
14.eS dxeS Is.ia3 !'!ab8 16.liJxeS White has a two pawn advantage.
White is able to retain his extra piece.
1-0 S-18 D. Marholev - G. Flear
San Sebastian 2005
S-IS G. Flear - M. Fortea
Narbonne-plage 2004 9...ixh2t! 10.~xh2 W1xd4 1l.liJxd4 he4
12.!,!dl 0-0-0
8.ixe7 W1xe7 9.liJxdS! Black has won a pawn and obtained
Punishing Black for his slack opening play. a comfortable game, but converting the
9 ... cxdS lo.W1xc8t W1d8 1l.ibSt ~e7 advantage will be difficult with the presence of
12.W1xb7t liJd7 13.W1xd7t W1xd7 14.ixd7 opposite-coloured bishops.
I
'I
•
5-19 5-22
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
0
5-20 5-23
8
7
6
5
4
3
2 2
0 0
5-21 5-24
8 8
7 7
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
•
5-19 G. Flear - I. Stork 5-22 L Gachon - G. Flear

Marseille 2006 Montpellier 2001
19.ttJe6! ~xh7 32 ... gxb2t 33.~al gxa2t!

Rather than 19 ... fxOO 20.'~xg6#. The coup de grace.
20.ghl t ~g8 21.ttJxd8 ~d8 22.~e2 34.liha2
Black doesn't have enough compensation for Or 34.Wb1 ~b2#.
the queen, but was able to drag the game out 34... ie5
for a long time. The queen is pinned and lost.
0-1
5-20 M. Dziuba - G. Flear
Montpellier 2006 5-23 G. Flear - D. Ladau
Narbonne-plage 2002
40. ttJxe4! ~g8
The main point behind White's previous 18.ttJxb5! ttJc4
move is that 40 ... dxe4 is well met by 41 .'Wh5t Or 18 ... cxb5 19.i.xb5t.
Wg8 42 .~xg6. 19.ttJd6t ~ffi 20.~c3
41.ttJc3 ttJe7 42.ib3 Black is faced with the loss of a second
The loss of a pawn renders Black's task pawn.
difficult, and he was unable to save himself in 1-0
the actual game.
5-24 G. Flear - J. Plaskett
5-21 F. Kwiatkowski - G. Flear London 1986
Great Yarmouth 2007
22.ttJxe4! ttJxe4 23.~d5
36... ga2 37.ttJef3 The fork enables White to regain the piece
The white knights are not very securely under highly favourable circumstances.
placed, so creating an additional threat is 23 ... ttJf6
enough to tip the first player over the edge ... 23 ... ltJxf2? loses to 24.i.xe5.
37... 5! 38.g4 24.~xe5t ~xe5 25.ixe5 ttJd5 26.a3
If 38.exf5 , then 38 ... e4 and one of the steeds The endgame is probably winning for
is lost. White.
38... &.e4 39.gxh5 ex£3 40.ttJc4
White sheds a piece following 40AJxf3,
e.g. 40 ...!'hf2t 41 .Wg3 ltJe4t 42.Wg4 gg2t
43.Wh4 g5t 44.ltJxg51tJxg5.
40...gxf2t 41.~gl gg2t 42.~fl ttJe4 0-1
•
5-25 5-28
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
5-26 5-29
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
0 0
5-27 5-30
8 8
7 7
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
•
5-25 P. Piat - G. Flear 5-2S S. Smagin - G. F1ear

Bagneux 1986 Zenica 1987
17.. .ixe5! 25.!!xd6!

The possibility of a fork on f3 enables this Exploiting the fact that Black's queen cannot
combination to work. defend everything at once.
IS.f4 25 ...Wlxd6 26.ixc5 Wlxc5 27.Wlxf6 !!f8
No better is 18.i.xe5 Wxe5 19.Wxe5 t2Jxf3t 2S.!ldl
20.mf2 t2Jxe5 etc. White is well on the way to victory.
Is ... ixc3t 19.bxc3 id5 20Jhd5 cxd5
21.Wlxd5 e5 22.tXe5 Wlxc3t 23.~fl !ladS 5-29 G. F1ear - M Nezar
Black won a few moves later. French League 2000
5-26 G. Flear - C. Jost 16.ltJxd5!

Le Touquet 1986 A neat pawn grab!
16... ltJxd5
IS.ftle4! 16...Wxc2? loses to 17.t2Jxe7t mh8 18.!!xc2
A neat intermediate move that ensures the !!xc2 19.i.xc2 !!e8 20.ib4!.
win of material. 17.Wlxc7 !!xc7 IS.!lxc7ltJxc7 19.1tJxd7
IS...~e7? White regains the piece and is a solid pawn
Black also loses heavily after 18 ... bxc2? up.
19.t2Jxf6t rj;; e7 (19 ...md8 20.i.xa5t) 19 ... !ldS 20.ltJe5ltJd5 21.!lc1 !!c8 22.!lxcSt
20.t2Jxg8t. ftlxc8 23. ~fl
The way to limit the damage was with the In the game, White went on to win.
sad retreat 18 ...Wd8, which only sheds the
b-pawn after 19.t2Jxf6t ~xf6 20.~xb3 . 5-30 G. Flear - C. F1ear
19.t2Jxf6 ~xf6 20.ic3t ~e7 21.Wle4t 1-0 Narbonne-plage 2000
5-27 G. Flear - J. Gutierrez Castillo 20.h3!

Dubai Olympiad 1986 Black's position seems to be holding together
by a thread, so it's sufficient to create one more
2s...Wlxc3! problem and everything falls to pieces!
A bolt from the blue! 20 ... ltJh6 21.ixa6 c4t 22.Wle3
29.Wlfl White blocks the check whilst attacking the
The mates following 29.ixc3 !!b 1t and knight on h6.
29 .~xc3 ixc3 30.ixc3 !!b 1t are devastating 22 ... Wlxa6 23.hh6 !ld3 24.Wlf4 cxb3
from White's point of view! 25.hg7 ~g7 26.~hll-O
29 ... ha6 30.hc3 ixfl 31.hd4 cxd4
32.~gl ic4
Black has won a piece.
•
5-31 5-34
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4
3 3
2 2
0 0
5-32 5-35
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0
5-33
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
• a b c d e f g h
•
S-31 G. Flear - G. Krahenbuhl S-33 F. Tabut - G. Flear

Zug1985 Caen 1985
22.likS! 23 •.• E!xf3!

The knight enters the fray. At the time, I cracked up completely:
22 ...\WbS?! 23 ... Wie3t? 24. ~b 1 !l:h6?? (24 ...!l:d6 was still
After 22 ... dxc5 23.bxc5 Vf1a7 24.c6 Wic7 playable) 25.!l:d8t rtJe7 26.Vf1g8 Vf1f2 27.Wif8t
25.d6! White is on top, for example 25 .. .Wixd6 ~e6 28.ttJg5t 1-0.
26.Wixd6 ttJxd6 27.cxd7 ~xd7 28.~xa8 !l:xa8 24.gxf3
29.!l:fd l. Unlike in the game, after 24.!l:d8t ~e7
The best chance for Black would have been 25.Wih8, it's White who gets mated: 25 ... !l:fl t
22 ... ttJxc5! 23.bxc5 Wie7 24.!l:fc1 a5 25.!l:b6 26.~d2 !l:f2t 27.~d3 Vf1c4t 28.~e3 Vf1f4t
when Black avoids a loss of material, although 29.~d3 !l:d2#.
he would still be under some pressure. 24•.• \We3t 2S.E!d2 E!dS
23.ll:le6 The rook is lost.
The knight rules the neighbourhood!
23... !l:eS 24.!l:fc1ll:lb6 2S.ll:lc7 id726.ll:lxeS S-34 G. Flear - C. Morrison
ixeS Ramsgate 1982
White won easily.
34.ll:laS!
S-32 G. Flear - D. Pira Using the whole board!
Cap d'Agde 1985 34.•. E!d7 3s.ixcS! dxcS 36.E!xb7!
Black's disorganized forces are unable to hold
16.ixh7t out for long.
A thematic sacrifice, but here White is less 36... E!xb7 37.\WcSt \WdS 3S.\Wxb7 \Wd7
concerned about an attack than the win of 39.ll:lc7t <j;>£8 40.ll:le6t 1-0
material. The point is that the knight on b8 is
undefended. S-3S W. Wittmann - G. Flear
16 ••. <j;>xh717.\WhSt <j;>gS IS.\WeS d4? Graz 1984
Better was 18 .. .f6, but after 19.Wixb8 White
is just a clear pawn to the good. However, 20 ... ixc2!
Black would then have some hope due to the Exploiting a tactical opportunity to snatch
presence of opposite-coloured bishops. a pawn.
19.ixd4 f6 20.\WxbS ga6 21.ixeS
Otherwise, 2O ... !l:b7 21.Vf1d6 !l:d7? doesn't 2l.!l:xc2? isn't a wise option, as 21...ttJd3
work due to the capture on eG, 22.Vf1xe6t, with 22.!l:xe8t !l:xe8 23.Wigl !l:e1 leaves Black with
check. an even greater material advantage.
21.gadl \We7 22.\WbS \WeS 23.\Wxe8 E!xe8 21...E!xeS 22.E!xeS £XeS 23.E!xeS E!eS
24.ic3 24.E!xe8t \Wxe8 2S.h3 \Welt 26.<j;>h2 \WeSt
White had few problems converting his Black has decent winning chances but, in the
advantage. game, my opponent's stubborn defensive play
enabled him to scrape a draw.
•
5-36 5-39
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
5-37 540
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0 0
5-38 541
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0 0
•
5-36 G. Flear - B. Chatalbashev 5-39 G. Flear - C. Ward

French League 2001 Hastings 1988
19... lbxc3! 54...YlYe2t!

My opponent wasn't impressed by my The actual game ended in White's favour
attempt at a pseudo-pin along the a8-h 1 with 54 ...~c2t? 55.<;i;>h3 ~f5t? (A second
diagonal! error, as Black could still have held with
20.ixb7 55 ... e2! 56.!!e7 ~dl 57.<;i;>h2 ~c2 58.<;i;>h3=)
Better than 20.~xc3 ~xf3 21.gxf3 ~h3 56.g4 ~xf4 57.~bl t 1- 0.
22.e4 !!e6, when White would be facing a 55.~h3 ig4t 56.~h4 ih5
crushing attack. With two threats, i.e. mate on g4 as well as
20 ... lbxdI21.ixa8lbxf2! the rook on e8.
An example of a desperado. 57.'ffblt
22.~xf2 !!xa8 23.!!dl !!e8 24.!!d3 g6 If 57.g4 then simply 57 ...~xe8.
Black has emerged with an extra pawn. 57...ig6 58.gh8t ~h8 59.'ffxg6 'ffh2t
60.~g4 bSt! 1-0
5-37 P. Tregubov - G. Flear And wins.
5-40 G. Flear - G. Milosevic
22.!!d7t! Lugano 1988
A pretty deviation! Black loses a pawn
whatever he now tries. 14.ia6!
22 ...ixd7 Winning material in all lines.
Or 22 ... <;i;>b8 23.!!xf7. 14... lbxe5
23.lbxa6t ~d6 24.lbxb4 !!a8 25.!!dl t ~c7 Capturing White's bishop with 14 ...~xa6
26.b3 ie6 27.~b2 fails to 15.ttJxc6 ~d6 16.ttJxe7t and defending
White went on to win. his own by 14 ... ~c8, doesn't work either:
15.i.xb7~xb7 16.ttJxc6 '!f1xc617.!!xe7.
5-38 P. Guyot - G. Flear 15.ixb7lbg6 16.ixf6 ixf6 17.i.xa8 Wfxa8
French League 1987 White was able to use his extra exchange in
winning the game.
25.d6!
Opening lines whilst destabilizing the 5-41 G. Flear - N. Giffard
coordination in Black's camp. Paris 1988
25 ... !!xd6
25 ... cxd6 26.!!e7 is even worse. 22.lbxd6!
26.ixd6 ~xd6 27.Wfb4 Wfc6 28.~xf4 b6 Undermining the outpost on e5 and winning
29.a4 ib7 30.a5 bxa5 31.!!e5 !!d8 32.!!xa5 a pawn to boot.
1-0 22... lbxd6 23.ixe5 gxfl t 24.~xfl ixe5
With a winning attack as well as a material 25.gxe5 Wff6t 26.ia ~a8 27,ge2 l'ilf5
advantage. 28.Wfe5
And White won.
•
5-42 5-45
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
5-43 5-46
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
0 0
5-44
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
• a b c d e f g h
•
5-42 D. Gelis - G. Flear 5-44 G. Flear - V. Bologan

Lattes 2005 French League 2004
26 ... fLlxe4! 30... gel!

Removing the defender of the advanced A killing move!
white knight and so winning a pawn. Also promising is 30 ... ~xclt 31.Wxcl gel t
27.!he4 ~x5 28.geel 32.Wc2 lLlxf3 33.ixf8 gf1! with a clearly
28.~e2 is best met by 28 ...ged8!, e.g. 29~xe5 advantageous endgame.
(29.lLlxe5 ixfLt!) 29 ...ixfLt! 30.Wxf2 gd2. White resigned here, as there is no hope
28... f6 29.e5 i.e7 after:
Black went on to win. 31.gdc3
Or 31.gxe 1 lLlxf3.
5-43 G. Flear - D. Collas 31...liJxf3 32.gxe4 liJd2t 33.~al t!bxe4
St Affrique 2004 34.gxel ~g7
White is a piece down!
24.gxd5!
This, along with correct follow-up, 5-45 R.M. Taylor - G. Flear
demolishes Black's central outpost. French League 2004
24... exd5 25.YlYxd5t ~h8 26.i.£3!
White emerges a pawn up. 29 ... e4!
Instead 26.ig4? doesn't work because of The white pieces are not stable.
26 ... lLle3!. 30.dxe4
26...g6 Or 30.ic2 cxd3t 31 ~xd3 f5 32.lLled2 e4
If 26 ... gb8 27.gxb8 ~xb8, there is 28.~xf5 and White drops a piece!
which incidentally defends the b1-square. 30 ... i.xe4 31.cxb5 t!be5 32.i.e4 i.x£3t
27.~xa8 YlYxa8 28.i.xa8 gxa8 33.~xf3 4.:la4 34.i.b3li)b6
The pawn up pseudo-endgame is highly It's a higher priority to block the passed
favourable, but some technical difficulties pawns than to win further material.
remain. 35.e4li)d7 36.i.a2 f5 37.~e3 e4 38.b3 i.c3
29.gb7 39.i.bl ~d6 4O.i.e2 ~e5 41.i.dl i.d4t
More precise is 29.g4 lLld6 30.id4. 42.~e2 i.e5 43.£3 ~d4 44.fxe4 fxe4 45.i.e2
29..J::ie8 30.gb3 gd8 31.g4 fLle7 32.i.d4 li)e5 46.i.bl li)d3 0-1
~g8 33.i.xf6 gdl t 34.~tl fLld5 35.i.e5
rtd2t 36.~g3 gxal 37.e4 t!be7 38.gb7 fLle6 5-46 G. Flear - S. Hmadi
39.gg7t ~ 40.ge7 Djerba 1998
Otherwise, White could continue with
40.gxh7, when 40 ... gc2 41.c5 gxc5 (or 29.~e8t gd8 30.li)d7!
41 ... lLlxe5 42.fxe5 gxc5 43.Wf4 a5 44.ga7 gb5 A nasty surprise for my opponent!
45.h4 gc5 46.Wg5!) 42.id6t Wg8 43.gc7 30...gxc8 31.gxc8t
gc3t 44.Wh4 enables a decisive king invasion. An intermediate move, that is sometimes
4O ... liJxe5 41.fxe5 h5 42.gxh5 gxh5 43.h4 termed a Zwischenzug.
~e8 44.~f4 ~d8 45.gh7 ga4 46.g:xh5 31.M~h7 32.li)xb6 1-0
i'!xe4t 47.~f5 a5 48.gh7 a4 49.h5 a3
50.ga7 gh4 51.~g5 ge4 52.~ gh4
53.gxa3 g:xh5 54.ga8t ~e7 55.e6 gh6t
56.~f7 gh7t 57.~g6 1-0
•
5-47 5-50
• abc d e f g h • abc d e f g h
5-48 5-51
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1
0 0
5-49 5-52
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
0 0
•
S-47 J. Plaskett - G. Flear The main variation is in some ways similar

Leicester 1986 to the one in the previous note, but not with
regard to the activity of the black rooks!
lS .. Jhh6! 2S ... !igS! 29.i.e3
The sacrifice is only temporary, as Black After 29 .~g4 gh6, White's pieces are so
rapidly regains his material investment and badly coordinated that he would have to senle
furthermore can count on gaining some for a draw.
interest! 29 ...!igg2
19.%Vxh6 e420.%Vd2 The counterattack is in place!
20.'ZJd4 is strongly countered by 20 ... ~g5 3O.%Vc6t <bbS 31.%VeSt <bb7 32.%Vc6t <bb8
21.~h3 ~d2. 33.%VeSt <bb7 ¥Z-V2
20...exB 21..ixB i.d7 22.ttle2 i.gS 23.ttlf4
i.xf4 24.gxf4 %Vf6 S-49 G. Flear- J. Nunn
As a general rule, in middlegames one can Szirak 1987
think of 'two minor pieces' as a slight material
advantage over 'rook and pawn'. Black has a White would like to profit from Black's
positional advantage in that his minor pieces vulnerable back rank and his loose knight,
are well placed to restrain White's rooks and but first has to resolve the problem of his own
create some threats of their own. king's safety.
The remaining moves demonstrate Black's 2S.g4!
su periority. Threatening the f5 -pawn while at the same
2S.E!b6 E!eS 26.E!ebl i.c8 27.<bhl ttle4 time avoiding any potential first rank mates.
2S.i.xe4 fXe4 29.!igl e3 30.fXe3 i.f5 Instead, 25.gb 1 e4 26.g4 (in effect inversing
31.!igS h6 32.!ig3 i.e4t 33.<bgl %Val t the order of the moves) leads nowhere after
34.<b£2 %Vhl 3S.!ixg7t <bxg7 36.%Vd4t 26 .. ..!:! b2!.
<bgS 37.!ixb7 %Vxh2t 3S.<be1 %VgIt 2S ... f4
39.<be2 %Vg2t 4O.<bdl %Vflt 41.<bd2 %V£2t Alternatively, 25 ... fxg4 loses material after
42.<bdl i.f3t 43.<bcl %Vxe3t 44.%Vxe3 26.gb 1; whilst if 25 ... gb2 26.gxf5, the f-pawn
!ixe3 4S.!ib6 !ic3t 46.<bd2 !ixc4 47.!ixd6 will be a major asset.
hS 4S.<be3 !ic3t 49.<bd4 !ia3 SO.<beS <bf7 26.!ibl f3
Sl.!id7t <beS S2.!ia7 !iaS S3.!iaSt <bd7 Black renews the threat along the first rank,
S4.!ia7t <bcs SS.f5 i.xdS S6.<bd6 i.b7 but this shouldn't hold back White for long.
0-1 27.i.f7! e4 2S.i.dS i.d4 29.i.xb7?
Superior is 29 . ~h4! (defending £2) which
S-4S O. Jackson - G. Flear is essentially winning, the point being that
Derby 1987 29 ... 'ZJd610ses to 30.gb8t ~g7 31.E!g8t ~h6
32 .~g5#.
26.%Vxf6t 29 ...i.x£2t 30.<bhl <bg7 31.i.xe4 !ie2
A natural move, but not the best. Hitting back!
Correct is 26 .~g8t! ~e8 27 ..bf6t ~c8 32.i.xcS i.xcs 33.i.xf3 !i£2 34.i.dS <bf6
(27 ...~d7 allows 28 .~g4#) 28 .~xe8t ~b7 3S.!ib7 h6 36.h4 <beS 37.gS hxgS 3S.hxgS
29 . ~c6t ~b8 30 .~xc4 which gives White <bf4??
the opportunity to emerge with a significant Simply 38 ... gf5 should draw.
advantage. Note that here the rook on a8 is out 39.g6 !ifl t 40.<bh2 !i£2t 41.i.g2 !ie2 42.g7
of play. lies 43.i.dS !ie2t 44.<bh3 !ie3t 4S.<bh4
26... <bcS 27.%VdSt <bb7 2S.%Vxd7 lie2 46.!if7t 1-0
•
5-50 C. Bauer - G. Flear 5-52 M. Hennigan - G. Flear

Narbonne-plage 2001 Hastings 1987/8
17... lihc3! 17.ig6!!

A significant blow for White. A superb move that my opponent failed to
18.li)xc3li)d4 19.1i)xd4 hd4 20.id2 find.
Nor does 20.i.b2 retain the piece: 20 .. J'k8 The game actually continued with 17.E:xf8t?
21.~d2 (21.lLld1 ~g5) 21...~c7 22.i.b3 E:xf8 18.i.e4 exd4 19.cxd4 d5 20.h3 i.c8
i xc3 etc. 21 .i.d3 i.xh3 with no problems for Black.
20..Jlc8 2I.ib3 hc3 22.E:ac1 ixd2 17...~xg6
23.~xd2 Wtd6 Nor does Black save his pawn with 17 ...i.xf3
With a clear pawn more. 18.E:xf8t E:xf8 19.i.xh5 i.xd1 20.E:xdl.
Unfortunately, my opponent resisted well 18.li)h4! Wth5
and in time trouble I even managed to lose this If 18 ...i.xd 1, the damage is even greater, e.g.
position. That's life! 19.1iJxgGt Wg8 20.E:xf8t E:xf8 21.liJxf8 i.g4
22.lLlg6.
5-51 D. Sellos - G. Flear 19.~xg4 Wtxg4 20.E:xg4
Hem 1984 White has consolidated his extra pawn and
has a fine game.
15.ib5!
Weaving a web around the black queen.
15... li)e4
Otherwise, 15 ... cxb5 16.axb5 would be too
easy for White.
16.hc6li)d2 17.Wtc2?!
An instructive error from my opponent.
The correct choice was 17.~a2!, with the
point that after 17 .. .lLlxfl 18.i.xb7 lLlxg3
19.1Llc6 ~g5 20.lLlxe7t ~xe7 21.i.xa8 White
emerges with a clear extra pawn.
17... li)xfl 18.ixb7li)xg3 19.1i)c6 Wtxc3!
A fortunate resource!
20.tOxe7t ~h8 2I.Wtxc3 tOe2t 22.~fl
li)xc3 23.ixa8 gxa8 24.a5 bxa5 25.E:a3
to b5 26.E:xa5 a627.tOc6
White has been restricted to a small
advantage.
•
hapter &
The expression tactical weakness often refers to a piece that is misplaced. Get in the habit of
looking out for any in your opponent's camp, while avoiding them in yours. Exploiting them may
involve a direct win of material, or gaining precious time with a series of threats.
Even when there doesn't seem to be any immediate cause for alarm, having an undefended or
vulnerably-placed unit, can cause serious problems elsewhere. If a tactical fl urry breaks out, having
one fighting unit that is a hindrance rather than an asset can make all the difference.
Wise men often advise us to make the effort to improve our 'worst placed piece', and in this
chapter we will be taking a close look at the consequences when somebody has forgotten to do
just that!
•
Punishing Precariously Placed Pieces
M. Drasko - G. Flear
Montpellier 2000
8
7 27... bS!
The rook is ensnared!
6
28.axb6t ~xb6
5 White then was able to put up some
4 resistance with ...
3 29JkS AxeS 30.~xeS ga8 31.~e6t <j;ld6
32.~xg7 as
2
... but the damage had been done, and he went
• a b c d e f g h
on to lose a few moves later.
K. Kojder - G. FIear
Kecskemet 1982
8
Black's pieces are clumsily placed, and White
7 immediately exploits their unfortunate
6 configuration.
5 26.h4! ~ge6 27.~f5 ~h5
If27 ...!&g6 then 28.ltJe7t.
4
28.gxeS!
3 The knight on e6 and bishop on ffi are both
2 overloaded.
28...AxeS 29.~xg7 1-0
0 And wins.
a b c d e f g h
•
G. Flear - B. Kouatly
French League 1989
The knight on b4 is vulnerable and this leads

to a general malaise in the black camp.
14.a3! c4
Aiming, if given time, to leap to the d3-
square.
15.axb4!
Naturally, not allowing the opponent to do
what he wants!
15 ...'I1:Yxal 16.liJd4
The complications have left the queen
trapped in the corner, and Black now has to
o make concessions to stave off an immediate
disaster.
abc d e f g h
16 ... a517.b5
Following 17.lLJc2!? axb4 18.lLJxa1 bxc3,
there would be some, but not really enough,
compensation for the queen.
17... ixd418.'I1:Yxd4 f6
(diagram)
19.d6!
Although Black is now (just about) able to
save his queen, White's attention has already
turned to Black's denuded kingside.
19 ... e6 20.'I1:Yxc4 a4
After 20 .. .gfe8 21.~e2 gac8 22 ..if4 the
queen is doomed after all.
21.'I1:Yxe6t gO 22.liJd5 a3 23.bxa3 liJe5
If 23 ...~e5, White has 24.lLJe7t Wg7
25.~xd7.
o 24.,tf4
abc d e f g h The losses are too heavy, as White threatens
both lLJxf6 and the queen.
1-0
•
,•
Exercises
6-1 6-4
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0
6-2 6-5
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
0
6-3 6-6
8
7 7
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
•
6-1 P. Harikrishna - G. Flear 6-4 P. Donelly - G. Flear

Hastings 2002/3 Narbonne-plage 2006
26.fiJbl! 22 ... fiJ d4!

Trapping the rook. The game then finished The discovered attack on the rook wins the
with ... exchange.
26.. .i.xb3 27.fiJxd2 ixa2 2S.fiJf4 fiJbd5 23.fiJxd4 ~xa6 24.fiJxb5 e6 25.fiJd4 ~xe2
29.fiJg6t <j(gS 30.ga3 ge2 31.gxa2 gxd2 261he2 e5 27.fiJf3 e4 2S.fiJd4 e5 29.fiJe2
32.gxa71-0 gb6 30.b4 cxb4 31.fiJxb4 d4 32.<j(fl gaS
33.<j(e1 gd6 34.fiJxe4 dxc3! 35.fiJxd6 ga1#
6-2 G. Flear - D. Griffin
Uppingham 1988 6-5 R. Coste - G. Flear
Narbonne-plage 2010
32.id2! g4b5 33.a4
The rook doesn't have any good squares. 23 ... gb4!
1-0 White loses a piece in all lines, for example
24.1&d3 c4 or 24.1&e2 1'hb3 25.gxb3 i.xc3.
6-3 C. Vaugeois - G. Flear 24.gxb4 exb4 25. ~xb4 ~xb4 26.gxb4 gxc3
Le Havre 1989 0-1
37... b5! 6-6 G. Flear - O. Toeehioni

Giving a pawn in order to get at the poorly St Vincent 2000
placed rook on c3.
3S.gxa5 <j(b6 39.ga1 b4 40.gxa6t ~a6 17.fiJe6! ~e5 lS.fiJe4
41.ge4 <j(b5 42.c3 ga7 The queen is lost.
White doesn't have enough compensation lS...~xc1t
for the exchange. 18 .. :t~·d5 fails to 19.1Llxe7t; whilst if
43.d4 exd4 44.cxd4 cxd4 45.gxd4 ge2t 18 ...lLld4, then the clearest is 19.1Llxc5lLlxf3t
46.fiJd2 gxb2 47.g3 <j(e5 4S.gd3 gal 49.h4 20.gxf3 with an extra piece.
gxh4 50.gxh4 gd1 51.<j(e3 gdxd2! 19.i.xc1 fiJxc1 20.ia6
Simplest. Black's rooks are dominated.
52.gxd2 gxd2 53. ~d2 <j(d4 54.gS fxgS 20 ... gae8 21.0-0 fiJb3 22.gd1 ih6 23.h3
55.hxg5 g6 0-1 <j(g7 24.fiJxe7! <j(hS
Or 24 .. .!he7 25.'tVf6t ~ g8 26.1&xe7.
25.fiJe6 fiJd7 26.fiJd6 fiJbc5 27.fiJxe8 gxe8
2S.ie21-0
•
6-7 6-9
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
6-8 6-10
o o
abc d e f g h abc d e f g h
•
6-7N. Pert- G. Flear 6-9 G. Flear - B. Radnoti

British League 2003 Fonyod 1982
71. ..i£1! 72.~b2 ~g5! 22 ... ~at!

White resigned. Black rounds up the knight Wins the exchange!
whilst keeping at least one of the pawns: My opponent thought for half-an-hour
73.~xh5 before playing 22 .. .g6? and I managed to
Alternatively, 73. \t>c2 \t>g6 and 73.lLle8 ~xe8 hold the game: 23.Wh2 lOc6 24J!xd8t ~xd8
74.Wb3 <j,lg4 75.<j,lxb4 \t>xg3 are no better. 25 .~d5 ~f6 26 . ~xc6 vtlxc6 27.~d1 ~f6
73 ... ~xh5! 28.\Wd2 ~e5t 29.f4 ~xe4 30.\Wd8t Wg7
The rest is trivial. 31.~xc7~d4 32.b3 vt!b4 33.~e5tf634.~e3
74.~c2 ~g4 75.~b2 ~xg3 76.~c2 ~a '12-'12.
77.~b2 ~e3 78.~c2 ~d4 79.~b2 ~d3 23.gxf3
80.~bl ~c3 81.~al b3 82.~bl ig6t 23.vtlxf31!xd2 isn't any better.
83.~c1 b2t 84.~dl bl=~t etc. 23 ...~g5t 24.~f1 gxd2
With a clear extra exchange.
6-8 C. Flear - M. Sadler
Barnsdale 1989 6-10 I. Argandona Riveiro - G. Flear
Montpellier 2005
19.ib5! ~b8
Passive, but Black has a difficult choice, e.g. 17.~fl!
19 ... lOf6? 20.lOxg5 or 19 ... l3f7 20.~xd7l3xd7 Black's pieces are shown to be on awkward
21.lOe5 l3c7 22.l3f7t \t>h8 23.l3afl with a squares.
decisive attack. 17...ixe5
20.~xg5 ~xg5t 21.~hl Following 17 ...~f5 18.g4 vtlf6 19.95 ~f5
Black lacks defenders. 20.gxh6 gxh6, Black has nothing much for the
21. .. ic8 22.~d6 gd8 23.~c7t id7 24.e4! piece.
~e7 25.gael dxe4 26.~b7 ~c6 27.ixc6 18.~xh3 ixal 19.~g5 id4 2o.ixd4 ig4
l3ab8 28.~xa7 e3 29.ia ga8 3O.~c7 1-0 21.ixg7!? ixdl 22.gxdl ghg8 23.ixh6
l3d6 24.~x£1 gf6 25.~e5l3xh6
The pseudo-endgame is probably lost for
Black.
26.~g2 b6 27.gd2 gf6 28.~a h5 29.~e4
gd8 30.gfl gMt 31.~e3 goo 32.h3 ~d8
33.b4 ~e7 34. bxc5 bxc5 35.l3b2 gd836.gb7
l3c8 37.g4 hxg4 38.hxg4 gb6 39.ga7 ~d6
40.a4 ~e7 41.g5 1-0
•
Punishing Precariously Placed Pieces ,
•
6-11 6-13
8 8
7 7
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0 0
6-12 6-14
8 8
7 7
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
0
1
.,
6-11 V. Hrivnak - G. Plear 29.id5!

Cappelle-la-Grande 1986 The knight is surrounded.
29 .•.:8.ad7
24. It:l e6! Or 29 ... :8.xd5 30.:8.c8t.
A surprise! 30.:8.g6!
Instead 24.:8.e2 is ineffective as Black's queen Mate is close.
escapes with 24 ... Wa3 25.:8.a1 Wc5. 30.•. ~f.3t 31.~h1 ~e5 32.:8.xe5 :8.xd5
24..•Wlxc2 33.:8.e8t !!xe8 34.Wlxg7#
After 24 ...:8.8f7, then 25.:8.e2! would indeed
be the move: 25 ...:8.xe6 26.:8.xe6 ~xe6 27.:8.a1 6-13 G. Plear - L. Smart
etc. Ramsgate 1982
25.Wlxc2 ixc2 26.lt:lxfB ~xfB
Black has two pawns for the exchange, but is 29.~e5t!
under pressure as White's rooks are so active. Black's king is forcibly exposed.
27.IHe1 g5 28.!!e8t ~g7 29JHe7t EH7 The inferior 29.Wxc8? tLJxb1 30.\Wg4 is only
30Jhf7t ~xf7 31.:8.b8 b5 32.:8.b6 ixb3 about equal.
33J3xc6 a5 34Jhd6 a4 35J;a6 ~e7 36.~fl 29 •.. gxf5 30.~xf5t ~f6
b4 37.~e1 a3 38.~d2 ic4 39.:8.a4 a2 More resistant than 30... mf8 31.\Wxc8# or,
40.~c2 ~d6 41.~b2 ~c5 42.:8.a5t ~d4 for that matter, 3O ... mg6 31.\W g3t with mate
43Jhg5 b3 44.!!a5 ~d3 45.f4 ~e3 46.5 in two.
~fl47.g4 h6 48.:8.c5 1-0 31.Wlxc8lt:lxf5
Now, if 31...tLJxb1, White has 32.Wh8t mg5
6-12 G. Plear - J. Emms 33.tLJxd4 \Wa6 34.h4t! with a crushing attack.
Nottingham 1987 32.Wlx5t ~g7 33.Wlg4t ~f6 34.Wl5t ~g7
35.Wlg5t @f8 36.:8.c1 WlbS 37.Wlh6t ~g8
28.a4! 38.Wlh3lt:lc4 39.Wlg4t @f8 40.e5! 1-0
Undermining the knight is the best way
forward . 6-14 S. Schlander - C. Plear
28•.. lt:ld2 Battle 2001
Instead, after 28 ... tLJb6, the straightforward
29.axb5 wins a pawn. White's pieces look at first sight to be 'well-
Otherwise, 28 ... tLJd6 is harder to refute, but centralized', but in fact they are just getting in
still doesn't inspire confidence. The following each other's way.
variations demonstrate Black's difficulties, that 12..• h4! 13.~a4 ixe4! 14.~ac5
result mainly from the lack of a stable central After 14.fxe4 tLJxe4 the queen cannot escape
outpost for his knight: 29.:8.dl :8.ad7 30.\Wc2! due to the threat of mate against c2.
(30.~h3? is however premature because of 14 ..• ~xf.3 15.ixf.3 ixf.3 16.~xa6 Wlc6
30... tLJe4) 30 ... g6 31.~h3 f5 (if 31...:8.e7, 17.lt:ld4 Wlxa6 18.lt:lxf.3 Wlxa2
White has 32.:8.dxd6 :8.xd6 33.:8.c8t) 32.\Wb3t Or the immediate 18...b3.
mg7 33.We6 bxa4 34.:8.dxd6! :8.xd6 35.\We7t 19.Wld3 b3 20.lt:ld4 bxc2 21.~xc2 ib40-1
mh836.:8.c7.
In this line, Black was obliged to advance
his kingside pawns to support the knight,
whereupon itwas his king that became weak.
•
•
6-15 6-17
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
0 0
6-16
6-18
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
•
6-1S C. Flear - S. Schlander 1) One example being 16 ...i.xd5 17.i.xc5

Battle 2001 gxc5 18.bxc5 'lWxc5t 19.'lWd4, and then it
would be time for a rook count!
26.g4! Will 27.ifl 2) Otherwise Black could try 16 ...i.h6, but
The queen is trapped. this doesn't change matters a great deal, as
27 ...Wxa 2S.Wxa i.xd4 29.Wg3 ~gS 17.f4 ttJg4 18.i.xc5 gxc5 19.bxc5 'lWxc5t
30.i.e3 i.xb2 31.gabl i.c3 32.i.cS i.xe1 20.'lWd4 yields a winning position.
33.gxel a4 34.i.c4 ~hS 3S.i.xb4 gf4 16... WxcSt 17.~bd4 i.xdS IS.ixdS?!
36.ixdS gxh4 37.i.f7 cS 3S.i.g6 Surely 18.i.b3!.
Certainly not 38.ge8t?? because of38 ... gxe8 IS ...WxdS 19.Wb3?!
39.i.xe8 gblt 40.Wh2 gh1#. It wasn't one of my better days!
3S .. J!fS 39.gS i.c8 40.a gb6 41.gxh6 gxh6 19 ...eS
42.ge71-0 And Black was better.
I think a lesson that can be gleaned from this
6-16 G. Flear - I. Nemet example is the need to keep fully concentrating
Geneva 1985 after winning material, otherwise...
31. .. g3! 6-1S G. Flear - A. Boyne

My opponent noticed that the knight on a4 Exeter 1983
isn't defended.
32.hxg3 Wdl t 33.~h2 Wxa4 34JH4 ~e7 19.ig4!
3S. Wxd6 ~g6 36.gxfSt ~xfS First of all, White attacks the undefended
White didn't have enough for his piece. knight.
19... gdS 20.~bS!
6-17 G. Flear - J. Duche Then he follows up by attacking the other
Clermont-Ferrand 1985 steed, as well as the queen.
20...Wxb2 21.~xc7 Wxc2 22.!'!xe2 EkeS
15.b4! 23.i.xd7 !'!xd7 24.iaS gdxe7 2S.,ixc7
A handy fork! gxe7
15.i.d2? favours Black after 15 ...'lWb6. White emerges with the exchange for a
IS ...Wb6 pawn.
If 15 ...'lWxb4, White threatens the queen 26.gbl 5 27.ex5 gxf5 2S.gb3 ~f7 29.ge2
with 16.i.d2, and Black will drop something, i.eS 30.ge1 ~ 31.g3 W 32.gebl as
e.g. 16 .. .'lWb2 17.i.c3 or 16... 'lWa4 17.dxe6. 33.gxb7 gxb7 34.gxb7 i.c3 3S. ~fl i.h4
16.bxcS? 36.~e2 ~ 37.g4 fxg4 3S.hxg4 h6 39.~a
The pin with 16.i.e3! would have been ~f7 40.~e4 i.c3 41.~f5 i.f6 42.f4 i.h4
correct: 43.ga7 i.el44.g5 hxgS 4S.fxgS ic3 46.g6t
~fS 47.~gS i.d2t 4S.~hS ~eS 49.gaSt
1-0
•
6-19 6-22
8
7 7
6
5
4 4
3
2 2
0 0
6-20 6-23
8 8
7 7
5 5
4
3 3
2 2
0
6-21 6-24
8
7
6 6
5
4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
•
6-19 G. Flear - J. Johansson 31.hxgS ltlxhS 32.gxhS ic8 33.gxh6 gxh6

IsafjorduriBolungarvik 1988 34.gg3t ~h8 3S.M! ie6
Black has a small advantage.
17.ltlxd6!
Exploiting the presence of a poorly defended 6-22 R. Tozer - G. Flear
knight on e7. London 1989
17... fxgS
After 17 .. .'~xd6 18.i.xc5, White regains 12.ltlxdS! adS 13.ib3!
the piece due to the pressure along the a3-f8 Closing the door on the queen before she
diagonal. bolts!
18.hxgSltlxgS 19.ixgS 'lWxd6 20.ie3 13.•• ltlxeS 14.c3!
Picking off a pawn. Another nail in the queen's coffin.
20 .. JH7 21.'lWxcS 'lWf6 22.d6 ltlf5 23.exf5 14.•• ltlxf3t IS.gxB ib4 16.gbl hci
ixf524.ih3 17.gxb2 hb2 18.'lWc2 if6 19.'lWcS id7
Some sort of a record, as this was the first 20.haS
piece on White's kingside to move! White won without difficulty.
24.. .i.d3 2S.'lWdS e4 26.'lWxa8t ~h7 27J;dl
'lWh4t 28.~d2 ih6 29~h2 ixe3t 30.~e3 6-23 A. Harakis - G. Flear
'lWf4t 31.~d4 'lWxh2 32.'lWdS %Vb2t 33.~e3 British League 2010
ih8t 34.ltlxf3 'lWe2t 3S.<;i;>f4 'lWxf3t 36.~gS
'lWe3t 37.<;i;>f6 'lW8t 38.if5 ~h6 39.fhd3 47 •.•if4!
'lWf440.'lWeS 'lWgSt 41.~O 1-0 The knight is cut off.
48.~c3
6-20 G. Flear - G. Gislason If 48.lLld8, then 48 ... e5 49. ~c2 e4 50.b3
Isafjordur 1988 ~d6 51.a5 ~d7 52.lLlf7 bxa5 and ... ~e7.
48 ... <;i;>e6 49.ltld8t ~d7 SO.ltlO
19.b4! Or 50.lLlb7 ~c7 etc.
The knight on d7 is the vulnerable piece, but SO ... <;i;>e80-1
first of all White has to 'invite' the other one The knight is doomed.
to move away.
19... ltlb7 20.ltlxc6 gxc6 2IJhd7 1-0 6-24 G. Flear - V. Domenech
Port Barcares 201 0
6-21 G. Flear - G. Andruet
Val Maubuee 1989 11.8!
Black loses a piece.
29 ... ltle6! I actually played the inferior 11 .~ d2?!, when
A shock as now White's queen is under in reply Black should have continued with
pressure. 11 ... f4! provoking unclear complications.
30.M? 11...ltlxg3
30.gxb7lLlf4 31 .h4 would have been a lesser If 11...i.xg3t, White has 12.hxg3 lLlxg3
evil. 13 .!!h2 i.h5 1 4 .~f2 Wfg5 15.!!h3 and the
30.•• ltlf4 knight is out of squares.
Instead of this tempting move, 3O ... g6! 12.hxg3 ixg3t 13.~d2 1-0
would have been essentially winning, e.g. This time, it's the bishop that is lost.
31.!!xb7 gxh5 32.hxg5 lLlc5 .
•
6-25 6-27
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
0 0
6-26 6-28
8
7
6
5
~: ~' ~;.~
~
i'.~.f•
~~ ~ ,~ ~
~ ~
a{,"~ i)~ ',~_',
~~'%~~"""~~'~
.t. ~
9A 8
7
6
5
IrJ~~~~~ t.~
4 4
~~ ;~ '%~~~
3 3
.... . ....
... 1 · ··~~,~ ~~ ,~ ~%",/.

2
W
0 1
a
~
b
~
~~
c d
~,'~~ .tm~
e
~
f
:
g h • a b c d e f g h
•
6-25 G. Flear - R. Audiff'ren 6-27 G. F1ear - A. Gilbert

Lattes 2009 Telford 1983
16.lilxf5! 18.e5!
The black edifice collapses. A combination that targets several loose
16 ... ixB 17Jhe8 gxe8 18.~xd5t ~e6 pieces.
19.ixe4 18 ... dxe5 19.1ildb5 ~d7
White has got away with two pawns. If 19 .. .!'!.xd2, then 20.4:lxc7 !'!.xd1 21.!'!.xd1
19...ge5 20.~xe6t ixe6 21.~d3! lilxd3 with the threat of !'!.d8t, as well as ttJxa8.
22.ixd6 ge2 23.gdl ic4 24.M gel 20.~f2 ~e7 21.~xc5!
25.gxcl lilxcl 26.a3 b5 27.b4 For the record, White is also better after
And White won. 21.!'!.xd8t ~xd8 22.~xc5 cxb5 23.ttJd5 i.e6
24.4:lc7.
6-26 G. Flear - D. Ladau 21. ..~xc5 22.gxd8t iffi 23.ixf6 cxb5
Cap d'Agde 2006 24.lt'ld5 ie6 25.lt'le7t ~xe7 26.ixe7 1-0
12.h5! 6-28 G. Flear - J. Purgimon

White shows no pity in hunting down the Andorra 1985
bishop.
12 ...if5 13.e4 dxe4 14.fxe4 i.g4 15.gh4 In this complicated position, Black's best move
f5 16.gxf6 lilxf6 17.gxg4! lilxg4 18.~xe6t is ...
ie719.~xg4 31. .. gc1!
With two pieces for a rook, and a good Mter the move played in the game, 31 ... !'!.e2?,
position. White ha s to play 32.'Mffl! !'!.d2 33.h4 !'!.xd5
34.hxg5 ~b7 35.Wgl with equality.
32.~a5~e2
The main threat is ... ~fl mate!
33.~d8t cj;>g7 34.~xg5
Mate is avoided, but the rook is en prise.
34...~flt 35.cj;>f3 ~xa6
With a clear advantage.
•
•
6-29 6-30
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
o o
6-31
o
abc d e f g h
•
6-29 G. Flear - A. Hoffman 6-31 G. Flear - D. Anic

San Sebastian 2009 Montpellier 2000
26.i.xb5! 15.li:la4!
White sacrifices a piece for two pawns on Cutting out any possibility of the queen
the queenside. It's worth noting that this idea retreating.
works, as the absence of the knight, sidelined 15 ... li:lg4
on h5, hamiica ps the defence. Neither 15 ...~xc4 16.liJb6 nor 15 .. .i.e6
26 ... cxb5 27.c6 i.c8 16.b3 b5 17.i.d2 ~a3 18.i.c1 't\Ixa2 19.1iJc3
After 27 ...i.e8, White continues with are playable for Black.
28.'t\Ic5. 16.i.xg4
28.li:lxb5 li:lg7 29.~c5 li:le8 30.li:la7! Another possibility is 16.i.c1 !?
It's more important to dominate the black 16...hg4 17.V!Yc2 i.e2 18.b3!
pieces than to capture a third pawn. The inferior 18.'t\Ixe2? ~xa4 19.b3 ~b4
30... li:lc7 31.b5 li:le6 32.~b6 q;e7 33.V!Ya5 wouldn't have been dear.
~b834.b6 18...i.xfI 19.9xf1
Black is out of useful moves. Here 19.i.d2? is dubious, because of
1-0 19 .. .l:;ad8 20.i.xb4 i.d3.
19... b5
6-30 J. Levitt - G. Flear If 19 .. Jhd8, then 20.i.c1 with the threat of
Plymouth 1989 a2-a3 .
20.i.d2 bxa4 21.i.xb4 axb3 22.axb3 cxb4
26.li:ld8! 23.gdl i.c5t 24.q;f1 i.e3 25.g3 c5 26.gd7
Black's king is denied the possibility of i.d427.e5
escaping by castling long! With a dear advantage to White.
The game instead continued with 26.b4? 27...a4 28.bxa4 geb8 29.V!Ye4 b3 30.~d5
cxb3 27.Ek5 liJd7 (27 ... b2!) 28.e5 't\Ib6 gfB 31.gxf7 q;h8 32.gxf8t gxfB 33. ~7 b2
29.liJd6t ~d8 30. ~f8t! Y2-Y2, in view of 34.q;e2 gd8 35.a5 i.c3 36.a6 i.b4 37.~e4
30 .. .liJxf8 31.l:;xf8t ~c7 32.l:;f7t etc. g6 38.e6 i.c3 39.a7 q;g7 40.~b7t q;h6
26 ...~e7 27.li:lxe6! g6 41.g4 g5 42.e7 gd2t 43.Q;e3 i.b4 44.~c6t
The alternative 27 ...~xe6 loses on the spot Q;g7 45.e8=li:lt 1-0
to 28.~ffit ~ d7 29.l:;f7t. A neat under-promotion to finish the
28.~f6 ~xf6 29Jhf6 gc8 30.gxg6 chapter!
White is winning.
•
Blunders are unforced errors, often resulting in dramatic consequences.
Naturally, we try to avoid making them, but unfortunately they will inevitably creep into our
play from time to time. Our adversaries will also make such oversights, but in order to exploit
them, you will need to latch onto a tactical point that has been overlooked!
There is generally no particular problem in cashing in when one's opponent kindly falls into a
prepared trap. However blunders are not always immediately obvious.
Stay alert to any tactical themes in the air, trust your instinct, and if you sense that one of your
opponent's moves somehow feels wrong, let your tactical imagination run wild!
I f you are ready and willing to seek refutations of your opponent's moves, you are more likely to
find one when it really matters!
A typical case is when facing a highly-ranked player, who is playing his moves quickly and
confidently. This doesn't mean he has calculated all the lines correctly! Don't trust your opponent
blindly, even the strongest GMs make blunders occasionally.
However, first of all, a word of warning. If you think that you have a great tactical shot available,
think twice and check your analysis again! Has your opponent just blundered, or is he setting a
cunning trap?
In certain exercises in this chapter, I will be asking more specific questions. Here are some typical
examples:
M.H. Pham - G. Flear

Marseille 2004
8
Black has just played 37 ... a5. A plausible
7 question could be: What did he overlook?
6 The reply is the manoeuvre...
5 38.lt'ld4t! ~c5 39.lt'lc2!
.. .when Black's pieces are poorly placed.
4
In fact, in the game I was lucky that this
3 oversight didn't cost me a piece, as I had a
2 resource ...
39... fi)a4!
0 ... but after...
a b c d e f g h
40J'hb5t! ~xb5 41.lt'lxa3t ~b4 42.lt'lc2t
~c4 43.lt'ld4
... winning chances were minimal and White
was able to draw a few moves later.
K. Arkell- G. F1ear
British League 2005
8
7 In the following example, my error turned
6 out to be fatal.
5 Here a possible question could be:
Black must choose between 40 .. .~h7 and
4
40 ...!!xa5, which is preferable?
3 Before making a definite choice, you
2 should calculate and compare these so-called
'candidate moves', just as you would do in a
• a b c d e f g h
real game!
40...!!xa5??
This (notorious 40th move!) loses on the
spot and, unfortunately, was the move I made
in the game!
In fact, Black should take his king off the
eighth rank: 40 ...~h7! 41.CUe2 (41.Wxf8 is
met by 41.. .exd4; while after 41.CUc6, the
bishop is no longer pinned and Black can
play the freeing 41.. .ia3) 4l...~f3 42.~xf8
!!d2! 43.!!e 1 f6! The game is about equal.
41.lt'lc6 !!b5 42.lt'le7t ~h7 43.'lWxfB 1-0
In the exercises that follow, you should first of all carefully read any accompanying text. Sometimes
a move is made in the diagram position, before you are required to make your choice, see for
example the first exercise .
•
Exercises
7-1 7-3
I played 18.ih3. Just after the time control, I rushed to play
How do you think my opponent replied? 41.gd3 in order to go to the toilet.
What was my opponent's reply?
7-2 7-4
My opponent opted for 28.li)d3, but why After my 42.VHf'l, my opponent didn't take
did he regret his choice? long to win. How did he continue?
•
7-1 G. Flear - M. Leski 7-3 G. Flear - C. Ward

Geneva 1985 Southend 2009
IS.i.h3?? 41.gd3??
was a dreadful blunder as after... loses immediately!
IS ••• ~xd4! 41.Wb3 was correct, with a certain advantage
.. .1 resigned! The position is hopeless, for to White.
example: 4 1... gcS!
19.ixd7 ~xb3 20.gabl ~d2 etc. ... and mate is forced.
42.gd2
7-2 L. Cernousek - G. Flear Or 42.e8=~ l:!cl#.
British League 2008 42M.E!c1 t 43.st>e2 'tYe5t 44.st>f2
44.~d3 allows mate in one with 44 ...l:!c3#.
2S.~d3?? 44 ••. 'tYxelt 45.st>g2 'tYxd2t 46.st>h3 E!hlt
is refuted by... 47.st>g3 'tYh2t 4S.st>g4 E!gl#
28. •.cxd3! 29.'tYxc8 'tYc2!
On the other hand, 29 ... d2? is a mistake due 7 -4 G. Flear - I. Gonzalez Menendez
to 30.~d6!. Spanish League 2005
3O.'tYxc2 dxc2
... and Black wins. 42.'tYf2??
loses quickly.
Better was 42.l:!d2 when the position would
have stayed unclear.
42 ...'tYe6t 43.5 'tYe4t 44.st>h5
No better is 44.Wf4 ~g2t 45.~h5 ~xh3t
46.~h4 ~xf5 47.~d4t l:!e5.
44 •.. E!xh3t 45.st>g6 'tYe8t 46.st>f6 E!h7
47.'tYc5 E!flt 4S.st>g6 E!e7t
And Black wins .
.,,-"
•
Bl under-bashing
7-5 7-7
o
Black has a serious threat. What should Black played 58 ...Wc7, but soon realized
White do to avoid a disaster? the error. So what's the problem?
7-6 7-8
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
0
a b c d e f g h abc d e f g h
What should White do here? I played 34... ~c6 and my
opponent had a chance to win.
How should White reply?
•
7-5 T. Meynard - G. Flear 7 -7 V. Moskalenko - C. Flear

Avignon 2005 Cap d'Agde 1994
37.l'k8t! 58 •••Y!fc7??
In the game, my opponent lost a piece: loses a piece to ...
37.<.!?e3?? !!b3t 38.Wd2 !!d3t 39.Wc2 !!xd6, 59.li:lxd6! 'tYxc4
and the game a few moves later. Neither 59 ... l2lxd6 60.~xc7 nor 59 ... ~xd6
37.Wg3?? also loses: 37 ... !!b3t 38.f3 !!b2 60.~xf7# offer any salvation.
and mate is nigh. 60.lbxc40-1
Possible is 37.!!c3?!, but after 37 ...!!xb4 the
position would be only equal. 7-8 P. Walden - G. Flear
37••. ~e7 38.li:lfSt ~d7 39.!l.c3! Cardiff 1983
White holds everything together and,
furthermore, retains winning chances. For the record, instead of my...
39••. g6 34••• li:lc6?
If39 ... l2le6!?, then 40.!!a3 !!xb4 41.l2lxg7!. ... thecorrect move was 34 ...!!c2!, for example
40.li:lxh6 13xb4 41.g5! 35.Wxd4 l:'!xc7 36.13xc7 J3xd5 37.~xd5 Wxc7
With a riskless advantage to White. 38.~xf7t Wd8 39.~g8t We7 40.~h7t We6!
with drawing chances.
7 -6 N. Devals - G. Flear 35.li:lb4!
St Affrique 2007 Demolishing Black's defences.
My opponent blundered in turn with
15.li:lg3! 35.!!xf7?? and after 35 ...!!xd5 Black was
White attacks two pieces at once! winning.
My opponent instead blundered at this 35 ••• 'tYa4
point with 15.!!d I?? ~h4 16.g3? ~xe4 and If 35 ... l2lxb4 36.!!c8t White mates.
then resigned. 36.li:lxc6t bxc6
15 ..• 'tYf6 16.ig5! 'tYxg5 17.'tYxe5 g6 18.li:le4 If 36 .. .<.!?xc7, simply 37.l2lxd8t.
White has a significant advantage. 37.13xc6
Threatening !!c8t.
•
Blunder-bashing
7-9 7-11
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
Black should choose between 34 ...!'9xe7
and 34 .. Jhd4. Which one is correct?
7-10 7-12
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
a b c d e f g h
Why was the move played in the game,
• a b c d e f g h
2S ... ltJe6, unwise?
•
7-9 G. Flear - A Muir 7-11 C. Flear - X. Parmentier

Uppingham 1988 Montpellier 2003
My opponent punished my previous slack play In the game, 34 .. :~xe7?? lost quickly: 35.Bxd7
with ... Bxd7 36.~c3t \t>g8 37.~c8t 1- 0.
23...VHxd2 24.ixd2 ia6 Instead, Black should have opted for. ..
...with a powerful pin. 34... gxd4! 35.exdS=VHt
25.liJxM Here, 35.Bxd4 ~xe7 36.Bxd8t ~xd8
The alternative 25.ic2 is too passive: 37.~xf7 would be similar.
25 ... Bac8 26.ibl liJe5 and Black wins the 35 ... gxdS!
exchange anyway. But not 35 ... ~xd8?? 36.~c3.
25 •..ixfl 26Jhfl ge2 27.ic1 gaeS 2S.i.c4 36.gxdSt VHxdS 37.VHxf7 a6
gel When the endgame would probably be
Black went on to win. drawn.
7-10 J. Iruzubieta - G. Flear 7-12 G. Flear - M. Godena

Basque League 2004 French League 2003
Instead of 25 ... liJe6??, I should have played 2S.••VHd3

25 ... axb5 26.axb5liJe6, which limits any white Pin and win!
advantage to a positional pull. 29. VHxd3 ixd3 3o.id2
26.bxa6! bxa6 Or 30.Bc 1 ia3 etc.
After 26 ... liJxc5 27.a7 the pawn promotes! 30 ... gc2 31.gdl gxa2 32.\t>e1 ixe2
27.gc6 Possible is 32 ... ic2 33.l:'k 1 ia3, but my
Black loses a pawn and essentially all hope of opponent found a convincing way.
saving the game. 33. \t>xe2 ib4 34. \t>d3 gxd2t 35.!!Xd2 ixd2
27... liJdS 2S.gxa6 gd3 29. \t>e2 gb3 30.gaSt 36. \t>xd2 \t>f8 0-1
gbS 31.gxc7t! \t>xc7 32.if4t \t>c6 33.gxbS The endgame is a trivial win, for example
liJe6 34.i.g3 f5 35.a5 fxe4 36.fxe4 gg5 37.'~d3 \t>e7 38.\t>c3 \t>d6 39.\t>d4 at5 40.g4
37.gb6t \t>d7 3S.gd6t \t>e7 39.gd5 1-0 b5 41.h4 a4 42.bxa4 bxa4 43.h5 a3 44.\t>c3
a2 45.\t>b2 \t>e5 46.f3 d4 47.exd4t \t>xd4
48.\t>xa2 \t>e3 etc.
•
Blunder-bashing
7-13 7-15
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3
2 2
o
If White continues with 10.~f3 ,
can Black capture on e4 with confidence?
7-14 7-16
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
0
White continued here with 17.~d3 .
Is this reasonable or bad?
•
7-13 G. Flear - H. Hamdouehi 32.ie7

Narbonne-plage 2003 Otherwise 32.Bxd5 cxd5 33.~c5 should also
be good enough to win.
I played ... 32... lie8 33.~e7
10.~8?? White is clearly winning .
... and quickly regretted my choice!
Correct in this position is 10.tLl ge2 0- 0 7-16 G. Flear - S. Shelev
11 .0-0 tLl bd7 12.h3 with normal development, Slanchev Briag 1983
and a small space advantage to White. 17 ~d3??
10... ~xe4! is an error.
Black can indeed lop off the pawn. Better would have been 17 ~d2 with a
11.~xe4 balanced game.
The point is that 11.~a4t ~d7 12.~xe4 is 17 ... ~xc318.bxc3 ie4!
refUted by 12...~xc3t. White must resort to Not only is any attack stopped in its tracks,
13.tLld2 to avoid dropping his queen , but he is but White also loses a pawn!
then just a pawn down . 19.~b5 ixbl 20.~xbl lixc3 21.ib2 lieS
11...Wxe4t IV;f;>f2 0-0 13.~e1 Wb414.~gl 22.~d3 ~d5 23.a4 lie7 24.~c1 lifeS 25.h3
ig4 id6 26.~a6 lixc1 27.ixc1 lie7 28.~8
White has no compensation for the pawn. ~e40-1
7-14 D. Collas - G. Flear

Montpellier 2003
23.id6!
Threatening both 24. ~xf8 and 24.~b4.
23 ... ~b5
It's even worse to move the rook: 23 .. J!fc8
24.~b4 ~a4 25 .~xc3.
24..bf8 lixffi 25.ixb5 Wxb5
With a difficult position for Black.
26.lifdl ieS 27.liabl Wa5 28.libc1 ib7
29.~g3h6 30.~e7 ia831.~e7~a6 32.liel
~a4 33.~d6 lie8? 34.~d7 1-0
The d4-d5 advance is coming.
7-15 G. Pearee- G. Flear

Cardiff 1983
31.id3!
The threat of mate on the back rank enables
him to retain both bishops.
In the game, 31.~xc6?? ~xc6 32.~c5 f6
33.Be7 Bb7 was insufficient to win.
31...f6
White now has a choice of decisive
continuations.
•
Blunder-bashing
7-17 7-19
• abc d e f g h
o
abc d e f g h
Black should choose between White has to decide between 39.1'!d4,
16 ...1&a5 and 16 ...1&b7. Which 39.e6 or 39.1'!d7. One of these three
one would you go for? is a blunder, which is it?
7-18 7-20
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
• abc d e f g h
o
abc d e f g h
Black should choose between 47 ...d3, White has three candidate moves,
47 ...1'!h4t 48.\t>gl d3 or 47 ... vtJf6 . One 13.tZJxb5, 13..ixb5, and 13.0-0.
of these three is a blunder, which is it? Which of these options is not advisable?
•
7-17 S. ArkelJ - G. Flear 7-19 E. Pigusov - G. Flear

Hastings 198617 Aosta 1989
16.. :~b7? 39.gd7??

The only good move here is 16 .. :~a5!, which A terrible blunder that throws away a
would offer Black a satisfactory position. winning game!
17 Jhe7! White could have won with either of the
A neat tactic to take control of the c5-square. suggested alternatives:
17...!he7 1) 39.e6 !!g3 40.e7 ~xe7 41.~c5 .
If 17.. :~xe7?, evidently 18..ixa6. 2) 39.!!d4 !!g3 40.'&xe2 dxe241.!!e4.
18.~c5 Wb619.~xa6 39... i'!g3! 4O.e6 i'!xh3t 41.Wxh3 ~xf2
White has obtained two pieces for a rook. 42.Wg4 ~e2t 43.Wf5 h3 44.e7 h2 0-1
19 ... c5 20.a4 gae8
Or 20 ...c4 21..ixc4 dxc4 22.'&xa8t ge8 7-20 G. Flear - L Nataf
23.'&f3 and White emerges with an extra French League 2008
pawn.
21.ib5 gel t 22.gxel ~el t 23.Wh2 ~e4 13.hb5??
24.lt:k7 c4 25.~xd5 ~d4 26.~e7t Wh7 I chose the blunder!
27.~f5 ~a1 28.~g3 e; 29.ixc4 ~xg3 Critical is 13.tLlxb5!, when the reply 13 ... tLld7
30.c~?xg3 g5 31.~b7t 1-0 gives practical compensation for Black, just as
in a Benko Gambit.
7-18 J. Parker - G. Flear The other try 13.0- 0!? b4 14.tLldl tLld7
Guernsey 1989 yields chances for both sides.
13...ixc3! 14.bxc3
47... d3? If 14 .~xc3, then again 14 .. .'&xb5.
Definitely the worse choice! 14...~xb5! 15.axb5 gxalt 16.We2 i'!xh1
The alternatives 47 .. J'!h4t 48.Wgl d3 and Black has too much wood for the queen.
47 ... ~f6! should both win soon enough. 17.h3 i'!a1 18.c4 ~d7 19.~b2 ga4 20.~d2
48.~h3! ib7
The threat of mate saves the game. White is helpless against the threat to double
48... Wf6 49.~flt Wg5 50.ga5t f5 51.~xd3 on the a-file followed by penetrating with the
gMt 52.Wgl ~c6t 53.i'!d5 c2 54.~e3t rooks.
Wf6 55.~e5t Wf7 56.~x5! gx5 57.~xe;t 0-1
We7 58.~e5t Wf7 59.~e;t We7 60.~e5t
Wf7 1/z-Yz
•
Blunder-bashing
7-21 7-23
o o
One should choose between 13.lLlxc5, The choice is between 2 n!b 7,
13.bxc5 and 130-0. Which is best? 27.1'!xg7t, 27.1&d3 and 27.1&b7.
7-22 7-24
8
7
6
. "."./"" "
5
4
3
2
o o
White has four interesting options: Which of 33.1'!xc3, 33.1'!b7 or 33.1'!b8t,
24i!c8, 24J:1fl, 24.@dl and 24.1&d5. would you go for?
You should select one that
leads to an advantage.
•
7-21 G. Flear - S. Milliet 25.if5 Wfe3t 26.i>f1 Wff3t 27.i>el Wfxhl t

Lanes 2009 Although the position remains complicated,
Black has a big material advantage which
13.bxc5?? enabled him to win the game.
What an oversight!
As alternatives go, I don't like the resulting 7-23 G. Flear - O. Jackson
position after 13.0-O? cxb4, as Black is solid Liverpool 200B
enough, and I don't really believe that White
has any compensation. The queen moves are the strongest options.
In fact, I should have chosen 13.lOxc5!, 22.Wfb7!?
for example 13 ... lOxc5 14.bxc5 i.xc5 (if I managed to avoid the plausible 22 ..!!b7??
14 ... i.xf3!? 15.i.xf3 e4 16.i.g2 i.xc5 17.'!!b 1 which loses to a cunning trap: 22 ....!!xc4!
I prefer White who can put pressure on the 23 ..!!xb5 i.xf2t! 24 ..!!xf2 (or 24.~h 1 .!!xe4-+)
centre) 15.'!!b1 ~a6 16.0-0 e4 17.lOe5 with 24 ....!!cl t 25 ..!!fl '!!cxfl #.
a complex position, which shouldn't be worse Possible is 22.~d3, for example 22 ... i.xf2t
for White. 23 ..!!xf2 .!!xf2 24.~xf2 .!!xc4 25 ..!!dBt <M7 and
13...ic6! White has an extra pawn.
Whoops! The knight on a4 has no squares! Finally, 22 ..!!xg7t?! ~xg7 23.lOxe3 ~xb2
14.ttJh4 e4 15.Wfb3 Wfxa4 16.Wfe6t i>d8 might be playable, but this is not so clear.
17.0-0 id5 18.Wfh3 22 ... Wfxb7 23•.!!xb7 ixflt 24..!:!xfl .!!xc4
With complications, where White is a piece 25.lhffit ~ffi
light! With decent winning chances after either
26 ..!!xa7 or 26.h3.
7-22T. Pasquier - G. Flear
French League 2010 7-24 G. Flear - S. Buscara
Lanes 2005
24..!!c8??
The worst of the four alternatives! I played the only one of the three that doesn't
Instead 24 ..!!fl! wins, as after 24 ...i.g1 win!
25 ..!!xfBt .!!xfB 26.~d1 ~e3 27.~f5! , it's 33..!!b8t??
White's anack that does the business. One way to victory is 33..!!xc3! ~fl t (no
Similar is 24.~d1! .!!adB 25 ..!!fl. Then Black's better is 33 ...~xc3 34.i.h6 ~cB 35 .~f6 etc.)
desperate efforts to obtain dark-squared play, 34.~g3 ~gl t 35.~h3 g5 36..!!cBt ~g7
before the d-pawn lands, fall short: 25 ... ~g7 37.~xg5t .
26 ..!!cB ~h5t 27.~ c2 d3t 2B.~d3! .!!xfl Another method involves 33..!!b7! e5
29.i.xfl ~dlt 30.~xe3 ~d4t 31.~f3 and (33 ... ~fl t
34.~g3 ~glt 35 . ~h3 ~fl t
White has an extra piece. 36.~h4 ~c4t 37.f4 e5 3B.~g5!) 34..!!c7 etc.
On the other hand, 24.~d5? is too slow: 33... i>g7 34.Wfffit?
24 ... i.f2t! 25 .~d 1 ~h5t 26 ..!!e2 i.e3 Necessary at this point is 34 ..!!b7 ~fl t
27.i.e6 ~g6! 2B .~xe5t .!!f6 and the threat 35.~g3 ~gl t 36.~h3 ~fl t 37.~g3=.
to invade with the queen gives Black enough 34... <1>£6
counterplay. Black's attack is now the more dangerous
24 ...ic1! (see Exercise 4-72)!
The only way to refute White's previous
move.
•
Blunder-bashing
7-25 7-27
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
o
abc d e f g h • abc d e f g h
How should White continue? Black should choose between
32... \t>f7, 32.. ..Ek6 and 32 ... ~b3.
7-26 7-28
o
How to exploit the space advantage? Black has four options to choose from:
27 ... lik8, 27 .. :~c7, 27 .. J3hd8 and
27... l3ad8. Which one would
you vote for?
•
7-25 G. Flear - N. Borne 7-28 C. D' Amore - G. Flear

French League 2006 Nice 1997
34. \tlxc4! 27...'Mfc7??

Otherwise Black would be better. Not good!
34 ... b2 35.\tlb3 bl='Mft Of the alternatives 27 ... !!ad8? fails to the
My opponent saw too late that the intended bombshell 28.!!e6!!, e.g. 28 .. .lLJe8 (or 28 ... lLJf5
35 .. .!!xc3t fails to 36.~xb2. 29.!!xf6t! ~xf6 30.!!xf5t gxf5 31.~xb7 etc.)
36.tiJxbl !!xbl t 37.\tlc2 !!hl 38.h4 \tle6 29.!!xd8 ~xf3t 30 .~xf3 ~xe6 31.!!b8 and
39.e4 g6 4O.!!c5 !!h2 the endgame looks too difficult for Black.
Following 40 ...~d6, White would continue Possible however is 27 ... !!hd8! 28.!!e6! lLJe8!
with 41.~d2 h5 42.!!a5 !!b 1 43.!!a7 etc. 29.!!c6 (if 29.!!xd8 ~xf3t 30. ~xf3 !!xd8
41.!!xc6t \tlfJ 42.!!c7t \tle6 43.\tld3 !!xf2 31 .!!xb6 !!xd3t 32.~e4 !!d7 33.c5, I think a
44. \tle3 !!g2 45. \tlf3 gd2 46.d5t \tle5 draw is the most likely result) 29 ... ~g7 with
47.\tle3 !!g2 48.ge7t \tld6 49.ge6t 1-0 chances for both sides.
Otherwise, 27 .. .lLJc8 isn't very elegant, but
7-26 G. Flear - D. Gelis holds things together, for example 28.!!e6!?
Montpellier 2005 ~xe6 29.!!e5t fxe5 30.~xb7 !!a7 (White
nevertheless retains some initiative, and Black
18.g4 ig6 19.95 ixg5 20.ixg5 'Mfxg5 must defend carefully) 31.~c6t ~f7 32.~d5t
21.ixd71-O ~f6 33.d4!? !!e7!.
White nets a piece. 28.gxd6!
Wins!
7-27 G. Flear - Y. Berthelot 28 ...'Mfxd6 29.'Mfb7t \tlg8 3O.'Mfxa8t \tlg7
French League 1999 31.'Mfb7t \tlh6 32.ge7
Black's position is hopeless.
32... \tlfJ?
Centralizing the king immediately turns out
to be an error. My opponent should in fact
have activated his other pieces first.
After 32 ...i.b3!, unlike in the game,
the exchange of rooks with 33.!!d6 is not
advantageous, as Black has 33 .. .1::k6 34.!!xc6
bxc6 35.lLJd6 i.xa4 36.lLJb7 i.b3 37.lLJxa5
i.d5 38.g3 c5.
The other possibility 32 ...!!c6! 33.!!d6 i.b3
comes to the same thing.
33.gd6! gxd6
If 33 ...!!c6, White is better: 34.!!xc6 bxc6
35.lLJd6t ~e7 (or 35 ...~ f6 36.lLJb7 i.b3
37.lLJxa5 i.xa4 38. ~d4 ~e7 39. ~ c5 ~d7
40 .lLJc4) 36.lLJb7 i.b3 37.lLJxa5 i.xa4 38.~d4
~d6 39.lLJc4t ~c7 40 .~c5! .
34. lthd6t \tle7 35.l£lxb7 ib3 36.l£lxa5
ixa4 37.\tld4 \tlf6 38.g3 ib5 39.b4 g5
40.\tle3 if! 41.l£lc6 1-0
•
Blunder-bashing
7-29 7-30
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
o
What is the logical result after the move How many of the following four moves
played in the game 28 .. .'~xB? are playable for White: 24.~c2, 24.~d3 ,
24 .~xc6 and 24.d5?
•
7-29 J. Campos Moreno - G. Flear 7-30 M. Lyell- G. Flear

Mea 1983 Plymouth 1989
The sacrifice doesn't work and leads to a decisive Th e game ended abruptly 24.i.xc6?? !'!e2t
advantage to White. The game continued O- l.
with .. . Otherwise if 24.i.d3?, Black has a pretty win
28...~xf3? 29.gxf3 gg5t 30.~hl ih5 with 24 ...!'!e2t! 25.i.xe2 !'!g6t 26.'it>h 1 !'!h6
... when my opponent reacted correctly... when mate is forced .
31.h4! Finally, 24.d5? !'!e2t! 25.i.xe2 '!Wxa4 26.dxc6
... giving some wriggle room for his king. Vl1xc6 doesn't give White enough for the
31...ixf3t 32. ~h2 gg2t 33. ~h3 g5 34.hxgS queen.
gxg535.e4! The only good move is ...
Another precise move, that leaves Black short 24.~c2!
of time for his mating ambitions. . _which covers the important second rank.
35 ...gfg8 36.~xg5! gxgS 37.gg1 Then after
Black is left with a miserable endgame. 24... gh625.\!;lhl
37... gh5t 38.\!;lg3 ixe4 39.gcel ig6 40.f4 ... the outcome would be uncertain.
g5 41.ge7 gfl 42.gxfl ixf7 43.\!;lh4 h6
44.51-0
The king is cut off.
•
Most of the exercises in puzzle books, and this one is no exception, test the ability of the reader to
find 'positive' continuations, generally starting from a position of strength.
Naturally, in our own games, we may find ourselves frequently on the defensive, so it follows that
testing resourcefulness under pressure has practical value.
So the first priority in the following exercises then is to avoid defeat, perhaps with a forced draw
or an equalizing continuation. At times, the best one can do is just minimize any disadvantage,
but at others a cunning rejoinder can even turn the tables.
The ability to calculate robust defensive moves, or similarly prepare a counter-blow, in order to
save the day, is an underestimated aspect of a chess player's skill. 1m proving your feeling in this
area should help you salvage many a half-point, or more!
Continue to seek any potential faults in the other camp, even if the opposing forces seem to be
better placed than yours. Once you have determined the whereabouts of the Achilles' heel, then
aim for this target!
Here are some examples to get you going.

M. Todorcevic - G. Flear
8
7 In an inferior position, my opponent found a
6 way to save the game.
24.'!iH6t! gxf6 2S.'lWxf6 \WaS 26J'he3! dxe3
5
27. idS
4 Black cannot avoid the threatened perpetual
3 check.
2 27 ... ie6 28.'lWgSt ~h8 29.'lWf6t ~g8
30.'lWgSt %-1/2
0
a b c d e f g h
G. Flear - R. Britton
Southport 1983
8
Here, you would have needed to find the
7
unique path to salvation.
6 39...'lWel!
5 Otherwise, the plausible 39 ... 4Jh3t?
4 40.i.xh3 WeI t doesn't in fact work, because
of 41.Wg2! when the king can wriggle out
3
of the perpetual: 4l...~g3t 42.Wf1 Wxf3t
2 43.i.f2 Wxh3t 44.We2 Wc3 45.Wf5! and
• a b c d e f g h
White's attack is winning.
40.gSt ~g6 41.ifl llJe2t 42.~g2 ~f4t
43. ~gl llJe2t
Drawing.
•
Decisive Defence ,•
•
G. Flear - F. Marcille
Narbonne-plage 2008
At this point, my opponent could have

8 combined arrack with defence ...
7 21...llJe8!
6 In the game, 21 ... g5? was insufficient, i.e.
22.!!bl gxh4 23.gxh4 lLlg4 24.i.xg4 hxg4
5
25.!!xb7 i.xh4 26.i.xc5 and White won
4 quite quickly.
3 22.!!hl llJd6!
2 The knight protects b7, and, by arracking
the c4-pawn gains a tempo.
• a b c d e f g h
23.c.t>d3B!
The counter-arrack gets underway!
24..lxc5
(diagram)
8 24... h5!
7 Also possible, but perhaps less convincing
is 24 ...fxe4t, for example 25.lLlxe4 lLlxe4
6
26.i.xe7 (26.i.xe4? i.xc5) 26 ...i.f5! (otherwise
5 26 ...lLlxf2t 27.Wc3 ~f5 28.!!xb7 probably
4 favours White, but this isn't that clear either)
27.i.xffi lLld6t 28.We2 ~xc4t 29.Wel lLlxf8
3
with dangerous counterplay.
2 25.hd6
• a b c d e f g h
Rather than 25.cxb5? fxe4t 26.lLl xe4lLlxe4
27.i.xe7?! ~c3t as Black mates!
25 ... Wfxc4t 26.c.t>d2 hd6 27 ..le2 Wfc5
With chances for both sides.
So in this example, in order to counter White's
queenside play, Black aims to exploit a potential
weakness in his opponent's set-up. Here it's the
fragile position of the king that enables Black to
fight back.
•
,•
•
Exercises
8·1 8-4
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0
I
a b c d e f g h • I
a b c d e f g h
8-2 8-5
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
8-3
8
7
5
4
3
2
0
a b c d e f g h
•
S-1 U. Hobuss - G. F1ear h2! 51.<it>xe2 hl='i« 52.<it>fl f5 53.id3 'i«Mt

Dortmund 1985 54.<it>e3 'i«el t 55.ie2 ~c1 t 56.<it>d3 'i«bl t
57.<it>e3 Wic1t 5S.<it>d3 g5 59.ic3 <it>f7
37.h3?? 60.id2 Wia3t 61.ic3 <it>e6 62.<it>d2 Wia4
A blunder. 63. <it>e 1 g4 64.fxg4 fxg4 65.id2 'i«d4 66.ifl
Instead 37.\1¥e2! was necessary, defending g3 67.ih3t <it>e5 6S.<it>e2 ~flt 0-1
both the e4- and el-squares whilst winning a
tempo! 8-4 G. F1ear - P. Capitanio
37...E!xe4 3S.lZlxe4 E!xelt 39.<it>h2 E!xe4 Narbonne-plage 2006
0-1
41... lZl d4?
S-2 G. Flear - M. Sharif A fatal error.
French League 1987 The correct move was 41 ... c3!, as the
following variations demonstrate: 42.~el
26 .. :~c6? (42.~e2 lLld4t! 43.~d3 c2 44.gc3 lLlb5
The only move was 26 ... gf8!, when White's 45.gxc2 lLlxa7=) 42 ... lLld4 (only now!)
best would be to take the draw with 27.\1¥xg6t 43.gxc3 (43.lLlb6 lLlc2t - as this comes with
~h8 28.\1¥h6t etc. check, Black has an extra tempo than in the
27.lZld6 <it>h7 2S:~f7t <it>h6 29.lZlxeS dxc4 actual game - 44.~d1 lLlxa3 45.lLlxa8 lLlb5=)
30.E!al-O 43 ... lLlb5 44.gc5lLlxa7 45.lLld6 gd8 46.lLlxf7
~ 47.gc7t ~f6 48.gxa7 h5 with a drawn
S-3 G. Flear - R. Willmoth endgame.
Uppingham 1987 42.lZlb6lZlb5 43.lZlxaSlZlxa3 44.lZlb6 1-0
31.YlVfl? 8-5 G. Flear - S. Conquest

I should have played 31.lLlf5!, for example Edinburgh 1985
31...gxf5 (also leading to a draw is 31...\1¥d1 t
32.~gl gxf5 33.~g5t ~f8 34.~h6t ~e7 21. ..Wixe7?
35.~g5t ~d7 36.~xf5t ~c7 37.\1¥c5t There was a better way to give up the
~b8 38.\1¥a7t ~c7 39.\1¥c5t) 32.\1¥g5t ~f8 queen ... 2l...gxe7! 22.~xe6 gxc7 23.~d5
33.~h6t ~g8 (but not 33 ... ~e7?? 34.~g5t) ~xd5 24.~xd5 gd8, when Black will pick off
34.~ g5t with perpetual check. the d-pawn and obtain full compensation.
31...YlVg4 22.ixf7t!
Even stronger was 31...~xg2t! 32.~xg2 Compared to the line in the previous note,
\1¥b7t. White gains an additional pawn, plus the
32.lZla ixf3 33.gxf3 YlVe6 34.id2 YlVe2 initiative.
35.<it>g2 YlVxflt 36.<it>xfl E!bS 22 ... <it>h7 23.E!xe7 E!xe7 24.E!e1 E!fS 25.E!xe4!
The endgame was clearly bener for Black. E!exf7
The final moves being ... Or 25 ... gxe4 26.\1¥c2 gxf7 27.~xe4, and
37.ie4 E!b2 3S.<it>e3 E!xal 39.M a5 4O.ic3 White should win.
E!h2 41.if6 a4 42.<it>d4 a3 43.<it>xc4 a2 26.lZle5 lZlxe5 27.dxe5 E!xfl 2S.e6! E!fl t
44.<it>b3 h5 45.ib2 E!xM 46.<it>xal E!hl 29.<it>g2 E!Sflt 30.<it>g3 E!d2 31.e7 E!gl t
47.<it>b3 M 4S.ie5 E!e2 49.<it>c3 h3 50.<it>d3 32.<it>a h5 33.g5 E!xg5 34.eS=YlV 1-0
•
Decisive Defence
8-6 8-9
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
8-7
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
a b c d e f g h
8-8
8
7
6
5
4
3
• a b c d e f g h
•
8-6 J. Gallagher - G. Flear 8-8 G. Flear - A. Kinsman

Clermont-Ferrand 1986 Nottingham 1987
23 ... ibf2t! 24.~gl 28...'lWe4!

Not 24 ..!'M2?? because of24 ... !!d1 t. A pretty resource!
24.. J'!dl t 25. ~xf2 IUs 29.gxf7t ~h6 30.gg1 gxg2! 31.gxg2 WieH
Black uses the pin to rescue himself from the 32.gg1 Wie4t l/:z-Yl
jaws of defeat.
26J3xfBt ~xfB 27.ibxh7t 8-9 L. Christiansen - G. Flear
Or if 27.Wf3 !!flt 28.We4 !!f2, Black has Szirak 1987
just about enough play to hold.
27 ... ~g8 28.ibg5 gd5 29.iba ~c5 30.a3 The game finished with 24 ... g5?? 25.lLlf6 1-0.
1/z_1f2 In fact, if Black finds a series of only moves
he can save himself, starting with ...
8-7 G. Flear - N. Short 24...Wixd4! 25.g3
London 1986 Direct combinations don't work due to the
weakness of White's first rank, e.g. 25.lLlf6??
36.Wie7? ~d1# or 25.1'!xh7t?? Wxh7 26.lLlf6t ixf6
The move played in the game turns out to 27.Ylixd4 !!d8.
be flawed. 25 ...'lWdl t! 26.~g2 'lWd3! 27.i.e3
The idea is correct, but requires an alternative Black survives following 27.~h6?? ~xe4t
move order, that is 36.!!f3! ~xe4 (36 ...!!xe2 28.Wg1 g5.
37.Ylie7 also heads towards a draw) 37.~e7 27... ~g8!
lLlg4 38.~xf7t Wh6 39 . ~e7 !!xe2 (39 ... lLle3t Betterthan 27 ... g5 28.lLlxg5 ixg5 29 .~xg5
40.Wh2 lLlg4t 41.Wg2) 40.~g5t and Black Ylie4t 30.f3 Ylic2t 31.if2 ~g6, as White's
cannot escape from the checks. initiative would then be persistent after
36... ibg4? 32.Ylie7.
In my opinion, Black could play for 28.i.c5
more with 36 ... lLlxe4!. For example 37.h5 If 28.lLlf6t ixf6 29.exf6, Black would have
(otherwise 37.!!f3? Ylixd5 38.id3 loses to 29 .. .~d5t 30.f3 g5!.
38 ...!!xf2t! 39.!!xf2 lLlxf2t 40.Wxf2 ~xd3) 28... lbc7! 29.i.xe7ibd5 3o.Wih6
37 .. .!!xe2! (37 ...~xd5 38.h6t Wxh6 39.~h4t Or 30.~h4 h5 31.ixffi Wxffi, and the passed
Wg7 40.Ylixe4 ~xe4t 41.!!xe4 f5 may also be c-pawn allows Black to resist.
dangerous for White) 38.!!xe2 lLlc3 with a 30...'lWxe4t 31.~gl Wibl t
certain advantage for the second player. With perpetual check.
After 36 ... lLlg4? a draw was agreed (y2-Y2)
because of the variation ...
37.g8! 'lWxe4 38.'lWxf7t ~h6 39.'lWe7
...as already seen above .
•
•
8-10 8-13
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
8-11 8-14
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
8-12
o
abc d e f g h
•
8-10 K. Langeweg - G. Flear 8-12 G. Flear -A. Haik

Ramsgate 1982 Metz 1984
32... Ek8! 23.il:le2!

A superb defensive move, but unfortunately A neat defensive move that I didn't find
I didn't find it at the time. during the game. I played 23.Wh I?, but
I actually lost quickly following 32 ...'MIxd5? following 23 ... tOg6 24.'&xb7 ~h3 25.~gl ~e8
33.tOc7 ~e5 34.tOxe8 'MIxe8 35.~xh6 ~e2 the attack was decisive.
36.!!xf6t! 1-0, because of 36 ... Wxf6 37.'&f8t 23 •.. fxe2
We6 38.~e8t. If 23 ...'MIh3?, White has 24.tOf4. Another
Otherwise, if32 ...!!e7?! 33 .~f4 ~f5 34.~c4 try, 23 ...tOg6 met by 24.tOd4! ~g8 (24 ...'&h3
'&e5 35.~c6, White maintains the pressure. 25 .tOxf3) 25.'&xf5, leaves White on top.
33.'i«f4 24.'i«xe7
Or 33 .tOc7 Wg8! 34.!!xf6 ~xc7!=. White is better.
33...'i«£5
When the chances would be balanced. 8-13 C. Flear - S. Coriat
Cannes 2000
8-11 J. Bernard - G. Flear
Montpellier 2002 29 ...ixg2!
The bishop is sacrificed in order to avoid the
21...1:!dd7! threatened 30. ~xd4t , but also to gain time to
A precise move that holds the position move the under-attack rook on b8.
together. In the game, 29 ...d3? lost quickly: 30.'&d4t
It's too slow to move the king... 21.. .Wf8? Wg8 31.tOxb8 ~xb8 32.ie6t Wf8 33.f3 ~e5
22.ixf7 Wxf7 23 .~e3 ...as the pin along the 34.fxe4t We7 35.'&a7t Wxe6 36.~f7#.
d-file will prove fatal for Black. 3O.hg2 1:!xb2 31.il:lb6 1:!el!
22.1:!e8t? Rather than 31...'&h4? 32.'&f7.
This move should have been avoided. 32.'i«c8t \t>g7 33.'i«d7t \t>h6 34.'i«h3t \t>gS
Instead with either 22.Wfl ixg2t 23.Wxg2 Black has the superior prospects.
tOf4t 24.Wf3 tOxe2t 25.ixf7t ~xf7t 26.Wxe2,
or 22.ixf7t Wxf7 23.f3 tOf4, chances would 8-14 C. Flear - S. Volkov
be balanced. St Vincent 2003
22 •.. chh7 23.Lf7 1:!xf7
36.ixg2!
Everything is hunky-dory, noting that now
The tempting move 36.ixe7? was refuted in
the bishop on c6 attacks the rook on e8.
the game by 36 ... !!h2! (rather than 36 ... ~g3?
24.1:!e6 il:lxb2! 2S.1:!d8
37.ih5 ~xe3 38.ie8+- ) 37.a4 h5 38.axb5
If 25.1:!b 1, Black has 25 ...id5 26.1:!e5 tOa4!.
axb539.Wcl h4 40.Wd1 ~f2 41.ixh4 ~xf3
2S •..ib7 26.1:!b8 !'!d7 27.0 fiJa4
42.We2 ~h3 43.ie 1 Wg7 44.Wd3 Wg6 45.id2
Another fork to frustrate White (28.~xb7
Wh5 46.Wc3 ~h2 47.Wd3 Wg4 48.iel Wf3
tOc5)!
49.id2 ~hl 50.ic3 ~d1 t 51.Wc2 We2 O-l.
28.chfl idS 29.!'!xa6 ha2 30.!'!a7 il:lxc3
36.••hl437.chc2
31.1:!bb7 idS 32.!!xc7 !!xc7 33.!'!xc7 b4
The opposite-coloured bishop endgame
34.\t>e3 b3! 3S.\t>d2 b2 36.\t>c2 bl='i«t 0-1
seems to be drawn. If, for example, one places
White's king on f3, then the bishop can
temporize between g2 and fl, and then Black
cannot make any progress.
•
•
,•• Glenn Flear Tactimania
8-1S N. Sulava - G. Flear 8-18 T. Wessendorf - G. Flear

St Vincent 2002 Lugano 1988
37.mg2! 47..• lDxg3!

The game ended as follows: 37.Wh I? ~b2! White's king cannot escape from a 'perpetual
38.lOf7t Wg7 39.~xf3 ~xcl t 40.Wg2 l:!xc8 net'.
O-l. 48.'fIxd6
Otherwise, 37.wf2?! is not so bad, but is 48.Wxg3? is disastrous, as with 48 .. .~e5t
not that great either, e.g. 37 ... l:!xc8 38.~f7 Black soon mates.
(38.23xc7 faces an attack following 38... lOe5t 48 ... lDn t 49.mgl lDg3t SO.mh2 l:!g8
39.Wg2 l:!fB; and 38.~xf3? is well met by SU~el! 'fIxel S2.'tVf6t l/z-1/z
38 ... ~b2t) 38 ... ~xf7 39.ttJxf7t Wg840.lOd6 Finally, it was White who gave the perpetual
ttJe5! with some advantage to Black. check.
37 .•. !:!e2t 38.mn lDd4t 39.~f5! mg7
4O.!:!dl mxh6 41.'tVxd4 l:!eS 8-19 S. Conquest - G. Flear
White now has a forced draw. Blackpool 1988
42.'tVd2t mg7 43.'tVd7t mh6 44.'tVd2t
28.'fIh6!
8-16 G. Flear - A. Banov Otherwise, 28.l:!xg6t hxg6 29.~h6 l:!xd4
Hastings 2002/3 30.~xg6t comes to the same thing.
28 ...!:!xd4 29.!:!xg6t! hxg6 3O.'fIxg6t mh8
37...~h3t! 31.'tVh6t mg8 32.!:!gl!?
An unpleasant surprise for me! A last winning attempt.
38.mxh3 32.. .i.d6 33.<.!ih3t ~g3 34.'tVg6t mhS
38.Wf2 is possible, but by continuing with 3S.'fIh6t 1/2-1/Z
38 ...~cl Black prepares to deliver multiple
checks anyway. 8-20 J.L. Chabanon - G. Flear
38 ...'tVhSt 39.mg2 ~xf7 40.~dS 'tVhS French League 2007
41.i.xg8 ~e2t 42.mh3 'f:YhSt 43.mg2 'tVe2t
1/2-1/2 30...!:!x8!
A combination that solves all Black's
8-17 L Boleski - G. Flear problems. The alternatives leave White with a
Geneva 1985 small but durable advantage.
31.~g2
My opponent found a drawing combination. The capture 31.exf3? is dubious because
29.'tVeSt! md7 30.l:!xf7t! ~xf7 31.'tVe7t of 3l...lOxf3t 32.We3 ttJxg5, even if White
me8 32.~fBt mb7 33.'fIb4t mc8 34.'fIfBt would then retain drawing chances with
J/2_J/z 33.ttJf4.te834 ..td3.
Alternatively, 3l.ttJxe5 l:!xfl 32.ttJc4t Wc7
33.l:!xg6 l:!dlt 34.We3.tc6 is equal.
31..J3f5 32.lDxeS mxeS
32 ... l:!xg5?? 33.lOf7t.
33.l:!xg6 l:!f6 34J3xf6 mxf6 ¥z-¥z
•
Decisive D efence ,•
•
8-21 8-23
8 8
7 7
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
8-22 8-24
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
•
8-21 G. Flear - J. Henneteau 8-23 J.P. Boudre - G. Flear

French League 2009 St Affrique 2005
My opponent resigned but instead ... 21...if6!

56.. '!!e8! A counter that proves to be strong.
... holds! 22.ft:Je2 gxf5 23.exf5 ft:Jg5 24.ixg5 ixg5
57.gxe8 ~d3t 58.siic1 ~c3t 59.siidl ~alt 25.~d3
60.siic2 ~c3t= Here, 25.'tVc3limits the damage, but 25 .. .c5
gives Black all the trumps.
8-22J. Baron Rodriguez - G. Flear 25 ... c5 26.ll:lc3? ie3t! 27.ft:Jxe3 &e30-1
Spanish League 2005
8-24 M. Prathemesh - G. Flear
39... ft:J c3! Montpellier 2008
In the game, after 39 ... !!b2? 40.!!cl ~xe7,
White missed an easy win with 41.i.c5!. 14...1L1xe4!
40.ge5 ft:Jdl Black has to react quickly before White's
The knight attacks f2 and prevents the rook attack becomes decisive.
on f1 from becoming dangerous. 15.dxe4 ~xe4 16.~g5t siih7 17.~h5t
41.gf5 siig7!
The alternative, 41.!!c5? !!xf2 42.!!xd 1 An important move as Black now threatens
!!xg2t 43.~h1 !!h2t 44.'iifg1 !!xc5, favours 18 ... !!h8.
Black. On the other hand, 17 ... ~g8? is too slow,
41. .. ll:lxf2 42.ge1 ge2 43.gxe2 gxe2 as after the calm 18 .~ d2 I doubt that the
44.gd5! position would be defensible.
As the knight cannot escape, White draws, 18.~g5t
for example: Or if 18 .~h1? !!h8 19.~g5t 'iiffB, Black
44 ... gb2 45.b5 siixe7 46.b6 siie6 47.gd4 would be able to play for a win; whereas the
siif6 48.b7 &b7 49. siixf2 other try 18.f6t ~g8 19.~d2, can be met by
19 .. :~~lfh7.
18 ... siih7 19.~h5t siig7 20.~g5t 1/2-1f2
•
•
8-25 8-27
8 8
7 7
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
8-26 8-28
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
•
8-25 G. Flear - J. Kuende Gorostidi 8-27 D. Pira - G. Flear

San Sebastian 2006 French League 1998
25 ... ltlOt! 23... ~d8!

An elegant defence. The king has to run for the hills!
The game instead concluded in White's The game ended one-sidedly: 23 ...!!f8?
favour with 25_.~g6? 26.f4 ctJg4 27.l~kl 24.ctJxe6! Wxe6 25 .~xf8 ~xa2 26.~h6t \tie7
e5 28 . ~xd5 exf4 29Jk6 fxe3 30.!!xd6 ~c2 27.e61 - 0.
31.!!xf7 ~dlt 32.!!fl t 1-0. 24.!!c1 ic6! 25.ltlxf7t
26.gxf3 ~h3! 27.£4 ~g4t Not 25.!!xc6?? due to 25 ... ~xel# .
And draws by perpetual check! 25 ... <.t>c7
The result remains in doubt.
8-26 D. Dumitrache - G. Flear
Guingamp 2008 8-28 G. Flear - E. Gallo
Lugano 1986
39...~xc4!
Another playable possibility is 39 ... ctJd7!, 43 ...!'!xc7!
for example 40.ixe6 fxe6 41.ctJg5 e5 42 .~d 1 Black didn't resist very well in the game, i.e.
when White would have enough compensa- 43 .. .ctJf5? 44.ixf5 gxf5 45 ..ia3 ~a4 46.d6
tion for the pawn. b4 47.~d 1 ~d7 48.~xd4 bxa3 49.!!xa3 ~b5
In the game, I blundered with 39 ...!!xc4?? 50.!!a2 !!e8 51.!!g2 1-0.
and after 40.ctJf6t Wh8 41.ctJd5t I had lost 44.i.a3 ~xa3! 45.!'!xa3 c2
my queen! Even if I then resisted for 30 more White has no advantage!
moves, the damage had already been done .. . 46.~d2 ib2 47.!!a6 c1=~ 48.~xc1 ixc1
41...Wg8 42.ctJxb4 !!xb4 43.~f6 !!xa4 44.!!dl 49Jhd6
!!c4 45.!!d8 !!c8 46.!!xc8 ixc8 47 .~d8 id7 A draw is on the cards.
48 .~xa5 h5 49 .~d8 Wg7 50.f3 ic6 51.h4
ctJe6 52.~e7 ctJf8 53.W£2 ctJe6 54.We3 Wg8
55 .g4 hxg4 56.fxg4 Wg7 57.W£2 ihl 58.Wg3
ic6 59 . ~b4 \tig8 60 .~c3 ihl 61.~e5 ic6
62.~f6 ihl 63 . ~e5 ic6 64 .h5 gxh5 65.gxh5
Wh7 66.Wg4 id7 67.Wf5! ctJg7t 68.\tig5 ie6
69.~e4t ctJf5 70.~xb7 ctJh6 71.~b8 Wg7
72.~d8 1-0.
40.ltlf6t ~h8 41.ltle8t f6 42.ltlxc7 ~xc7
43.~xf6t ~g8 44Jhe6 ltlxe6 45.~xe6t
<j;lg7 46.g3
With equal chances.
•
Decisive Defence
8·29 8·31
8 8
7 7
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
8-30 8-32
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
•
S-29 J. Ady- G. Flear 8-31 J. Prats Rodriguez - G. Flear

Lambeth 19B5 Port Barcares 2010
Black has a spectacular defence. I found a way to resist in a difficult position.

26 ...~g6! 21. ..id3!
The game continuation wasn't much fun Otherwise, 21...E:xe3?! 22.'bxfB E:xe2
from my point of view: 26 ...E:bB? 27.d5t \t>b7 23.E:xe2 \t>xfB 24.'?fixc2 ~xc2 25.E:xc2 \t>e7
2B.~b6 \t>aB 29.i.d4 'bxd4 30.~xf6 E:beB seems to be worse.
31.~xa6t \t>bB 32.E:xeBt E:xeB 33.h3 'bf5 22.~xfB E:xfB 23.ixb6 ixe2 24.ic5 ~xf3!
34.d6'bg3t 35.\t>h2 h4 36.'?fic4 E:e4 37.'?fic7t The required resource!
\t>aB 3B .~dBt \t>a7 39 .~xd7t 1- 0. 25.~xe2
27.d5t ~d4! Not 25.gxf3?? due to 25 ... ~xf3t.
This enables Black's queen to help out along 25 ... ~xel 26.ixfB ~d3!
the sixth rank, for example 2B.Wc5t \t>b7 If 26 ... 'bxg2, then 27 .~xg7! is annoying.
29.E:g1 would be parried by 29 ...~b6. 27.ia3 d4 2S.~dl c529.g3
2s.ixd4t WaS 29.~xg6 fxg6 Maybe 29.b3!? is better with a small edge to
The pseudo-endgame is about equal. White.
29 ... c4 30.~f2 ~rllt 31.~xf2 c5 32.~f3
8-30 V. Korchnoi - G. Flear ~d3 33.Wg2 ~dlt 34.Wh3 ~g5 35.~aSt
Wijk aan Zee 19B7 Wh7 36.~e4t WhS 37.~e8t Wh7 3S.~e4t
WhS 39.~eSt Wh7 40.~e4t 1/2-1/2
2S... E:cS?!
My opponent pointed out the counter S-32 G. Flear - D. Svetushkin
2B ... 'bg4! in the post-mortem, e.g. 29.Wa1 (if Nimes 200B
29.hxg4?, Black has 29 ... E:el t 30.\t>h2 ~f4t
31.Wg3 Wh6t 32.'?fih3 '?fixd2-+) 29 ...Wf4! 41.~b4!
30.hxg4 ~xc7= . I played 4l.'?fixg3?, but was mated by
29.~d4 h6 30.~xa6 4l...\Wxc2t 42.b3 ~xa2t 43.\t>b4 a5t! O-l.
White has won a pawn. 41...~f4 42.E:eS ~c4 43.~xc6t! bxc6
30... E:c1t 31.E:dl E:c2 32.~b4 E:e233.Wfl 44.E:e7t WaS 45.E:eSt
E:e4 34.~d5t Wh7 35.~d3 E:e3 36.~xe5 And Black cannot avoid the draw.
E:xe5 37.~d3 ~xd3t 3S.E:xd3 b4 39.E:d4
E:a5 40.E:xb4 E:xal
I'm not totally sure that the endgame is lost,
but I couldn't find a way to save it.
41.E:f4 E:b2 42.~f3 f5 43.h4 Wg6 44.Wel
Wh5 45.Wdl Wg4 46.Wc1 E:e2 47.b4 E:e5
4S.E:b3 Wxh4 49.b5 E:e7 50.b6 E:b7 51. Wdl
f4 52.Wd3 f3 53.gxf3 Wh3 54.We4 Wg2
55.f4 Wrll 56.f5 Wg2 57.Wd5 g6 5S.£6 h5
59.We61-0
•
-I
In the latter stages of games, when most of the pieces have been exchanged, players often have
different preoccupations than in the middlegame.
They will often need, for example, to focus on the subtleties of the pawn structures, long-term
piece manoeuvres, and king walks into the central arena. Indeed, with less pieces on the board,
they will be aware that kings will be called upon to participate more actively in the struggle.
As in the previous chapters however, one shouldn't forget to take into account tactical weaknesses,
and the positive and negative aspects of both sides' pieces.
If an endgame is favourable and one is thus trying to win, there are three main sources for one's
inspiration:
1. Theoretical knowledge (what one has learned from books)

2. Erudition (evaluation based on one's playing and analytic experience)
3. Calculation (what one can deduce by analysing the position on the board)
So it follows that if one doesn't know much about endgames, then it's a good idea to calculate
well!
During the process of trying to work out how to proceed, a provisional conclusion to make is to
decide whether one's approach will be an A or P plan of action.
In other words, should one be going for Activity, Aggression or an Attack, or, on the other hand,
for Patience, Preparation, Prophylaxis and Persistence.
,• Glenn Flear Tactimania
Although the A approach is typically associated with middJegames, and the P plan with
endgames, one shouldn't be too dogmatic on this point. It is however a good idea to decide if the
way forward involves forcing the issue or not.
Naturally, in both cases, calculation will be required to some extent and you shouldn't forget
that tactical points often appear when least expected. So be ready to exploit them, in order to excel
in the endgame!
Here are some definitions:
Endgames: Positions where each player has a maximum of one piece (not counting the king).
Pseudo-Endgames: Positions where a player has two pieces and his opponent two or less (again
not counting the king).
Zugzwaog: A case where the player having the move is obUged to deteriorate his own position
Opposition: A Zugzwang specific to endgames where the kings are facing off and one of them is
obliged to give way.
Here are three examples to demonstrate some endgame considerations.
H. Zschiedrich - G. Flear
Narbonne-plage 2004
Sometimes general considerations are not

enough, calculation is required!
52 ...g4!
8 I played 52 ...~g4?, but the idea of activating
the king is less important than pushing passed
7
pawns! After 53.~c2 f4 54.~b3 gal 55.~b2
6 ga4 56.~b3 ~al 57 .~b2 the game was
5 agreed drawn . Y2-12
4 The time lost with my king cost me dear!
53.c.t>e2
3
There is no time for 53 . ~c2 here due to
2 53 ... g3 54.~b3 g2.
• 1
a b c d e f g h
53-.ga2t 54.~fl g3 55.b5
And only now should Black play.. .
55... ~g4
... and Black should win, due to his
more advanced passed pawns and mating
possibilities.
The moral here could be: Don't get lazy...
just analyse!
•
Excel in the Endgame! ,•
S. Zeidler - G. Flear
British League 2007
The best move is ...

8
39.. J3a2!
7 ...which puts a stop to White's dangerous
6 counterplay.
5 In the game, I played 39 ... !!h2?? but
following 40.a6! my opponent was back in
4
the game: 40 ...!!h3t (after 40 ... b6 41.a7t
3 ~xa7 42.!!xc7t ~a6 43.!!c6 White has no
2 worries) 41.~f2 !!h2t 42.~f3 !!h3t '!2- Yz.
•
Sometimes a Hnle common sense is
necessary, and unfortunately for me, it was
a b c d e f g h
lacking on this occasion!
40.gbc4 ~a5 4Uhc7 ~hh4 42.g1c4
~d5
With a clear advantage to Black.
The moral of this tale is: Don't underestimate
your opponent's counter-chances!
•
B. Larsen - G. Flear
London 1986
8
7 Prophylactic moves are commonplace m
6 endgames. In those with rooks for instance,
it's often stated that one should place one's
5
rooks behind an opponent's passed pawns to
4 slow them down. This is often a good strategy,
3 but calculating the details is important!
2 59.gb8?
Up to this point, my legendary opponent
1
0 had played a fine endgame, but here he slips
a b c d e f g h up. On the eighth rank the rook doesn't
support, very well, the advance of his passed
pawns.
The precise move is 59J!b7! and I believe
that White should then win. Here is my
8 analysis: 59 ... g3 60.'~e2 ~e4 (if 60 .. J:h2t
7 then 61. i>fl etc)
6 (analysis diagram)
5
4 61.a7! (this is only possible because the rook
is on the seventh rank!) 61..J'~a2t 62.~fl
3
g2t 63.~gl ~f3 64JU7t ~g3 65.E!g7t ~f3
2
(if 65 ... ~h3 66.b6 Black is too slow: 66 ... e4
0 67.b7! e3 68.a8=W/) 66.~h2! and Black is
a b c d e f g h helpless.
59... g3
(diagram)
60.gg8
8
Or 60.~e2 E!a2t 61.~fl ~f4 62.E1f8t
7 which comes to the same thing.
6 60... ~f4 61.gfiJt i>g4 62.~e2 galt
5 63.~fl g2t 64.~gl ~g3 65.gg8t ~h3
66.gh8t 1/2-%
4
The white rook would have been perfect on
3 the seventh (and in particular on g7), from
2 where it could support the advance of the
white pawns, whilst keeping the g-pawn in
0 check.
a b c d e f g h
The moral here being: General considerations
are useful tools to help find ideas, but
calculation is absolutely necessary for
precision .
•
,•
Exercises
9-1 9-3
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h • 1
a b c d e f g h
The technique for winning this position
is important. Do you know it?
9-2 94
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0 0
•
,• Glenn Flear Tactimania
9-1 G. Pieterse - G. F1ear 9-3 J.M. Mourgues - G. F1ear

Ostend 1987 Dieppe 2009
40.. J3xd2t! 41.i.xd2 b2 Black needs to build a shelter for his king,
Promotion is inevitable. whilst cutting off its counterpart.
0-1 97...!!eS! 98.!!b8 <.fid2 99.!!d8t <.fid
100.!!c8t <.fid3 1Ol.!!d8t
9-2 G. Flear - H. Mas Or lO1.<.fifl E!e4 102.@f2 E!c4.
Hastings 2001/2 101...<.fic4 102.!!c8t !!cS
This technique has been associated with
4l.~xe7t ixe742.a7 Lucena for the last 500 years!
And the pawn will become a queen. 0-1
1-0 9-4 D. Sellos - G. F1ear
Hem 1984
White hides his king with ...

48.f5! exfS 49.g5
... and after...
49.•. !!al
... delivers mate ...
SO.!!b8t <.fih7 Sl.g6t <.fih6 S2.!!h8#
•
9-5 9-7
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
What result and why? How can White obtain excellent
winning chances?
9-6 9-8
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0
How can White make good progress? How should Black continue?
•
9-5 B. Kievelitt - G. Flear 9-7 G. Flear - E. Formanek

Bern 1993 Hastings 2001/2
Black has a distant majority, an important 36.ltJxc5!

trump in king and pawn endgames. Three connected passed pawns will be
36... 'ttf7 37.'ttd3 c5! stronger than a piece.
In order to prevent 'ttd4. 36 ... bxc5 37.ixc5t 'ttd7 3S.ixa7 'ttc6
3S.'tte4 'tte6 39.g5 b440.h4 39.'ttc2 liJd7 40.b4 iflJ 41.'ttc3 id6 42.a4
Or if 40.axb4 cxb4 41.'ttd4 a3 42.bxa3 lbflJ 43.i.e3 ie5t 44.'ttb3liJe6 45.b5t 'ttc7
bxa3, the last queens ide pawn will be a decoy 46.c5 id4 47.'ttc4 ixe3 4S.fxe3liJg7 49.a5
to deviate White's king. Black then wins easily, ffi 50.e4 ~e3t 51.'ttd4 liJxg2 52.a6 ~f4
e.g. 43.~c3 ~xe5 44.~b3 ~f5. 53.b6t 'ttc6 54.a7liJe6t 55.'tte5 1-0
4O...c4! 41.'ttd4 c3 0-1
9-S G. Flear - N. Giffard
9-6 G. Flear - M. Erdogdu Lille 1986
Plovdiv 2003
6S...'IWb7!
White obtains an advantage with the A wise choice. The endgame favours Black,
following: as his passed pawns are already far advanced.
25.b5! 69.\Wxb7t 'ttxb7 70.!!dl
The passed pawn will be too strong after Equally hopeless is 70.1'!b1 i f6 71.~g2
either 25 ... bxa5? 26.bxa6 or 25 ... axb5? 26.a6 ~c6 n.~f3 ~b5 73.~e4 a4 74.~d3 a3 etc.
etc. 70 ... b3! 71.!!d3
25 ...ic426.bxa6 ixa6 27J~bl! The rook is impotent, for example 71.1'!d7t
A handy pin. It's not clear that White is ic7 or 71.1'!xd8 b2 n.1'!d 1 a4 etc.
already winning, but the position is tough to 71. ..a4 n.!!d4 ie7 73.!!d7t 'ttc6 74.!!xe7
defend. b2 75.!!e6t 'ttd5 76.!!e5t 'ttc4 0-1
27 ... b5 2S.ie2 'ttf6 29.!kl !!as
Another try, 29 ... 1'!d8!? 30.gc5 gd2 31.ixb5
ixb5 32.1'!xb51'!a2, would not solve all Black's
problems, but would still be an improvement
on the game continuation.
30.!!c5 e6
If 3O .. .b4? then 31.1'!c6t.
31.ixb5 ixb5 32.!!xb5 !!cS 33J~bl! !!as
34.!!al
White's rook is ideally placed behind the
passed pawn, so the result is no longer in
doubt.
34 ... 'tte5 35. 'tth2 'ttd5 36.'ttg3 'ttc5 37. 'ttg4
f6 3S.h5 !!a7 39.h6 'ttb5 40.f4 'tta6 41.!!c1
'ttxa5 42.!!alt 'ttb6 43.!!xa7 'ttxa7 44.e4
'ttb6 45.e5 'ttc6 46.exf6 'ttd7 47.'ttB 'tteS
4S.'tte4 1-0
•
Excel in the Endgame!
9-9
8
7
6
5
4
3
0 1
2
• a b c d e f g h
9-10
o
abc d e f g h
Which move poses Black
the most problems?
•
9-9 C. Holland - G. Flear ~b2 49.~d2 ~xa2 50.~c2=) 4l...h4 42.f3

Uppingham 1987 d4 43.i>c4 d3 44.~xd3 ~xc5 45.i>c3 i>d5
46.~b3 ~xe5 47.~xa3 ~f4 48.~b3 ~g3!
I missed my chance in this example! (the h-pawn is more interesting!) 49.a4 i>xh3
71.Jilh5t! 50.a5 ~g3 51.a6 h3 52.a7 h2 53.a8=V9 h1=W
The game continued sadly with 71...lLld5?? (the endgame is clearly favourable for Black)
72.h7 ixf6t 73 .~g8 and Black cannot hold 54.V9b8t i>g2 55.V9d8 V9b1 t 56.i>a4 V9a2t
onto both pieces, so a draw was agreed. 57.i>b4 V9b2t 58 .~a4 V9c2t 59 . ~b4 ~xf3
72.~g6 6o.V9f6t ~xg4 61.V9xf7 Vge4t and 0-1 a few
Or 72.~g8 ~xf6t 73 . ~g7 ~c6 74.h7 moves later.
lLlg4t etc. 4O ... h6 41.£3 d4
72 ... tOxf6 73.h7liJd5! There are similarities with the game
But not 73 ... ttJg4?? 74 . ~f5. continuation, but here, with the pawn only on
74.~f7 ic3 75.~g8 tOf6t 76.~g7 tOg4t h6, the result is different.
77.~g8 tOh6t On the other hand, passive defence is
Black then brings up the king. hopeless, e.g. 4l...~b7? 42 .~xa3 ~c6
Naturally, to convert this advantage Its 43.~b4 ~b7 44. ~b5 ~b8 45.a4 ~c8 46.a5
necessary to know how to mate with King, ~b8 47.a6 ~c8 48.c6 ~b8 49.~b6! with a
Bishop and Knight against a lone king. It's in mating attack!
the books and I recommend that you make the 42.<;!1c4 d3 43.~xd3 ~xc5 44.~c3 ~d5
effort to learn it! 45.~b3 ~xe5 46.~xa3 ~f4!
Plausible is 46 ... i>d5 47.~b4 f5 , but the
9-10 M. Barnes - G. Flear presence of an outside passed pawn gives
Derby 1987 White all the chances to win after 48.a3!.
47.~b4
This endgame is far more involved than I After 47.~b3 ~xf3 48.a4, Black has an
originally imagined, and I changed my mind a instructive resource available, i.e. 48 ... ~e4!!
number of times concerning the assessments of 49.~c4 i>e5 50.i>c5 f5 (two tempi spent by
the various lines. I showed it to several pupils each king, but the difference is that now White
who also found some interesting ideas and I no longer queens with check) 51.a5 f4 52.a6
must admit that as a result I had to revise my f3 53.a7 f2 54.a8=W f1=V9 and Black certainly
copy! shouldn't lose.
Here is a summary of what I now think, 47 ••. ~xf3 48.a4 e5 49.a5 e4 50.a6 e3 51.a7
although who knows? Maybe a reader can find e252.a8=V9t
yet another improvement! White arrives first, but the struggle isn't over.
The logical move is ... 52 .•• ~ 53.vtla7t ~f1! 54.vtlxf7t ~g2
40.g4! 55.vtle6 ~ 56.vtlfSt ~g2 57.vtle4t ~fl
...Iimiting the advance of Black's pawns. This Strangely enough White is unable to make
turns out to be an important factor in pa wn races any progress and the game is drawn! In fact, as
which occur in a number oflines. he doesn't have access to the f4-square, he can't
My opponent soon went astray in the actual push Black's king in front of the pawn (which
game: 40.g3?! (this allows Black's h-pawn to would be necessary in order to bring his own
advance further) 40 ... h5! 41 .g4? (too late, king any closer) .
whereas White could still hold with 41.f3!
d4 42 .~c4 d3 43.~xd3 ~xc5 44.h4 ~d5 So my conclusion is that 40.g4! is best, but
45.f4 g4 46.~e3 ~c4 47.~e4 ~c3 48.~e3 doesn't lead to a win.
•
9-11 9-14
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h • abc d e f g h
What result and why?
9-12 9-15
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
• a b c d e f g h
o
abc d e f g h
Find a way to win a pawn.
9-13
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
• 1
a b c d e f g h
How to make progress?
•
9-11J. Wolfgang-G. F1ear 50.~g3 ~h6 51.bxc5 bxc5 52.gb3 ~e4

Antwerp 1993 53.gb5 ~d4 54.gxa5 ~xc4 55.a4 gd6
56.ga8 ~b4 57.~O c4 58.a5 ~b5 59.~e3
47.. .'~)f7! 48.~O ~e6 49.~e4 c3 60.gc8 ~b4 61.gb8t ~xa5 62.gb3 f4t
White regains his pawn, but the struggle is 63. ~xf4 gc6 0-1
not yet over. ..
49...d3! 50. ~xd3 ~d5 9-14 G. Flear - H. Hamdouchi
White resigned. Black has the opposition Montpellier 2008
and that is sufficient to win! Here is a plausible
line ... My opponent found a nice win.
51.g3 g6 59... f4!
A hint for wlnmng such 'symmetrical' Both ways of capturing are insufficient.
positions: Black plays the same moves 'as if in 60.gxf4t
a mirror' and White runs out of moves first. If 60.gxf4, Black continues with 60 ... ~f3 .
52.h4h5 60 ... ~d3 61.g0
The king has to make a decision! Or 61.g f8 !!d1 t 62.~g2 e2 63.gd8t ~ c4
53.~e3 ~c5 54.~e4 ~b4 55.~d5 ~xa4 etc.
56.~c4 ~a3 57.~c3 a4 58.~c2 ~b4 61...gdl t 62.~g2 ~d2 0-1
59.~b2~c4
And Black wins. 9-15 G. F1ear - E. Piankov
Marseille 2006
9-12 M. Ricci - C. Flear
Cannes 2000 54.h4!
This forces Black to make an unpleasant
32.. J'~e2! decision.
Black has to increase the pressure first! 54... gxh4
33.gd3 ge4 34.g0 After 54 ... ~f6, White has the straight-
If 34.ie3if8 (or maybe 34 ... g5!? 35.fxg5 forward 55.g b6t ~e5 56.hxg5.
!!xe5 36.!!a1 ixg5 37.!!a8t ~ h7) 35.g a1 55.ixfSt ~f6 56.ie4 ghl 57.gfSt ~g6
ih6 36.ga5 ixf4 37.ixf4 !!xf4 38.g xb5 58.gxg5t!
~ke4 the pawn on e5 will fall. Black then has a 58.f4 is equaJJy possible.
clear advantage. 58... ~xg5 59.f4t ~f6 60.i.xhl ~6 61.i.d5
34...ixb4! 35.if2 ~c3 36.gxc3 ixc3 h4t 62.~O h3 63.ie4t ~e6 64.~g3 b3
37.gxb5 gxf40-1 65.~xh3 b2 66.~g41-O
9-13 K. Bordi - G. F1ear

Nice 2000
Black activates his king with ...

41...£4! 42.gxf4 ~6
...thus obtaining good winning chances.
43.h5 ~xf4 44.gg7 fS 45.gg6 ge3?!
45 ... ~e5! would have been simpler.
46.h6 gh3 47.~g2 gh5 48.a3 gh4 49.b4 g3
Or maybe 49 ... axb4 50.axb4 cxb4 51.g xb6
~g5.
•
9-16 9-19
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
9-17 9-20
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0 0
9-18
o
abc d e f g h
•
9-16 I. Martin Alvarez - G. Flear 9-19 G. Flear - H. Sauvadet

San Sebastian 2009 Chamalieres 2007
37... c5! 53.f7!

The choice of 37 ... b3? in the game was soon The pawn is used as a decoy to unravel the
regretted ... 38.gb8t @xa5 39.f7 !hf7 40.cxb3 blockade.
cxb3 41.@xb3 ... and the endgame is drawn. On the other hand, 53.c6t? fails to 53 .. .l·tJxc6
41...l:!f3t 42.@b2 c5 43.gb7 @a4 44.l:!c7 54.f7 'Lle7t!=.
l:!b3t 45.@c2 l:!b5 46.@c3 a5 47.Wc4 l:!b1 53... ltlxf7 54.c6t ~d8 55.~c4
48.l:!xc5 gel t 49.@d4 l:!xc5 50.Wxc5 Wxa3 A slow, but sure way to victory.
51.@c4 V2-V2. White could also force the issue with 55.d7
38.axb4 @e7 56.id2 a3 57.ib4t @d8 58.@e6 'Llg5t
No better is 38.f7 in viewof38 ... c3t 39.@b1 59.@e5 'Llf7t 60.@f6 a2 61.ia5#.
@a4!. 55 ...a5 56.~c3 h3 57.~b2
38... cxb4 39.f7 ~a4 40.~c1 ~a3 4U'k8 Black can do nothing.
go t 42.~d2 c3t 43.~e3 ihli 57... ltlh6 58.i.g5t 1-0
Black should win.
9-20 G. Flear - H. Sonntag
9-17 G. Flear - A. Petrossian Le Touquet 1989
Marseille 2005
26.c5!
35.ltlb5! White thus creates a passed pawn.
Threatening the d6-pawn. 26 ... b5
35 ... axb5 36.cxb5 Bad would be 26 ... bxc5? in view of
The passed pawn couplet, supported by the 27.bxa5.
king, is too powerful for the knight. Otherwise, if 26 ... axb4 27.cxb6 b3, White
36... ltlc7 37.~c4 ltlf8 38.b6 ltla6 39.~b5 keeps the advantage with 28.ie5! b2 29.ixb2
ltlb8 40.a6ltlxa6 41.~xa6ltld7 42.b7 1-0 ltJd6 30.ia3 'Llb7 31.@f3.
27.bxa5 b4 28.i.f4
9-18 G. Flear - M Hebden The more direct continuation, 28.a6! b3
Southend 2009 29.a7 b2 30.a8='IW b1=~ 31.if4, would be
even more convincing for White.
White has a forced win if he continues 28 ... e5 29.i.d2 b3 30.i.c3 ~f7 31.~B ~e6
energetically. 32.d4!? ~d5 33.dxe5 fxe5 34.a6 ltlc7 35.a7
48.h5! ~e6 49.g6! hxg6 50.h6 ~f6 ltla8 36.~e3 g6 37.~d3 e4t 38.~e3 ltlc7
51.i.e5t! 39.i.b2 ltla8 40.i.a3 ~c7 41.~d2 ~c6
The bishop forces the king away from the 42.~c3ltlb5t 43.~xb3ltlxa7 44.~c4 ~b5
promotion square. 45.i.b4 ltlc7 46.~d4 ~b5 47.i.a3 ~a4
51...~xe5 52.h7 a4 53.h8=§'t ~d5 54. §'a8t 48.i.c11-0
~c4 55.§'a6t ~c5 56.§'xa4ltld2t 57.~e2
ltlc4 58.§'a7t ~d5 59.§'f7t ~c5 60.§'f8t
~b5 61.b3 ltla5 62.§'b8t ~c5 63.§'e5t
1-0
e,
o 0
9-21 9-24
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• 1
a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
9-22 9-25
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0 0
9-23
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
0
a b c d e f g h
What result? Can you find
a convincing line of play?
•
9-21 G. Flear -A. Mirzoev 9-23 G. Flear - G. Vallin

Menton 2004 Montpellier 200 1
49 .. JH5! White can win by force.

The game continued with 49 ... ltJa8? 56.~xb6 ~xf3 57.gxf3 ~xh5 58.~xa5 ~h4
50J'hd5 ltJc7 51.gh5 gf6 52. ~c4 ~c6 53.b4 59.~b4!
a6 54.gh8, when White had realistic drawing Moving towards Black's king ...
chances. 59...~g3 60.a5 ~xB 61.a6 ~e2 62.a7 B
50.axb6 63.a8=~ f2 64.~g2 ~el 65.~c3 fl=~
The threat is ... ltJd7, when by maintaining 66.~d2#
two pawns, Black would be winning .. .in order to help with the mating net!
comfortably. Against a queen, a lone f- or h-pawn on the
SO ••• axb6 5U3b5 ~c6 52.~b4 seventh rank can at times enable the defending
Or 52.gb4 b5, and White will have to play side to draw, but not if the stronger side's king
the remainder of the game without his rook! is too close.
52 .. JU4 53.~a4 !hd4t 54J'~b4 ~c5
Black wins. 9-24 J. Plaskett - G. Flear
Hastings 1984/5
9-22 G. Flear - A. Muir
Torquay 2002 The win comes from a pawn breakthrough.
38.gxc4! ~xc4 39.h4! ~b4 40.g4! a541.g5
52.~f4! 1-0
After the inferior move 52. ~xe4?, played White gets there first.
by me in the game, White lacks shelter for his
king, and then after 52 ... ga4t 53.~d5 ga5t 9-25 S. Karjakin - G. Flear
54.~c4 ga4t 55.~b5 gal 56.gg6t ~h7 Hastings 2002/3
57.~c4 gdl! I never looked like winning.
52... e3 109.gflt! 1-0
Or if 52 ...ga6, then 53.gg6t! gxg6 54.fxg6 It's a straightforward win.
e3 55.~xe3 ~xg6 56.~e4 with a winning 109 ...gxf7 llO.gxf7 ~xf7 1l1.~h5! ~g7
position. 112.~g5 W 113.~h6 ~e7114.~g7 ~d7
53.gg6t ~h7 54.ge6 115.~fl ~d8 116.~xe6 ~e8 117.~d6
White will pick up the pawn in far more ~d8 118.e6 ~e8 119.e7
favourable circumstances than in the game, The pawn will promote.
and must surely win.
•
9-26 9-29
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0
Can White win? What result? Any particular reason?
9-27 9-30
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0
a b c d e f g h
• a b c d e f g h
What result and why? Find the best line of play for Black.
9-28
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
• a b c d e f g h
•
9-26 G. Flear - F. Chevaldonnet 9-29 R. Weill- G. Flear

Metz 1984 Nimes 2008
It's worth remembering that if White is left 48... ~g5!

with only his dark-squared bishop and an With the terrible threat of 49 ... h4t 50 ~h3
a-pawn, he cannot win if Black tucks his king El:h2 mate!
in the corner. Efforts to oust the king from a8 The only way to avoid immediate defeat for
would then only lead to stalemate. White is to exchange rooks, but then after. ..
50 White has to hold onto his b-pawn. 49..!'!e5t ltJxe5 50.~xf21tJf7!
65.id8! bxa5 66.ixa5 ~b5 67.b4! ... the endgame is winning for Black. ..
The b-pawn is defended and Black can only 51.~g3 ltJd6 52.ic2 ~f6 53.id3 g5 54.c4
stand by and watch as White mops up Black's ~e5 55.~f3 ~d4 56.ifl a4 57.a3 ~c3
remaining pawns. 58.~e3 h4 0-1
67... ~c6 68.~g5 ~d6 69.~xh5 ~d5
70.~g5 ~e5 71.ic7t ~d5 72.~f5 ~c6 9-30 J. Bellon Lopez - G. Flear
73.ia5 ~d5 74.~f6 ~d6 75.~f7 1-0 Graz 1984
If Black insisted on seeing more then
75 ... ~d7 76.~f8 ~c6 77.~e8 ~b5 78.~d7 My choice was ...
~c4 79.~c6 would surely be enough to 26 ... cxb2!
convince anyone. However, there is a second plausible way,
26 ... id4 27.bxc3 El:xc3 28.~e2 El:e3t 29.~d2
9-27 S. Conquest - G. Flear El:a3 30.El:b7t ~f8 31.El:d1 El:xa2t, which is
5anxenxo 2003 also favourable to Black. However, I still prefer
the move played in the game.
White found the way to victory as follows ... 27.~xf2 .!'!c2t!
67.~f3! g6 68.ixd5 exd5 69.~g4 ~7 Instead, the immediate 27 ... El:cl? would fail
70.~g5 ~g7 71.b5 in view of 28.ge 1.
Zugzwang. 28.~g3l'kl
71...~f7 72.~h6 ~f6 73.g4 1-0 Black regains the rook and emerges with an
Another Zugzwang. extra pawn.
Now after 73 ... ~f7 74.g5, it's all over. I was then able to convert my advantage in
the endgame.
9-28 A. Harley - G. Flear 29..!'!xb2 .!'!xhl 30..!'!b7t ~ffi 31..!'!xa7 .!'!al
British League 2004 32.~fl f5 33.g3 ~g7 34.h4 h6 35.~f3
~f6 36J~a8 ~e5 37..!'!a7 ~ 38J'ga8 ~g6
Despite the almost symmetrical pawn 39..!'!a7 e5 40..!'!a6t f6 41.~e3 .!'!gl 42.~fl
structure, Black's king is more active and can .!'!al 43.a4 .!'!a2t 44.~gl ~h5! 45 ..!'!xf6 ~g4
get at White's weakness on b2. 46..!'!g6t ~f3 47 ..!'!f6 ~g3 48..!'!xf5 .!'!xa4
43.. J,lxb6 44.ixb6 a4 45.~g3 ic1 46.i.d4 49..!'!fl (49.gxe5? El:a1 t) 49....!'!xh4 50..!'!f6
~e6 47.ic3 e4 51..!'!g6t ~f3 52..!'!f6t ~e2 53.~g2 e3
Otherwise, 47.~f2 ~d5 48.ic3 ~c4 54.~3 .!'!hl 55..!'!e6 .!'!glt 56.~f4 M t
49.~e2 ~b3 comes to the same thing. 57.~e4 .!'!al 58.~f4 .!'!a4t 59.~g3 h5
47... ~d5 48.~h4~c449.~h5 ~b3 5o.~g6 60..!'!b6 .!'!g4t 0-1
ixb2 51.ixb2 ~b2 52.~xg7 a3 53.~xh6
a2 54.g5 fxg5 55.~xg5 al=Wf 56.h4 WfgIt
0-1
•
9-31 9-33
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
Can you find a way for Black to make What result?
progress and ultimately win?
9-32 9-34
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0 0
How should White continue? What result?
•
9-31 R. Pert - G. Flear Zvjagintsev, and published the resultinganalysis

British League 2010 that convincingly demonstrates that despite
White only having two pawns remaining he
Black has a promising rook manoeuvre. can indeed win.
44... l!a2! 45.lbxh4 l!dl 40... We6 41.Wf4 lbe8 42.<;t.g5 Wf7 43.a4
One of the pawns will fall, and White seems a5
to be in trouble. If 43 ... a6 44.Jkc5! <;t.g7 45.a5 <;t.f7 46.h3
46.lbo <;t.g7 47.<;t.f4 <;t.f6 48.<;t.e4 <;t.e6 49.h4, it's
After the alternative, 46. <;t.h5 E!xd4 47.g4 Zugzwang.
E!c4 48.g5t <;t.f7, Black should win. An alternative sequence, 43 ... 4Jb6 44.a5
46... l!xg2t 47.Wf4l!e248.lbg5 l!e7 49.lbO 4Jc8 45 .h3 a6 46.Jkc5 <;t.g7 47.<;t.f4 <;t.f6
l!e4t 50.Wg3 WfS 51.lbh4t Wg5 52.lbOt 48.<;t.e4 <;t.e6 49.h4 comes to the same thing.
Wf6! 44.i.e5 Wg7 45.h3 Wf7 46.Wh6 Wf6 47.h4
Zugzwang! <j;lfS
53.Wf2 Wf3 54.e6 l!e8 55.lbe5 We4 56.e7 Or 47 ... <;t.f7 48.<;t.h7 <;t.f6 49.<;t.g8 etc.
l!c8 57.lbf7 l!xe7 58.lbd6t Wd3! 59.WO 48.Wg7 Wg4 49.<j;lf6!
l!d7 6o.lbf3 l!f7 0-1 But not 49. <;t.xg6? <;t.xh4 50. <;t.f5 <;t.g3
51. 'it>e6 <;t.f4 52. <;t.d7 <;t.e5 53.<;t.xc8 <;t.d5
9-32 M. Hennigan - G. Flear 54.Jkb6 <;t.c4=
Hastings 1987/8 49... Wxh4 50.We6 g5 51.Wd7 g4 52,t~xe8
White then wins!
48.f6t!
White creates a passed pawn. 9-34 G. Flear - M. O'Hara
After 48.4Jh5? 4Je2 49.4Jxg7 4Jxd4 50.f6t Uppingham 1988
<;t.ffi, as played in the game, White didn't have
any advantage in the complications. White's winning method is instructive.
48 ...gxf6t 49.Wh6 b3 50.g7 b2 51.lbfSt 41.Wb7! Wb5 42.d7lbe6
Wd7 Originally, I thought that 42 ... 4Jc6 43.<;t.c7
Or if51.. .<;t.f7, then 52.<;t.h7 <;t.e6 53 . g8=~t <;t.c5 44.d8=~ 4Jxd8 45. <;t.xd8 <;t.d6, led to
<;t.xf5 54.~g6t <;t.f4 55.~c2 etc. a draw, but I was wrong! See the next note,
52.g8='i;V bl='i;V 53.'i;Vh7t <;t.d8 54.'i;Ve7t where all will be revealed!
We8 55.lbd6t Wb8 56.'i;Vd8t Wa757.'i;Ve7t 43.Wc8We4
Wa6 58.'i;Vxe6t 'i;Vb6 59.'i;Va8t 'i;Va7 60.'i;Ve8t If 43 ... <;t.c6 44.d8=~ 4Jxd8 45.<;t.xd8 <;t.d6,
Wa5 61.'i;Vc3t Wa4 62.'i;Val t the superiority of White's king makes all the
And wins! difference, e.g. 46.<;t.e8 <;t.e6 47. <;t.f8 <;t.f6
48.<;t.g8 h5 (if 48 ... g5 49.'it>h7 h5 50.h4! then
9-33 Z. Krnic - G. Flear gxh4 51.<;t.h6 etc) 49.h4 <;t.e6 50.<;t.g7 <;t.e7
Wijk aan Zee 1988 5l.f3! <;t.e6 52.f4 <;t.e7 53 .f5! gxf5 54.<;t.h6 and
White wins!
A draw was agreed at this point, but it seems 44.d8='i;V lbxd8 45.Wxd8 f5 46.f4 Wd4
that my opponent underestimated his winning 47.We7 We3 48.Wf6! Wxf4 49.<j;lxg6 Wg4
chances. Mark Dvoretsky took a close look at 50.Wxh6 Wh4 51.Wg6 Wg4 52.h3t 1-0
this endgame, along with Russian GM Vadim
•
9-35 9-37
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0
What result and why? How to make progress?
9-36 9-38
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
How should Black continue? What result and why?
•
9-3S P. Blatny - G. Flear 9-37 O. Foisor - G. Flear

Oakham 1988 Montpellier 2008
White's bishop dominates its counterpart. I found the right way in the game.
S7.~eS!~d8 S2 ... fi:lMt! S3.~g4 £3! S4.<Jig3
The exchange of bishops after 57 ...i xe5 If 54.cj-;xh4? f2, the pawn goes all the way.
58.fxe5! cj-;e6 59.cj-;d3 cj-;d5 60.cj-;c3 cj-;e6 S4... c.fie; SS.~c6 ~gS
61 .cj-;c4 transposes to the game continuation. With two pawns to the good, Black is now
S8. ~d3 ~e7 S9.~h8 ~d8 60.~g7 ~c7 winning comfortably.
61.ieS !xeS S6.~e4 c.fihS S7 .~d3 gS S8.~e4 ~h6 S9 .~d3
Following6l...id8 62.~d6 Black's bishop is ~g7 60.~g4 ~f6 61.in a6 62~d3 fi:lg6
out of moves, so Black's king must cede terrain, 63.ixg6 ~g6 64.~xf.3 ~h5 6S. ~e4
for example 62 ... cj-;e6 63.cj-;c4 cj-;d7 64.d5 etc. Or 65.cj-;g3 a5.
62.fxeS ~e6 63.~c4 £4 64.~d3 ~e; 6S.dS! 6S ... ~M 66.~e; as 0-1
adS 66.bS! ~xeS 67.b6 1-0
One of the pawns will land on the eighth 9-38 A. Grischuk - G. Flear
rank. French League 2006
A good example to show that we shouldn't
be too dogmatic about what constitutes a good White can get away with capturing the b5-
or bad bishop! pawn and is therefore winning!
4UhbS!~bS
9-36 J. Lautier - G. Flear If 41...a2, then the sequence 42.~e6t cj-;g7
Dortmund 1989 43.l!b7t cj-;f6 44.~xa2 wins.
42.~xbS ~f8
Black needs to make a passed pawn Not 42 ... a2?, because of the check 43 .~c4t.
immediately. 43.~c4 ~e7 44.~h2 c.fid6 4S.~g3 ~cS
39... aS! 46.~dS c.fid4 47.~g4 h6 48.M ~e3 49.hS
In the game, I played the imprecise gxhSt SO.~xhS ~fl
39 ... cj-;e6?!, and after 40.cj-;f3, only then did I No better is 50 ... a2 51 ~xa2 cj-;xe4 52.cj-;xh6
push 40 ...a5, which proved to be too late. The cj-;f4 53.cj-;h5 e4 54 .g4 e3 55.ic4 etc.
remaining moves were 41.bxa6 bxa6 42.g4! Sl.~xh6 ~g2 S2.~gS ~£3 S3.~e; 1-0
fxg4t (or 42 ... a5 43.gxf5t cj-;xf5 44.lLlc3
lLlxd4t 45.cj-;e3 lLlb3 46.lLlxd5=) 43.cj-;xg4
lLle3t (43 ... a5 44.f5t 00 45.cj-;f4 a4 46.lLlc3
a3 47.cj-;e5 lLle3 48.lLla2=) 44.cj-;f3 lLlf5
45. cj-;f2 a5 46.cj-;e 1 lLle3 47.cj-;d2 lLlg2 48.cj-;c3
cj-;f5 49.cj-;b3 cj-;e4 50.lLlc3t cj-;xd4 51.lLlxd5
cj-;xd5 52.cj-;a4 lLlxf4 53.cj-;xa5 '12- '12.
40.bxa6 bxa6 41.~f3 as 42.g4
Alternatively, if 42.lLlc3 lLlxd4t 43.cj-;e3
lLlc2t 44.cj-;d2 lLlb4, then Black wins.
42 ... fxg4t 43.~g4 a4 44.!ilc3 a3 4S.~e;
fi:lxd4t 46.~eS fi:le2! 47.fi:lal d4 48.~e4
fi:lc3t
Black is on the road to victory.
•
<> •
o
Vigorously resisting until the bitter end is the way to save many a dubious position.
In order to develop this theme, I will be combining the themes of the previous two chapters,
Defensive technique and endgame play.
In those cases where one is worse in a simplified position, just staving off the opponent's tactical
tricks may not be enough. Apart from the evident requirement to analyse carefully whilst paying
attention to detail, the defender should in my opinion be asking themselves the following question:
What should the overall strategy be to save the game?
There are three distinct approaches, these are:
1. Staying passive throughout.

2. Playing actively from the off.
3. Passive for the moment, but with the intention of going active at the right moment.
If you believe that you can hold a difficult position without changing anything very much, then
simply temporizing may be the best way to defend. Why bother to undertake anything positive
when, more likely than not, it would help your opponent?
If, on the other hand, sitting on your hands will simply enable your opponent to make inexorable
progress, then you will need to play more actively. The may mean straight away, or sometimes only
after due preparation.
The word 'active', in the context of endgames, can mean several things such as 'starting a counter-
attack', 'creating a diversion', 'provoking a forcing continuation' or simply 'placing a queen or rook
on a square from where it will be able to harass the opponent' .
In the following exercises, the solution will often need a certain activity on the part of the
defender, but not always!
Here are some examples:
G. Flear - M. Chandler
8
London 1990
7
6 White has to react immediately.
5 49.a4!
The passive 49.mc3? loses to 49 ...a5
4 50. mc2 b4 5l.a4 ma 1 52. mb3 mb l.
3 49 •.• bxa450.mel
2 Black is unable to win.
%-1/2
0
a b c d e f g h
G. Flear - M. Chandler
Blackpool 1988
Here, against the same opponent, I settled

8 for a passive defence to save the game.
7 45. Wi£5 Wixf5 46Jh.£5 !ha4
6 If you mentally removed the rooks as well
as the pawns on f2 and g3, then the endgame
5
would be drawn, as Black would not be able to
4 oust White from hI without giving stalemate.
3 However, it's worth knowing that the
2 analogous situation (King, bishop and wrong
rook's pawn), with an additional pair of rooks
0 can be won.
a b c d e f g h So my defensive strategy was to avoid
touching my pawns (as I didn't want to risk
losing them before the exchange of rooks), as
I couldn't see any way for my opponent to
break down the fortress .
•
Until the Biner End!
47JH4 ga2 48.gg4 ie5 49.ge4 id6

50. i>B ie5 51.ge2 ga6 52.ge2 gf6t
53.i>g2 ib6 54.ge2 i>g6 55.i>fl i>fS
56.i>g2 id4 57.i>B gb6 58.i>g2 gb3
59.i>h3 h5 60.i>g2
Continuing to wait. Not exactly
constructive, but here... very effective!
6O ... gb6 61.i>B ga6 62.i>g2 ga463.i>B
ie5 64.i>g2 ga8 65.i>B i>e6 66.ge4 i>f5
67.ge2 ga4 68.i>g2 id4 69.i>B ia7
70.i>g2 i>g4
(diagram)
71.ge4t!
I could also have continued to temporize,
but this tactical shot trades rooks and leads to
a clear draw.
71...gxe4 72.Bt i>f5 73.fxe4t i>g474.e5 ib8
o 75.e6 id6 76.e7 he7 77. i>hl id6 78. i>g2
abc d e f g h
ie779.i>hl i>B 80.i>gl id6 81.i>hl i>f2
82.g4!
82.Wh2 allows 82 ... h4, but even this is
drawn after 83.Wh l.
82... hxg4 Stalemate! Yl-1f2
82 ... h4 83.g5 .if4 84.g6 .ie5 85.g7 .ixg7
86.Wh2 .ie5t 87.Whl! is a book draw if
White stays in the corner, due to the inevita-
bility of stalemate if Black gets too close.
G. Flear - V. Epishin
Spanish League 2008
In this example I underestimated my

opponent's aaive defence.
57.ge2?
I should have continued with 57.!!f8!, for
example 57 ... gb3 58.!!d8 Wf4 59.!!xd5 We4
60.!!d6 and, in this case, Black's counterplay
is insufficient.
57... ga2t 58.i>dl galt 59.i>d2 ga2t
60.i>e3 ga3t 61.i>f2 i>f4! 62.ge5 ga2t
o 63.i>e1 ga4 64.gxd5 i>e3
abc d e f g h The threats of mate stop White from
making any progress.
65.i>fl i>B 66.gfSt i>e4 67.gh5 galt
68.i>e2 ga2t 69.i>dl 1fl_lh
•
G. Flear - G. Szitas
Valras-plage 1996
I had headed for this position imagining that

8 I would win easily, but I hadn't foreseen my
7 opponent's remarkable defence.
6 54 ... ~c2 55.ic5 lilal! 56.e3 me6 57.ia7
me5 58.ib8t mf6 59.if4 me6 6o.ib8
5
mf6 61.i.a7
4 The knight stays in the corner, if need be,
3 and protects the b3-pawn. Black's king just
2 has to stop any passed pawn that White
creates.
• a b c d e f g h
61...me6 62id4 md6 63.e4 fxe4 64.fxe4
me6 65.ic3 md6 66.e5t me6 67.md4
... and the king doesn't have to give way, as
Black can now temporize with his knight.. .
67... ~c2t Ih-1f2
•
Exercises
10-1 10-4
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0 0
10·2 10-5
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h
0
1
a b c d e f g h
10-3
8
7
6
5
4
3
• a b c d e f g h
•
10-1 B. Sharp - G. F1ear 10-4 M. Geveke - G. Flear

Leicester 1989 St Vincent 2003
59.gg5t! gxg5 77.if4!

Stalemate! 1/2-V2. A great defensive tactic.
Instead 77.~xg5? doesn't work: 77 .. .fXg5
10-2 G. Flear - X. Beudaert 78.We4 lDd2t 79.Wf5 lDf3 80.We4 lDh4
French League 2001 81.We5 Wd3 82.Wf6lDf3 and wins.
77... ~d3
74... ~f4?
Or 77 ... gxf4 78.Wxf4 lDd6 79.g5, and
EquaJJy bad is 74 ... We6? because of
White draws.
75.lDd4t.
78.ic7itle5t 79.~g3 ~e2 80.id8
The only move was 74 ... Wd5!, for example
With the bishop now so active, Black is
75.Wxh6 b2 76.lDd2 Wd4 77.Wg5 Wc3
unable to make any progress.
78.lDb1 t Wc2 79.lDa3t Wb3 80.lDb1 Wc2
80 ... ltJd7 81.ie7 ~e3 82.id8 ~e4 83.ie7
with a draw.
~d5 84.~h3 ~d4 85.~g3 ~e4 86.id8
75.itld2 b2 76.~xh6
~e3 87.ie7 ~e2 88.~g2 ~e3 1/l-V2
The black king cannot move across to
support the pawn!
10-5 G. F1ear - J. Gallagher
76 ... ~e5
Dinard 1986
76 ... We3 77.lDc4t yields the same result.
77.itlc4t ~f6 78.itlxb2 ~f7 79.itld3
42.c5!
The endgame is now trivial.
A nasty surprise for my opponent, especiaJJy
79 ... ~g8 80.itle5 ~h8 81.~g6 ~g8 82.h6
as the pawn cannot be taken, e.g. 42 ... lDxc5
~h8 83.itlf7t ~g8 84.h7t 1-0
43.!!d5# or 42 ...!!xc5 43.!!xd3.
42... b2 43.ia2 f5
10-3 L Van Wely - G. F1ear
Otherwise, 43 ... lDe1 t 44.We2 lDc2 45.~b1
French League 2002
lDxe3 46.!!xb2 lDxg4 would also probably lead
34...ltJf5? to a draw after 47.!!c2.
An oversight. 44.exfS gxf5 45.gxf5 ltJxc5 46.gxb2 ~xfS
Nor is the other knight move 34 ... lDg8? 47.ibl t ~e5 48.gh2 gel 49.gh5t ~d6
acceptable, because of 35 ..l:hf7. 50.ih7 gflt 51.~e2 1/2-112
I should have played 'to keep everything in
place' with 34 ... !!e6! 35.Wc2 Wc7 36.Wd3
Wc6 and I don't see how White can make any
progress.
35.gh5!
The pin ensures that White wins the
exchange by force.
35 ... gxe3 36.fxe3 itlxe3 37.gh8t ~c7
38.gh7itld5 39.!!xf7t ~c6 40. ~c2 a541.a3
b6 42.~d3itlc7 43.~c4itla6 44.gf6t ~b7
45.gg6 itlc7 46.~d4 itlb5t 47.~d5 itlc7t
48.~d6 itlb5t 49.~d7 itld4 50.gg4 itlb3
51.gc4 a4 52.~d6 b5 53.gh4 ~b6 54.gh8
~b7 55.gg8 1-0
•
Until the Bitter End!
10-6 10-9
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0 0
10-7 10-10
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0 0
10-8
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
0
a b c d e f g h
Which of these would you opt for:
57.!l:f5, 57.i>f5 or 57.g5t?
•
10-6 M. Chandler - G. F1ear example 57 ... E:e3 (if 57 .. .E:h1, then 58.~f4
Bath 1987 E:fl t 59 .\tlg3; whilst following 57 .. .E:f3t
58.\tle4 E:fl 59.\tle3 g5 60.E:b4, White should
37.h4? hold) 58.\tlf4 E:e5 59.E:b2 etc.
Thecalm move 37 .\tlfl! would emphasize the 57... g5t! 58.<;t>e4 <;t>g6 59.g0
strange disposition of pieces along the d-file. Or 59.E:a5 E:g3 etc.
Black would be unable to unpin, and so would 59... gh4!
have nothing better than 37 ... E:f2t 38.\tlg1 If 59 ... E:xf3? 60.\tlxf3 ~f7 61.\tlf2! ~e6
E:d2 allowing 39.~fl! with an imminent draw 62.\tle2, White can use the distant opposition
by repetition. to make a draw.
37... gdl t 38.\tlh2lLlxb2 60.gg3 fSt 61. <;t>O f4
Now, Black unpins and has two extra Now having a protected passed pawn, Black
pawns. is well on the way to victory.
39.gxdl lLlxdl 40.ixb7 a5 41.<;t>g3 lLlc3 62.gg1 gh3t 63.<;t>f2 ~ 64.gg2 <;t>e5
42.a3 b5 0-1 65.gg1 <;t>e4 66.gg2 0 67.gg1 <;t>f40-1
This fortunate last-round victory enabled me
to obtain my final GM norm. 10-9 L. Milesi - G. F1ear
St Affrique 2002
10-7 C. Duncan - G. F1ear
Hastings 1993/4 51.g0!
My opponent failed to save the actual game:
36.gf7! 51.E:b8t? \tlc3 52.E:c8 E:d1 t 53 .\tla2 E:d5
Instead 36.g4? turned out to be a fatal loss 54.E:h8 ~c2 55.E:h4 c3 56.E:h2t E:d2 57.E:h1
of time in the game: 36 .. .E:f4 37.h3 b3 (now c4 58.E:g1 E:d 1 59.E:g2t \tld3 60.E:g3t \tld4
Black can get his rook behind his b-pawn) 61.E:g4t \tlc5 0--1.
38.E:h8 \tlc5 39.E:b8 E:b4 40.E:d8 b2 41.E:d 1 51. .. gh2
E:c40- 1. If 51 ... c3, White reacts with 52.E:f8 E:h2
36... b3 37.gfB! <;t>c7 38.gf7t <;t>c8 39.gfBt 53.E:b8t \tlc4 54.E:c8 c2t 55 .\tlb2.
<;t>d7 40.gf7t <;t>d6 41.gb7 c5 42.<;t>g2! 52.gg3
White isn't worse. It seems that if he has time White is able to draw using a technique
to get his rook behind the passed pawn, then associated with Philidor.
his chances of getting something out of the 52... gh8 53.g0 ga8 54.gg3 &3 55.gg2
game increase dramatically. gh3 56.<;t>b2 c3t 57.<;t>c2 c4 58.gg8
Black will be unable to escape the checks.
10-8 P. Degembe - G. F1ear
St Vincent 2002 10-10 P. Wells - G. F1ear
Malta 1989
57.gf5?
The only move of the three that loses! 41.gxf7t! <;t>xf7 42.b7
Simplest is 57.g5t fxg5t 58.\tlg4! (but not One of the pawns will promote.
58.E:xg5?? E:f3t! 59. \tlxf3 \tlxg5 60.\tlg3 g6) 42... gxa7 43.b8=W1 gd7 44. <;t>f2lLl f6 45.W1 c8
58 .. .E:h4t 59 . ~g3 E:a4, as Black cannot do <;t>g7 46.W1c3 g5 47.<;t>g2 ge7 48.W1c5 <;t>fB
very much with a pair of g-pawns, e.g. 60.E:b3 49.W1fS gf7 50.<;t>h2 h6 IIz-V2
\tlh5 61.E:c3 E:a1 62.E:b3 g4 63.E:b5t g5
64.E:b8 E:a3t 65.~g2 g3 66.E:b4 g4 67.E:b8.
Otherwise, 57.\tlf5 is also possible, for
•
Until the Biner End!
10-11 10-14
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
Black played 66 ...~xf3.
Was this a good choice?
10-12
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
0
a b c d e f g h
10-13
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
• a b c d e f g h
•
10-11 N. Pert - G. Flear 10-13 G. Flear - C. Monroy

Great Yarmouth 2007 Guingamp 2008
64...<Jixg3! I had just played the thunderbolt 61.!!h5! and

Black must capture the knight! my shocked opponent was unable to find the
Retreating with 64 .. .'~{g5? doesn't work: best defence.
65.f7 ~ffi 66 . ~e4t 'it>xh5 67.'it>f6 'it>h6 61...<Jixh5?
68 .~g5 ~d7t 69.'it>e7 ~e5 70.ffi='lWt with Correct is 61...f3! when the following
check! remarkable sequence seems to be best play:
65.<JifS <Jih4 66.<Jig6llJffit 62.h7 (62.!!h2 £1 63.!!x£1 !!h3 64.!!f6 also
If 66 ... ~xf6?, White calmly continues with leads to a draw) 62 ... £1 63.!!h4t! (63.h8=~?
67.h6!. is bad, because 63 .. .fl='lWt comes with check!)
67.<Jig7 <JigS 68.h6 ~e6t 69.<Jif7 ~d8t 63 ... ~f5 64.!!h5t ~g6 65.!!h6t! ~ 66.!!f6t!
70.<Jig7 ~e6t 71.<Jif7 ~d8t n.<Jie7 ~c6t 'it>g7 (A pretty series of checks where White's
73.<Jiffi <Jixh6 74.f7 ~e5 lJz-¥z rook was en prise on h5, h4, h6 and f6 and was
never captured!) 67.!!xf2 and the endgame is
10-12 B. Taddei - G. F1ear drawn.
French League 2008 62.h7 <Jig4 63.h8='IW <Jig3 64.'lWhl
White has good winning chances, but I'm
5U!c6! still not sure if Black can draw with best play.
My opponent went astray with 51.'it> bl?, 64••. e5
and after 5l ...l:hg4 52.f6 !!f4 53.f7 h5 54.!!c5 Or 64 ... ~ 65.~h2t ~f3 66 .~d4 e5t
h4 55.!!h5 !!xf7 56.l:hh4 'it>b3 57.!!h3t c3 67.~d5!!e2 68 .~ gl !!e369 . ~f1 t 'it>g4 70.~e6
58.!!h 1 !!£1 he resigned (0- 1), as Black is and White continues to make progress.
winning easily, e.g. 59 .!!gl !!b2t 60.'it>el !!a2 65.'lWfl !!e4t 66.<Jid5 !!e3 67.<Jie6 <Jih2
61. 'it>b 1 c2t 62. 'it>el !!al t etc. 68.'lWflt <Jih3 69.<JifS e4 70.'lWflt <Jih2
51...<Jic2 71.'lWxf4t !!g3 n.<Jixe4 <Jigl 73.'lWd2t <Jih3
Following 5l .. .!!xg4 52.!!xh6 !!f4 53.!!h3t 74.'lWe2 ga3 75.<Jif4 ga4t 76.<Jif3 ga3t
'it>b4 54. ~b2 !!xf5 55.!!g3 !!£1t 56.~ b 1 77.<Jifl <Jih2 78.'lWe5t 1-0
c3 57.!!g8, it's a draw. Another example of
Philidor's defensive technique (see also 10-9). 10-14 Y. Solodovnichenko - G. Flear
52.<Jia2! Nimes 2008
Instead, the passive try 52.!!xh6 c3 53.!!a6,
seems to be inadequate, for example 53 ... !!d4 66...lbxf3!
54.f6 ~d2 55.f7 (or 55.!!c6 c2 56.g5 el='lWt In fact this is the most convincing way to
57.!!xel ~xcl 58 .~ a2 'it> c2 59.'it>a3 !!f4 etc) ensure a draw.
55 ... c2 56.!!c6 cl ='lWt 57.!!xel ~xcl 58.~a2 67.<Jixf3 <.tlxa6 68.h4 <Jib5! 69.h5
!!f4 and Black wins. Or 69.'it>e3 'it>c4 70.'it>d2 'it>d4=.
52... c3 53.<Jia3 69... <Jic4 70.h6 <Jib3!
The point becomes clear, White's king avoids Avoiding an eventual check on h8 and at the
slipping into a mating net. same time preparing 71...d2.
53 •.. h5 54.gxh5 !!xfS 55.h6 !!f7 56.!!c4 71.<Jie3 <Jic2 n.h7 d2 73.h8='IW dl='IW
<Jid3 57JJg4= ¥Z-¥2
•
Until the Bitter End!
10-15 10-18
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• a b c d e f g h • abc d e f g h
Black played 42 .. .!Zxa7. Was this wise?
10-16 10-19
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0 o
Would 51.~e4t be a good idea?
10-17 10-20
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
• a b c d e f g h
o
abc d e f g h
•
10-15 G. Flear - I.Rausis ~h7 64.~f7t ~h6 65.~fBt ~h7 66.~e7t

French League 1998 ~h6%-%
42.. J3xa7! 10-IS G. Flear - H. Happel

Well judged, as it saves the game! Montpellier 2006
43.gxa7 ~a7 44.~c5 e5 45.~d5 ~b6
46.~e6 ~c5 47.~xf6 ~d5 4S.~g5 ~e4 S2 ... ~eS!
49.~xh5 ro50.~g5 ~fl51.~f5 ~f3!
Black shouldn't allow the pawn to go any
further: 82 ... lLJc6? 83.gG lLJe7 84.g7t i'e8
An important move that has two functions.
52.~e5
85.ib3 md8 86.Wf7 md7 87.ic4 Wd6
If52.h5, then 52 ... e4Ieads to a draw. 88..ie6 1- 0 being the end of the game.
52... ~g4 112-1/2 S3.~g7 l'ilc6 84..id5 l'ile5 S5.~f6 l'ild7t
S6.~e6 l'ilfBt=
10-16 I. Argandona Riveiro - G. Flear
10-19 G. Flear - P. Tregubov
San Sebastian 2005
French League 2008
51.~e4t! 60.~g4!
A good move! The king is now ready to go to the f3-square
The game instead finished tragically for my if the pawn advances.
opponent: 5l.~a3?? 'iflh3t O-l. In the game, 60.ic2? turned out to be losing:
51...~xe4t 52.~xe4 ~g5 60 .. .e3 61.id1 ih8 62.We6 i'e4 63 .ic2t
Or 52 ... c3 53.';!{d3 mf5 54.mxc3 i'e4 i'f4 64.id3 d4 0-1, as Black would carryon
55.i'd2 i'f3 56.i'e1 f5 57.i'fl f4 58.me1 wf3
with ... and ...e2 etc.
i'g2 59.i'e2 i'gl 60.mf3= . 60....ihS
53.~d4 ~f4 54.~c4 ~e4 After 60 ... i'e3 6l.ia2! (switching the
No better is 54 ... i'f3 55.i'd4 f5 56.i'e5=. attack) 61.. .d4 62.mf5 (back again!) 62 ... ih8
55.~c3 f5 56.~d2 ~f3 57.~e1 ~g2 5S.f4! 63.id5 d3 64.ixe4 d2 65.ic2 it's drawn.
A useful resource in such positions. 61. ~f4.if6 62.ia2 .ie5 t 63. ~g4 e3 64.~f3
5S...~g3 59.~e2 ~f4 60.~fl ~d3 65..ixd5 e2 66..ic4t=
With a book draw.
10-20 G. Flear - C. Foisor
10-17 G. Flear - P. Orlov Montpellier 2008
Toulon 1986
39..ixa6! e3
54... .ig6! Not 39 ... bxa6?, due to the fork 40.ltJxc6t
The plausible 54 ... ib5, is refuted by 55.c6 followed by 41.lLJxd4.
ixc6 56.mc4 id5t 57.mxb4 ixa2 58.mxa3, 40.~f1! .ic3
with a winning position. After 40 ... exf2?, the pawn isn't that danger-
55.c6 ous, and so White has time to capture all the
Certainly not 55.ixgG? i>xgG 56.Wd3 b3! as queenside pawns: 41.ixb7 me6 42.lLJxc6 ie3
Black gets there first. 43..ia6 and White has an advantage.
55 ... .ixc2 56.c7 b3! 57.cS=~ b2 Otherwise, 40 ...ixc5 4l.fxe3 ixb4 42.exf4
White cannot stop Black promoting on the ixa5 43 .ixb7 is surely drawn.
queenside, so has to take a perpetual check. 41.l'ilxb7 .ixb4 42.fxe3 l'ile6 43.l'ild6 f4
5S.~d7t ~g6 59.~xe6t ~xg5 60.~f6t 44.exf4 l'ilxf4 45 ..icS .ixc5 46.l'ile4 .ib4
~h5 61.~hSt ~g6 62.~gSt ~h6 63.~fBt %-%
•
In this chapter, you will be confronted with a selection of relatively difficult exercises, involving a
wide mix of tactical themes.
My advice is to take your time! There is no rush! Get a good feel for what is going on, then find
the variations that will help you avoid traps, and ultimately, enable you to select the next move
with confidence.
You won't be certain in these exercises if you are seeking something dramatic or quiet,
advantageous, or only equalizing, but this is exactly the case in our own complicated struggles.
Don't be put off if you find them tough. If you have understood many of the essentials of the
position, you will give yourself chances to find the best move. Indeed you may at times be able to
do better than the players in the actual game!
First of all, some examples to warm up the neurons!

Correct is the immediate...

27 ...gxfl!
Less good is the flashy 27 ... tlJf3?!, in view
of 28.~xf3 ~hl t 29.~e2 'lWxg2t 30.~d3
~xf3 31.'lWg7t ~b8 32.'lWg5, although even
so, after 32 ....ie4t 33 ..ixe4 'lWxe4t 34.~d2
'lWg2t. Black would have some drawing
chances.
The choice in the game was even worse:
27 ... wb8? 28.tlJd4 'lWhlt (or 28 ...gxf2
29.tlJxc6t bxc6 30.'lWb4t Was 31.~xf2 'lWe5
• abc d e f g h
32.'lWf4 with a White advantage) 29.~e2
'lWh5t 30. ~el gxf2t 31.~xf2 tlJe4 t 32 ..ixe4
'lWh4t 33.~gl ~xe4 34.tlJxc6t bxc635.~xc6
G. Flear - F. Westphal 'lWxc6 (if 35 ...'lWxdt 36.~hl 'lWe5 37.'lWd7
Dortmund 1985 both kings are vulnerable, but White is still
better) 36.~xc6 ~xe3 37.~f2 ~d3 38.~c2
The question could be: Black should decide and I went on to win the endgame... 1-0.
between 27 ...gxf2, 27 ... tlJf3 and 27 ... ~b8 . 28.\Wg7t <j;>b8 29.\Wxg5 \Wglt 30.<j;>e2
Which one would you opt for? ib5t 31.<j;>d2fl=\W 32.~xfl \Wxfl33.\Wf4t
As a rule, I have given plenty of detail in \Wxf4 34.exf4 Ele2t
the answers in order to convince you of my When Black is on top.
assessments!
G. Flear - C. Adrian
French League 1997
The question in this example could be: How

8
to escape with Black?
7
27 ... tiJd2t!
6 The exchange 0 f queens after both 27 ...'IW c8?
5 28.'lWc6 and 27 ... ~xb5t?! 28Jhb5, would be
4 difficult for Black due to White's queenside
majority.
3
28.<j;>f2 \We4!
2
But not 28 ... tlJe4t?!, as White could then
• a b c d e f g h
get away with 29.~e3!, whereupon Black
would ha ve to accept a dodgy endgame.
29.'i'd7 \Wxf4t 30.<j;>e2 \We4t!
Also possible was 30 ...'lWfl t 31.~xd2
'lWf4t!.
31.<j;>dl \Wg4t 32.~d2 \Wd4t 33.<j;>c2
\Wc4t 34.<j;>bl \Wd3t 35.<j;>a2 \Wxd5t I/Z_%
•
Exercises
11-1 11-4
8 8
7 7
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0
Would White be wise to
capture the bishop?
11-2 11-5
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4
3 3
2 2
Black has to choose between How can Black hold?
23 ... 'lJd5 and 23 ...i.xe2.
11-3
, 7 1
8
7
'1
6
5
1.
4
3
2
•
0
a b c d e f g h
11-1 F. Sanz Alonso - G. Flear 'it>g7 43.1:!xg6t 'it>f7 44.d8=~ ~h 1t 45.Wg3

Andorra 1984 '&xh3t 46.Wf2 ~f3t 47.Wg1 ~fl t 48.Wh2
~hlt 49.'it>g3 ~h3t 50.Wf2 Y2- Y2.
30J'hc6? 33 ... f1.g8
Bad for tactical reasons. Whereas, my Neither 33 ... ~xd7 34.1:!fBt, nor 33 ...1:!xd7
opponent could have had a playable game after 34.~e8t ~g8 35 .~xd7Iast for long.
30.!'1.c1. 34.E!dl E!d8 35.Wle8t Wlg8 36.~e7 h6
30 .. .!'!e2 31.Wlxd5t ~h8 32.f4? 37.1:!d6 h5 38.E!xg6! ~xg6 39.~xd8t ~h7
Limiting the damage with 32.l:hh6t! is 4O.Wle7t <i?h6 41.~fBt
an improvement, but Black would still have A useful move in helping defend along the
good winning chances after the continuation first rank.
32. ..gxh6 33.~d4t Vfig7 34.~xg7t Wxg7 41...<i?h7 42.d&=WI Wlbl t 43.~fl
35 .1:!d1 1:!bb2. And White wins.
32... E!e1t 33Jhe1 Wlxelt 34.~h2 Wlh4t
35.<i?gl E!bl t 0-1 11-4 G. Flear -w. Kaiser
So, White shouldn't snatch the bishop! Bunde 1985
11-2 G. Flear - S. Kindermann Penetration with ...

Zug 1983 26 ...~c2!
... is awkward for White.
23 ... ixe2? The inferior 26 ... ctJd3? didn't work out
Black would have a clear advantage after well in the game: 27.W1xa6 ctJf2t 28.1:!xf2
23 ...ctJd5! 24.ctJxd5 1:!xc2. ~xf2 29.d6 ~d3 30.ctJe4 ~e1 31.1:!xe1 ~xd2
24.if5! 32.1:!gl 1- 0.
A fine intermediate move. 27.E!adl Wlxb2 28.f5 hc3 29.fxg6 hd2
24... ~g4 30.gxh7t <i?h8 31.E!xd2 Wlg7
Black loses material following 24 ...~d8 Black has an extra piece.
25.exf6 ~xd1 26.fxe7 ~xe7 27.ctJxd1.
25.Wlf4 Wlxf5 11-5 P. Wells - G. Flear
There aren't any decent alternatives. Edinburgh 1985
26.Wlxf5 f1.xc3 27.f1.e1 id3 28.~xg4 ixbl
29.id2 E!b3 3O.ha5 g6 31.h3 h5 32.~d7 I didn't find the pretty draw starting with ...
ih4 33.E!c1 b6 34.id2 E!d3 35.M4 ~h7 26 ...Wlxf5!!
36.~xa7 E!xd4 37.g3 id8 38.e6 f1.xf4 39.e7 I instead played 26 ...1:!g8?, and lost after
f1.xa4 4O.exffi=~t 1-0 27.~f3 ctJd5 28.fxe6t Wxe6 29.0-0 ~e4
30..ixb5 1:!xg2t?? 31.Wxg2 ctJe3t 32.Wh 1
11-3 G. Flear - J. Hjartarson ctJxf1 33.~xe4 1:!xe4 34.~xfl g b4 35.b3 We5
Chicago 1983 36.~c4 f5 37.1:!a1 1:!b7 38.ga5t Wf6 39.Wg2
1- 0.
I missed the following strong move ... 27.~g7t ~e8 28.~g8t ~d7 29.Wlxa8
33.~e6! f1oxe2t! 30.~xe2 Wle5t
Indeed I completely lost the thread in the White cannot escape from the perpetual
game: 33.h3? h5 34.1:!d1 Wh7 35.ctJe2 ~a8 check.
36.ctJf4 c3 37.ctJe6 ~f6 38.ctJxd8? (38.'it>h2!
c2 39.1:!fl! still wins!) 38 ... ~xd6 39.1:!xd6
c2 40.ctJe6 cl=~t 41.<i?h2 ~xg2! 42.ctJf8t
•
Tricky Decisions
11-6 11-9
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0
What is the defensive idea?
11-7 11-10
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0 0
Which is best: 27.~b5, Should White continue with the solid

27.~c8 or 27.~xc4? 32.~e4t or try the ambitious 32.g4?
11-8
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
0
a b c d e f g h
•
11-6 E. Prie - G. Flear 27...Y«c3 28.id3 hnt!

Montpellier 2003 The attack would be alarming after
28 ....ixd3?! 29.lLlxd3 'Wxc2 30.!!b5!.
34J3d2! 29.~xf2 ixd3 30.cxd3 axb4 31.!!e4 Y«c2t
.. .is necessary. Less precise is 3l...!!d4 32.!!xd4 Wi'xd4t
White lost quickly in the game after 34J'hf4?? 33 .Wi'e3, as White then may even have a pull.
'Wxf4 35.!!d2 'Wd6 36.Wi'e1 !!de80- 1. 32.~gl Y«xbl t 33.~h2 Y«xd3 34.!:lg4t Y«g6
34... tlJh3t 35.!:lxg6t fxg6 36.Y«xg6t
Or 34 ...!!xd5 35.!!xd5! (rather than A draw is available.
35 .!!xf4?? !!xf4 36.!!xd5 'Wf2t 37.\t>h2 !!h4#)
35 ... lLlh3t 36.gxh3 'Wxe4 37.!!d8 etc. 11-9 G. Flear - P.lten
35.gxh3 Y«xe4 36.~f6t! gxf6 37.!!xd8 Zug 1983
And White is okay.
29 ...Y«xg3t
11-7 G. Flear - G. Danner In the game, Black went wrong and soon
Lugano 1983 had to resign, i.e. 29 ... !!cl t? 30 ..id1 'Wxg3t
31. \t>d2 !!c6 32.!!xf7t! 1- 0.
White can consolidate his advantage with ... 30.!:lfl
27.ixc4! Not however 30.\t>d2?, because of
.. .when he has two extra pawns. 30 .. '!:!:d6t .
27.. Jhb2 28.ib5 30... Y«gl t 31.!:lfl Y«g3t 32.!:lfl Y«g1 t
And White is already winning. 33.ifl !:lel t 34. ~d2 Y«xf2t 35. ~el Y«xfl t
Unfortunately, in the game I erred with 36.Y«dl Y«c4t 37.Y«c2 Y«fl t=
27 ..ib5? and was hit with 27 ...!!xd6! 28.!!aa1
(or 28.!!xd6 !!e1 t 29.Wh2 .ie5t 30.g3 .ixd6 11-10 V. Chuchelov - G. Flear
31..ixd7? .ixa3 32.bxa3 !!el and Black is French League 2009
favourite) 28 ...!!xd1 t 29.!!xd1 lLlb6 30.Wfl
.if6 31.!!d6 !!e6 32.!!xe6 fxe6 33.lLld 1 Yz- Yz. 32.g4?
Otherwise, the third option, 27 ..ic8, is This proves to be too compromising.
similar after 27 ... !!xd6 28.!!xd6 !!e1 t 29.\t>h2 My opponent should have settled for
.ie5t 30.g3 .ixd6. 32.~e4t Wi'g6 33.'Wxg6t Wxg6 with an extra
pawn, although Black would then have good
11-8 J. Mestel- G. Flear compensation.
London 1986 32...Y«xh3! 33.Y«e4t g6 34.Y«xc2 ~f4
White has snatched a rook, but his king is
27.ie2! impossible to defend.
For the attack to get anywhere, White must 35.Y«e4
eliminate the main defender, which is the If 35.f3, then 35 ... ~g3t 36.\t>fl (equally
light-squared bishop. hopeless is 36.\t>h1 'Wxf3t 37 .'~h2 lLle2)
Instead, the game tipped in Black's favour 36 ... Wi'xf3t 37.\t>gl lLle2t etc.
after 27.!!b3? !!fe8 28.!!eb 1 Wi'c5?! (simply 35 ... Y«xg4t 36.~h2 Y«h4t 37.~gl ~h3t
28 ... axb4!) 29.lLld3? (29 ..ih5! wouldn't have 0-1
been so clear) 29 ...'Wxc2 30..id 1 !!e 1t! 31.\t>h2
!!xd1 32.!!b8 'Wc7t 0-1.
•
Tricky Decisions
11·11 11·14
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
o 0
11·12 11·15
o
11·13
o
abc d e f g h
•
11-11 M. Huerga Leache - G. Flear i.d4t 29.Wh 1 Wf7 30.i.c3 i.xc5, no longer
San Sebastian 2009 had any advantage.
Alternatively, 26.'& e2? is also inferior because
43.~e6! of 26 ...i.xc5t 27.Wfl f3!.
The game was drawn after 43.b5? Wh7! 26 .. Jhd2
44.g4 ~c2t 45 .~g3 ~b1 46.ltJf5 (if 46.~g8t If 26 ... i.xc5t, White has 27.i.e3!.
Wxh6 47. ~h8t Black has the handy defensive 27.ltJe4 ~d5 28.~c3
move 47 ... ~h7) 46 .. .~gl t Yz- Y2. . .. with a big advantage.
Otherwise after 43.g4? Wh7 44.g5 '&c2t
45.Wg3 '&c1 46.ltJg4 '&gl t, White's king can't 11-14 G. Flear - J. Fedorowicz
escape from the checks. Chicago 1983
43 ...~c2t
Following 43 ... '&xe6 44.dxe6 gxh6 45.b5 25.E:h4?
i.d8 46.b6, the bishop is overloaded. A blunder.
44.~h3 ~h7 45.~fSt An improvement is 25.E:e2, e.g. 25 ...i.f6
... with a winning endgame. 26.i.b3 E:e8 27.i.c5 ltJc8 28.i.xf7 E:xe7
29 .i.xe7 ltJxe7 when the result would be in
11-12 M. Grignon - G. F1ear doubt.
Narbonne-plage 2010 The nuance, 25 .E:f4 f5 26.E:b4 offers a better
version of the game, as after 26 ...i.f8 (26 ... E:e8
3IJ~f1!
can be well met by 27.ltJxg6! Wxg6 28.i.xb6)
The game continuation was disappointing
27.i.xb6 i.xe7 28.E:d4, the resource E:d7
for my opponent: 31 .ltJxe4? ~f3 32.~d3
comes to White's rescue.
(32.'&xf7t? '&xf7!) 32...ltJxd 33.E:c8t Wg7
25 ... E:e8
34.E:c2 ~fl t 0- 1.
The knight is out of squares!
Another plausible move is 31.'&e2!?,
26.~c5 ~f8 27.a4 as 28JU4 fS 29.~xb6
although then 31...'&f3 32.E:e1 h6!? 33.~g2
cxb6 30.~xfS gd5 31.E:xfS ~g6 32.~c2
~xg2t 34.Wxg2 E:f2t 35.Wg1 E:xh2 36.ltJxe4
E:el t 33.~d2 ~b4t 0-1
E:a2 would offer Black reasonable drawing
chances.
11-15 G. F1ear - J. Cooper
31...~xe3
Blackpool1988
Alternatively, 3l...~xfl t 32.'&xfl E:xf1 t
33.Wxfl ltJxe3t 34.We2 ltJf5 35.d5 g4
The modest-looking move ...
36.tLlxe4 W 37.Wd3 would be difficult for
29 ...~c4!
Black.
...embarrasses White.
32.~xf7t ~xf7 33Jhf6t ~xf6 34.~xe4t
My opponent instead continued with
~fS 35.~d6t ~e6 36.~b5 a6 37.~c7t
the natural 29 ... E:e2?, but it proved to be
~d6 38.~xa6 ~c4 39.~c5 ~xa5 40.~e4t
ineffective: 30.E:xe2 E:xe2 31.i.f6 ~d2?
~d5 41.~xg5
(31 ...i.d8! 32.~d4 ~xd4 33.i.xd4 i.b6 with
I think that White should be winning here.
sporting chances to hold out) 32.'&h3! 1- 0.
30.gg1
11-13 O. Jackson - G. F1ear
If 30.Wg2 E:d5 31.b3, Black has a win with
Hastings 1983/4
31...E:xd4!.
26.~f3! 30...~xd4 31.~xd4 E:h6t 32.~g2 ge2t
My opponent instead opted for 26.ltJe4?, but 33.gxe2 ~xe2t 34.~f2 gh2t
following 26 ... E:xd3 27.ltJxf6t i.xf6 28.cxd3 And wins.
•
Tricky Decisions
11-16 11-19
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4
3 3
2 2
0 o
10-17
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
o
abc d e f g h
11-18
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
o
abc d e f g h
•
11-16 G. Flear - J. Hickl 11-18 M. Sandu - G. Flear

Tel Aviv 1989 Montpellier 2006
I chose the wrong square! The best bet in this sharp position is .. .
37.~gl! 41.gb7!
...is correct. ... with complications that seem to be about
In the game, following37 .~fl ?~xb7 38.~c6 equal, for example:
~a6, the pin was bad news for White, and then 41. .. ftJd6! 42J'k7t! ~d5 43.ic6t ~e5
the further moves 39 .~gl ~a1t 40.~ h2 ~fl 44.ge7 dxc3t 45.~c3 gbl46.ixd6t ~d6
4l.~d7t ~ ffi 42.~f5t ~ g8 enabled Black to 47.gxe6t ~xe6 48.ixB
obtain a winning position. The endgame is drawn .
37...Wlxh3 Alternatives in the initial position are not as
The difference here after 37 ...~xb7 38 .~c6, trustworthy:
is that Black cannot count on the deadly pin 1) Following 4l.gc7t?! ~b6 42.gc6t ~ b7
that occurs in the previous note. 43.i.e5 i.d5!, the passed f-pawn offers Black
38.ftJ7xd6t ~ffi 39.Wlfl Wlg4t 40.~h2 the advantage.
There is nothing better than taking a 2) The game continued with41.cxd4t?! ~d5!
perpetual check. 42 . ~c3? (White has more practical chances
with 42.ga7! ~xd4! 43.ga3 f2 44.i.a7t ~d5)
11-17 G. Flear-A. Vajda 42 ...gb1 43.i.h5 ~xd4 44.i.g3 tLle2t 45.@d2
Montpellier 2003 tLlxg3 46.i.xf3t ~ e5 47.ge7 tLlf5 48.ge8 ggl
49.i.e2lLld60-1.
White can even dare capture the pawn with ...
6o.Wlxc6! 11-19 G. Flear - L. Gutman
.. .as then .. . London 1987
6o...Wlc2t 61.~e3 Wlb3t 62.~d4 Wlxb4t
63. ~d5 Wlb3t 64. ~d6 It was so hard to find the best move at the time,
.. .yields a decisive advantage. especially as I had just let slip a big advantage.
Unfortunately, this is just analysis, as at 48.e5!
the time my blunder 60.~c4?? allowed Black Black has too many threats in each of the
to turn the tables: 60 ...gg7 6l.~f3 ~g4t following variations:
62.~f2 &7 63.b5 cxb5 64 .~xb5 ~xe6 65.c6 1) 48 .~xh3? ~e3 49.tLlxa5 b3-+
f5 66. ~b2t ~h7 67.g4 ~e1 t 68.~f3 ~h1 t 2) 48 .~e2? i.xh2 49 .~xh2 b3- +
69.~g3 ~gl t O- l. 3) 48.tLlxa5? (the game) 48 ... i.xh2 49.~xh3
Another try 60.~e2, leads to complicated ~xa5 50.~xh2 b3 51.~e2 ~xa4 52 .~d3 ~b4
play: 60 ... gg8 (60 ...gxf4t 6l.gxf4 ~xf4t 53 .~e3 ~c4 54 . ~f3 ~c2t 0-1.
62.~f3 ~xh2t 63. ~ fl ~g7 64.~xc6 ~f4t 48 ... Wle3 49.ftJxa5 £Xe5
65. ~ gl ~xb4 is messy, but nevertheless Better than 49 .. .i.xh2?! 50.exf6t ~xf6
probably drawn) 6l.e7 ge8 62 .~el ~b1t 5l.~xh3 i.xg3 52.~h8t ~f5 53 .~ a2, when
63. ~ f2 ~f5= White would have the superior position.
50.£Xe5 Wle4t 51.~a2 Wlxd5t 52.ftJb3 Wld7
53.Wlxgl Wlxa4t 54.@bl Wlxb3 55.Wld4
With a balanced endgame.
•
Tricky Decisions
11-20 11-22
8
7
6
5
4
. ",,,,,"""".,,,,
3
2
o o
11-21
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
• 1
abc d e f g h
•
11-20 G. F1ear -A. Martidis Wxg4 45.h3t Wh5 46.!1.xh6t Wxh6 47.~f8t
Heraklion 1984 Wg6 48.!1.g7t Wh6 49.£xd7t Wg6 50.!1.g7t
Wh6 51.!1.c7t Wg6= and all that ... is basically
22.h3!! forced!
With so many pieces already in the thick of Alternatively, 36.!1.f6t ~xf6 37.!1.xf6t Wxf6
battle, it's surprising that this modest pawn 38.~xc5t Wf5 39 .~b1 !1.ee2, wouldn't give
move is correct. Black any problems.
22...ih5 23.i.xa2?! 36.. J3e2 37.Y«bl t Y«e4 38.!1.f6t i>h7
Even stronger is 23.g4! !1.xe 1t 24.!1.xe 1 ~b2 39.!1.f7t i>g8 40.!1.ffit i>h7 41.!1.1f7t i>g6
25.i.xc6. 42.!1.f6t i>h7=
23 .. &d3 24.g4! III d4!
24 ...!1.xe1 t? 25.!1.xe1 just suits White. 11-22 D. Anderton - G. Flear
25.i>fl !1.dd2? British League 2006
White is certainly better after 25 ...!1.xh3, but
Black could retain hope, e.g. 26J%xe2 lllxe2 26.g3!
27.!1.c4 ~xg4 (similarly with 27 ...~g6 28.liJ d5 My opponent played 26.ttlh6t?, but he
h5 29.!1.c8t Wh7 30.Wxe2) 28.!1.xg4 ttlc3 didn't obtain any compensation for his pawn
29.~c4. after 26 ... '&xh6 27.£xd4 ~g5 28.'&d3 !1.xd4
26.!1.xe2liJxe2 27.!1.e1 ig6 28.ic4! 1-0 29. ~xd4 a6 .
Even worse, 26.£xd4? £xd4 27.'&xd4?, loses
11-21 P. Large - G. F1ear on the spot to 27 ... !1.el t.
Southport 1983 26 ... !1.e1 t!
26 ... ttlf3t leads to a draw, e.g. 27.Wg2
35.. .'IWxe6! ~xc4 28.£xd8 ttlh4t 29 .Wh2 ttlf3t 30.Wg2
I played 35 ...dxe6? which should lose: ttlh4t=.
36.'&c7?? (missing a win with 36.'&b1! '&e4 27.gxel!
37.!1.e1!) 36...~b7 37.'&a5 !1.xg2! 38.~c3 !1.g4 Instead, 27.Wh2? is refuted by 27 ...!1.xd1
39.'&f6t Wh7 40.h3!1.h4 41.Wg1 e5 42 .~f7t 28.!1.xd1 b5!.
~xf7 43.!1.xf7t Wg6 44.!1.lf6t Wh5 45.!1.h7 27... liJ f3t
~xh3 46.~xc5 !1.c4 47.!1.fxh6t Wg4 48.~e3 White would obtain a strong initiative after
!1.b8 49.!1.xh3 !1.b3 50.Wh2 !1.c2t 0-1. 27 ... ~xd2?! 28.£e7.
The final way to capture the pawn, 28.i>hl Y«xd2 29.ge3 gd4!
35 ...!1.xe6?, isn't great: 36.'&d8 !1.xg2 37.'&xc8 The retreat 29 ... ttlg5? is bad because of
!1.d2 38.'&g8t Wh5 39.~f7t !1.g6 40 .~xc5! 30.'&f4 with an attack.
with advantage. The bishop is taboo, and Nor is 29 ...'&d1 t?! 30.Wg2 ttle 1t satisfactory,
the endgame will be difficult to hold a piece because White would then have 31.!1.xe I! ~ xe 1
down. 32.liJh6t Wg7 33 . ~xf7t Wxh6 34.~f4t Wg7
Finally, 35 ... ~d2?! 36.!1.g1 '&b4 (36 ...dxe6? 35 .~c7t Wh6 36.~xd8 with all the chances.
37.~c6) 37.~xb4 cxb4 38.e7, yields the better 30.lilh6t! i>h8! 31.ge8t i>g7 32.Y«xf7t
game for White. i>xh633.Y«xf3
36.h3! Or 33.'&f8t Wg5 34.Wg2 ~d1 35.'&xf3=.
Instead, 36. ~b1 ~e4 37.~a1 '&d4 38 .~b1 33...Y«dlt 34.Y«xdl gxdlt 35.i>g2 gd7=
'&d2 39.!1.3f2 ~2 40.!1.f6t seems to be equal.
Continuing further, the variation leads to an
aesthetic conclusion, i.e. 40 ... Wh7 41.!1.f7t
Wg6 42.!1.lf6t Wh5 43.~fl !1.el 44.g4t
•
AI; we approach the end of the book, it's time for a chapter with experienced players in mind.
In hard-fought encounters, when play becomes murky, we are often confronted with situations
where it is impossible to see as much as we would like. Nevertheless, in our own games, whatever
the difficulty, we still have to make our next move.
You will, as usual, be asked to maximize the chances for the side whose turn it is, but here to
justify your decision, you will probably have to delve even deeper into the labyrinth of variations.
As in the real world, even if you think that you have found the key move, it will at times be just
one step along the long and winding road towards an unknown destination!
Later, in the solutions, you will be able to see how close your line of reasoning and calculations
were to mine.
These relatively tougher exercises are ideal for training purposes, and you rna y find that comparing
your efforts with those of some friends will enable you to get closer to the truth of what is really
going on.
You can, if you like, also test yourself in a more concrete manner than in the previous chapters.
In the solutions you will notice that I have included a point-scoring system. This is roughly based
on the principle that each move in the variations that earns a '!' is worth a point. So scribble down
plenty of variations, and then compare them with those in the solutions, as you will increase your
chances of a good score!
The maximum number for each exercise is indicated at the beginning of each solution. There are,
in total, 78 points to be scored:
GM performance 60 points or more

1M performance 50 to 59
International player 40 to 49
Tournament player 30 to 39
Club player 20 to 29
Apprentice 10 to 19
Beginner 9 or less
As a general rule, an effective way of improving your playing level is to analyse complicated positions
and try to find the best continuation. If you do this regularly (without an analysis engine!) you will soon
notice the difference in your over-the-board calculating ability.
Chess is not an Easy Game
Here is an example to illustrate the point-scoring system.
G. Flear - M. IIIesas Cordoba

Plovdiv 2003
8
7 (7 points) The total for this 'exercise'.
6 35.. .'.1«£7!
5 (1) As there is an exclamation mark, this
earns a point.
4
The game finished peacefully with 35 ... Wg8
3 36.'We8t Wg7 37.'Welt Wg8 YZ-Y2.
2 My opponent had very little time remaining
and the match situation permined him to
0 settle for a draw.
a b c d e f g h In the post-mortem, we were able to work
out how Black could play for more.
36.We5t
Or 36."We2 lLle4!, (1) Seeing this move
would enable you to score a second point!
36... Wf6 37.Yl!Id5 ~e4!
(1) Another '!', that makes three.
38.Wd7t W£7!
8 (1) A fourth point.
7 39.Wd4t
6
(diagram)
5
4 39... ~h6!
3 (1) A fifth point!
2 40.We3t g5!
(1) A sixth point!
• a b c d e f g h
4U;gl ~xf2t 42.~g2 dl=W 43Jhdl
~xdl 44.Wd4 Wd5t!
The last one may seem deep into the game,
but the final '!' would still earn you a seventh
point!
So this introductory example could (if
it were a real exercise) have given you a
maximum of seven points.
There is no obligation to bother with
scoring, you have the choice, but it may help
you to be even more focused on your search
for 'tactical points'!
•
,seOIS' (lUSN!!!
Exercises
12-1 12-3
8 8
7 7
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0 0
12-2 12-4
8
7
7
6
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
2
• a b c d e f g h
0
a b c d e f g h
•
12-1 M. Lomineishvili - G. Flear 12-3 G. Flear - W. Watson

Tunis 2000 Hastings 1984/5
(4 points) (2 points)
36.!!d7t! (1) 26.iLld5! (1) 26 ...YlVd8 27.iLlxc6 iLlxc6
The game ended with 36.i::!.h7? i::!.f8 37.i::!.d7t 28.!!xc6iLlc5 29.i::!.c8! (1)
@e8 38.i::!.e7t @d8 39.i::!.d7t @e840.i::!.c7@d8 White is better in all lines.
lI2-lI2. 29 ...YlVa5
Remarkably, despite lacking a rook, White After 29 .. .~xc8 30.CiJe7t @f8 31.4Jxc8
can play for more. 4Jxb3, White emerges with an extra pawn
36... @e8 37.!!h7! (1) 37...!!fB following 32.4Jxd6 (or even 32 ..ixa6 .ib2
37 ... i::!.c610ses to 38.i::!.c7! (1). 33.4Jxd6 .ixa3 34.CiJxe8 @xe8) 32 ....ib2
38.d7t ~d8 39.dxc8=YlVt Wxc8 33.4Jxe8 @xe8 34.a4 and thus has excellent
Material is back to level, but White has the winning chances.
initiative. 30.!!xe8t ~h7 31.!!bb8 YlVxa3 32.ie3
4O.i::!.a7! (1) 40 ... c2 Two rooks and a bishop are too much for a
After 40 ...@b8 41.i::!.a2, Black has even less queen to handle.
chances than in the main line. 32... l'tJd7 33.!!b7 iLle5 34.f4 iLlg4 35.!!xf7
41.i::!.al i::!.a 42.i::!.c1 !!c3 YlVa2
It seems that White has good winning The capture 35 ... CiJxe3 invites 36.CiJf6t @h6
chances, for example: 37.i::!.h8t .ixh8 38.i::!.h7#.
43.~e7 36.l'tJf6t iLlxf6 37.!!ee7l'tJg4 38.!!xg7t ~h8
Otherwise, 43.@d6 @d8 44.e6 @e8 45.d5 39.id2 YlVal
g5 46.@e5 and 43.d5 @d8 (43 ... g5 44.@e7!) Or 39 ...~xd2 40.i::!.h7t @g8 41..ic4t @m
44.d6 are also promising. 42.i::!.hf7t @g8 43.i::!.e8#.
43 ... !!c7t 44. ~e8 !!c3 45.d5 i::!.c5 46.e6 ~c7 40.!!h7t ~g8 41.!!eg7t ~f8 42.!!f7t 1-0
47.~fB !!xd5 48.!!xc2t ~d6 49.e7 !!fSt
50.~e8 !!e5 51.i::!.d2t ~e6 52.~d8 ~f7 12-4 M. Kazhgaleyev - G. Flear
53.!!Ut ~g7 54.e8=YlV French League 2001
And White wins. (5 points)
64.!!a3t! (1)
12-2 G. Flear - J. Burnett White has to be precise, for example 64.i::!.a1
Torquay 1982 g4 65.i::!.g7 .id3 66.i::!.xg4 fl =~ 67.i::!.xfl .ixfl
(3 points) is only drawn.
38... iLl xd5! (1) 64... ~f4 65.!!f7t! (1) 65 ...5 66.!!al! (1)
Black seizes the initiative. The game finished with 66.i::!.xf5t? @xf5
39.iLlxd6t! (1) lI2-lI2, as 67.i::!.f3t @e4 68.i::!.xf2 g4 offers no
The best defence. Much worse are both winning chances.
39.exd5? e4 and 39.cxd5? .ixb5 40.i::!.xb5 i::!.xb5 66 ... g4 67.!!dl! (1) 67... g3 68.!!d5! (1)
41.~c4? 4Jc7. 68 ...g2 69.!!dxBt ~e3
39 ... YlVxd6 4O.cxd5 i::!.xb2 41.YlVxb2 c4! (1) Other moves are no better, e.g. 69 .. .@e4
42.ie2 70.i::!.f4t @e5 71.i::!.xf2 gl=~ 72.i::!.e7# or
Not 42 ..ixc4?? ~c5t. 69 ... @g4 70.i::!.xf2 gl=~ 71.i::!.g7t.
42 ... iLlc7 I/z-lj2 70.!!e5t ~d3 71.!!Ot
Black could perhaps have tried for more with Mate in four.
42 .. ..ie7!? 43.@fl ~xa3 .
•
12-5 12-7
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
0 0
12-6 12-8
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0 0
•
12-5 G. Flear - D. Leygue The other tries are no better: 45 ... g5? (too
Creon 2001 weakening for Black's king) 46.fxg5 f4 is met
(4 points) with 47.'M!g4; whilst after 45 ... a3 (too slow)
26.lOc3! (1) 46.lUxf5 'M!xg2t 47.Wxg2 i.xg2 48.lUd4 only
White brings the last piece into play and can White can ha ve serious winning aspirations.
count on some advantage. 46.lOxc4 Wfe2 47.Wfxg2 Wfxc4 48.Wfxa8
On the other hand, after 26.e8= Wt?! lUxe8 Wfxf4t=
27.!he8t !:lxe8 28.i.xe8 a6, it's not clear who
is better. 12-7 A. Antunes - G. Flear
26 ... a6 27.lOe4! (1) Pau 1988
Trading a ff Black's knight. (3 points)
27... lOxe4 28Jhe4 id4t 21.g4! (1)
If 28 ... axb5 29.e8='M!t !:lxe8 30.!:lxe8t White has to react immediately.
i.ffi, White wins by continuing with 31.!:la I! 21..J!fd8 22.gxf5 !:ldl 23.!:lxdl !:lxdl
(1) 3l...~g7 (or 31...f5 32.!:laa8 !:lf6 33.d6) 24.Wfa8t Wf7 25.fxe6t ~e7 26.~xe3! (1)
32.!:laa8 as the bishop is lost. 26.'M!g8! (1) comes to the same thing, and is
29.!:ldxd4! (1) 29 ... cxd4 30.e8=Wft !:lxe8 also worth a point.
31.l::lxe8t ~g7 32.ic4 b5 33.ia2 1-0 However, not 26.~xd1? in view of
26 .. .f1=Wt 27.lUe 1i.f2when Black is winning:
12-6 C. Carton - G. Flear 28.We4 'M!xe 1t 29.Wxe 1 i.xe 1 30.~xe 1 ~xe6
French League 2002 31. ~e2 ~xe5 etc.
(4 points) 26 ... f1=Wf 27.Wfg8!:le1 t 28.~f4! (1) 1-0
42.c6! (1)
The initiative is all important. 12-8 G. Flear - S. Garza Marco
The game ended as follows: 42.cxd5? i.xd5 Spanish League 2006
43.!:lxd7 (best would have been 43.!:lb2 We 1 (4 points)
with only a slight edge for Black) 43 ... Wd2 42.g6! (1) 42 ... hxg6 43.!:l6d5t ~c6
44.'M!g3 'M!xg2t! 45.'M!xg2 i.xg2 46.~xg2 a3 44.!:lh5!! (2)
47.lUxf5 a2 48.l%d1 a1='M! 49.l%xa1l%xa1 50.c6 Two points for this excellent shot!
l%cl 5I.lUe7 g6 52.~f3 ~g7 53.f5 g5 54.~e4 44... l'H2
l%e1 to-I. The desperate counter 44 ... l%gl t 45.~b2
42 ... dxc4! (1) l%g2t 46.~a3 i.b 1 is met by 47.b4! (1).
The weaker 42 ... dxc6? even loses, e.g. 45.h7l'H846.h8=Wf ihh8 47Jhh81-O
43.Wb2l%g844.lUe8.
43.c7! (1)
The complications are not at all dear, but
instead, following the inferior 43.cxd7?, the pawn
would be rapidly lost after 43 ... l%d8 etc.
43...id5
If 43 ... c3, matters seem to be balanced:
44.l%b8 Wxc7 45.l%xa8 c2 46.l%c8 cl ='M!
47.Wxcl Wxd6=.
44.!:lb5 Wfd2 45.Wfg3! (1)
Otherwise, 45.!:lxd5 'M!xd5 46.c8=W l%xc8
47.lUxc8 Wd2 favours Black.
45 ...ixg2
•
12-9 12-11
12-10
o
abc d e f g h
•
12-9 M. Aguettaz - G. Flear 18...ib4

French League 2009 The alternatives 18 ... fxe6? 19.!!xe6t ~e7
(5 points) 20.~g5 and 18 ...~e7 19 .~c6t! \t>f8 20.axb3
39...'ftxg3t!! (2) 'Wb4 are not comfortable for Black.
Two points for this surprise! Black thus avoids 19.axb3! (1) 19 ... ixe120.'ftc6t! (1) 20 ... ~ffi
defeat and even has chances to be better. 21.ie3 'ftd6?
After 39 ... !!xg6? 40.fxg6 \t>xg6 41.hxg5 ~d6 Hopeless.
42.!!ef2, White's pressure is too strong. Instead, 21.. .~e4? isn't playable either,
4O.'ftxg3 ttlxg3 41..!3xe8 ttlxfl 42.ttle7! (1) for example 22.~c5t \t>g8 23.exf7t \t>xf7
42 ... ttle3t 24 .~xc7t \t>e8 25.~xg7 .
Which square for the king? The best chance is 2l...~f6! (1), e.g. 22.~c5t
43.~hl \t>g8 23.!!xe 1 fxe6 24.!!xe6 ~f7 (24 .. .~f4
Best seems to be 43.\t>f2! (1) 43 ... ttJg4t 25.ttJe3 with plenty of play for White) 25.!!e7
44.\t>g3 !!f7 45.!!h8t \t>g7 46.!!xh5 !!xe7 ~f6 26.~xc7 !!e8 27.!!d7 ~f7 and Black can
47.!!xg5t \t>f6 48.!!xg4 \t>xf5 with equality. perhaps hold out.
If 43.\t>f3 ttJxf5 44.ttJg8t \t>g7 45.ttJxf6 22.ics ib4 23.ixd6t ixd6 24.exf7 hS
ttJxh4t 46.\t>f2 \t>xf6 47.!!b8, the ending is 2S ..!3xa6 hxg4 26.hxg4 b4 27.ttle3 ixf7
complicated, but I prefer Black, for example 28..!3a8 !:&e8 29.ttl5 ih2t 30.~g2 !:&xa8
after the further moves 47 ... ttJf5 48.!!xb7 31.'ftxa8t ie8 32.'ftd8 1-0
ttJxd4 49.!!a7 h4 50.!!xa5 g4 51.!!a8 ttJf5 .
43 ..•.!3U! (1) 44.£6 12-11 G. F1ear - F. Libiszewski
Or 44.ttJxc6 ttJxf5 45.ttJd8 !!d7 46.hxg5t Marseille 2005
\t>xg5 with a black advantage. (4 points)
44... gxh4 20 ... ixh3!! (2)
Better than 44 ... g4?! 45.!!h8t !!h7=. Demolishing White's defences.
After 44 ...gxh4, my opponent resigned 21.gxh3 ieS! (1)
somewhat prematurely but, even so, analysis With multiple threats.
demonstrates that Black is much better: 22.ixh7t
45.ttJxc6 (or 45.ttJg8t?! \t>h7 46.!!xe3 \t>xg8 If 22.~c3, then following 22 ...!!ac8 23. ~f2
47.!!e8t \t>h7 48.\t>h2 \t>g6 49.\t>h3 !!xf6--+) {or 23.~xh7t \t>h8 24.~xe5 (24.~f2 ~xf2t
45 ... bxc6 (also possible is 45 ... ttJg4 46.ttJd8 25.\t>xf2 ~xc3 26.M5 ~xal 27 . ~xc8 ~d4t)
!!xf6 47.!!e6 !!xe6 48.ttJxe6 ttJe3 etc.) 46.!!xe3 24 ... !!xc2 25.~xc2 ~g5t etc.) 23 ...~xf2t
!!xf6 47. \t>g2 (or 47.!!e5 !!f4 48.!!e6t \t>g5 24.\t>xf2 !!xc3 White would have to accept a
49.!!xc6 !!xd4 50.!!c5 \t>g4) 47 .. .!!f4 48.!!e6t long and unpleasant defence.
\t>g5 49.!!xc6 !!xd4 and Black should win. 22 ... ~h8 23.ie4 ixal 24.!:&xal 5! (I)
2s.if.3
12-10A. Shirov - G. F1ear 25.i.xf510ses to 25 ...~g3t 26.\t>hl 'Wf3t.
British League 2005 2S ...'ftd4t 26.~g2 'ftxal 27.'ftd3
(4 points) Or 27.~c3 !!ac8.
18.e6! (1) 27... !:&£6 28.ihS!:&d829.igS 'ftxa2t 30.~f1
A fine Zwischenzug. 'ftal t 31.~g2 'ftb2t 32.~f1 !:&dd633.ix£6
The routine option, 18.axb3?! ~b4 19.~e3 'ftxf6 34.if.3 'fteS 3S.Wic4 bS 36.'ftcS ~h7
'W d5, isn't particularly dangerous, because after 37.M &6 38.'ftfl Wial t 39.~g2 !:&g6t
20.~xd5 !!xd5 21.!!ecl 0-0 22.!!xc7 a5, Black 40.~h3 'ftc3 0-1
has the bishop pair as compensation for the
pawn.
•
12-12 12-14
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
12-13
•
12-12 G. Flear - J.P. Boudre 12-14 H. Hamdouchi - G. Flear

St Affrique 2009 St Affrique 2007
37... li)xe4t!! (2) 4O ... YlYg2t!! (2)
The game finished with 37 ...4Jh 1t? 38.\t>gl An astonishing move! I only had a couple
4Jf4 39.~a8 ~xg2t 40.\t>xh 1 4Jxd5 41.~xe8 of minutes on the clock, so had to take a
4Jf4 42.4Jd5 1- 0. calculated risk. Fortunately the variations hold
38.fxe4li)f4! (1) together for Black.
Or similarly 38...~xg2t 39.\t>fl (39.\t>xg2?! The only half-decent alternative would be
4Jf4t 40.\t>f2 4Jxd5 4l.4Jxd5 Wh5 seems 40 ... ~xgG!? 41.Wxg6i.gl t! 42.Wxgl (certainly
dangerous for White) 39 ... 4Jf4, which also not 42.\t>xgl?? ~g8) 42 ... ~g8 43.Wf2, with a
merits one point (1). small advantage for White. If you suggested
39.ga8 ~xg2t 40. ~f1 this line instead of the game continuation, it's
Not 40.\t>el ~gl t 4l.\t>d2?, because of worth a point.
4l...~dl t! (1) 42.\t>xdl Wh5t. 41.~xg2 gxg6t! (1)
40...li)xd5 41.gxe8 li)e3t 42.~el ~c2t Incorrect is 4l...4Jxf4t? 42.\t>f3 4JxgG
43.~dlli)e3t 44.~el 43.i.g3, as White then has a big advantage.
With a repetition. Note that 44.\t>cl? 42.~f3
wouldn't be wise in view of 44 ...~gl t 45.\t>dl Not 42.Wxg6?? due to 42 ... 4Jxf4t.
4Jc4t. 42. ..,tc6t! (1) 43.li)e4 gcg8 44.YlYxd6
If 44.i.g5, Black has to continue with
12-13 T. Ringoir - G. Flear 44 ... ~xg5! (1) (44 .. .hxg5? 45.Wxd6) 45.fxg5
Chamalieres 2008 ~xg5 46.Wxd6 ~g3t=.
(4 points) 44...gg3t! (1) 45.,txg3 gxg3t 46.~e2
15 ...,tg4!! (2) ~4t 47.~d2 gg2t
The arrack is worth a piece. Simplification with 47 ... i.e3t? 48.\t>c3
16.hxg4 hxg4 17.YlYg3 i.c5t 49.4Jxg3 isn't possible due to White's
Or 17.Wf4 i.d6! (1) 18.Wg5 (l8.Wxd4 Wh5 passed pawns.
19.\t>fl 4Jc6 with another powerful arrack) 48.~dl gglt 49.~d2 gg2t 50.~dl VI-V2
18 ... Wh7 19.f4 gxf3 20.\t>f2 Wh2 21.4Jdl
fxg2 22.~gl i.f4 23.4Jf3 i.xg5 24.4Jxh2 i.xcl
25.~axcl ~xh2.
17... li)f5 18.YlYe5
Otherwise, 18.Wc7 is refuted in style by
18 ...Wh5! (1), for example 19.Wxc5t \t>g8
20.\t>fl WhIt 21.\t>e2 ~e8t 22.i.e3 Wxg2
23. \t>d 1 4Jxe3t 24.fxe3 Wf3t 25. \t>cl ~h l.
18... YlYh5 19.~f1li)e3t
Prettier is 19 ...i.d6 20.Wxd5 Wh It 21.\t>e2
4Jg3t with a forced mate.
20.gxe3 dxe3 21.YlYxh5 gxh5 22.he3 d4
23.,tf4 ghlt 24.~e2 ~e8t 25.~d2 ghel
26.,te3 dxe3t 27.fxe3 ~8xe3 28.~c3 g3e2
29. ~c4 ,tb4 0-1
•
12-15 12-16
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
abc d e f g h • a b c d e f g h
In my calculations at the time, I
couldn't work out how to react if 12-17
Black plays 23 •.. ~xh2. Can you?
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
abc d e f g h
I continued with 69.';t>g3.
Black then has two tempting moves:
69 .. l3xd4 and 69 ... g5. Which is best?
•
12-15 G. Flear - J. Aagaard 12-17 G. Flear - G. Andruet

Great Yarmouth 2007 Athens 1989
An analysis position from a game where 66.Wg3 !hd4! (1)
I was better, but unable to find a win at the The best option.
time, and even went on to lose. The game ended with: 66 ... g5? (after this
Mer. .. move, surviving becomes too complicated
23 ...~xh2 a task for Black) 67.f5 g4 68.f4 !!c7 69.ctJc6
.. .1 regret not having found the following ... (maybe 69.ctJxb5 is even better) 69 ...!'!a7 70.f6
24Jhg7!! (2) 24... cj;lxg7 25.ih5!! (2) !!a3 71.f7 !!xb3t 72.~g2 !!b2t 73 5i;)fl !!b1 t
White dominates in all lines! 74.~e2 !!b2t 75.~e3 g3 76.f8=~ g2 77.'lWg7
25 .. J~e5 1- 0.
Or 25 ...'lWxh4 26.!!xf7t ~g8 27.'lWg7#. 67.ie6
26J~xf7t cj;lg8 27.ixd8 ~xh5 28Jhb7 Now Black has to sacrifice his rook, but
White has an extra pawn and the better how?
pieces.
28 ...~e2 29.ih4 ~flt 30.cj;lc2 ~e2t A) 67 ... E!xf4! (1) 68.cj;lxf4 cj;lh4! (1)
31.Wc3 Or68... g5t , which also deserves a point (1)
And White wins. 69.~f5 ~h4 70 .~g6 g4 71.~xh6 g3=.
69.We5 h5
12-16 G. Flear - O. Korneev Black now draws in all lines.
Spanish League 2001 70.Wf4
(4 points) Or 70.f4 ~g3 71.i.f7 h4 n .i.xg6 h3 73 .i.e4
38... !!e4! (1) 39.~c6? b3 74.f5 h2 75.f6 b2 76.f7 h1=~ 77.i.xh1
I thought that I was winning when I played b1=~ 78.ffi='IW with equality.
this move! 70 ... g5t 71.Wf5 g4 n.Wf4 b3 73.ixb3
The endgame option 39.!!xd8 !!xe6 40 .~xf3 Wh3 74.if7 Wg2=
a5 favours Black.
The best chance would have been 39 .~xe4! Otherwise, there is a second way, but I don't
(1) 39 ...'lWxc8 40.'lWe7t ~g8 41.~xf3 ~c5 and trust this one:
with Black's king so open, White would have B) 67... E!d3t? 68.f.3 E!xf.3t
drawing chances. Avoiding the mate threatened by 69.i.g4.
39N.!!e3!! (2) 69.Wxf.3 g5
I anticipated 39 ... ~f6? 40 . ~c7t (40.!!g8t This time I think that White can win!
~xg8 41.~xf6 i.h5=) 40 ...'lWe7 41.'lWc3t ~f7 70.5!
42.'lWh8 with advantage to White. But not by 70.i.f7t? ~h4 7U5 g4t 72.~f4
40.~c1 g3 73.i.d5 b3.
Giving check with 40.!!c7t fails to 70... g4t 71 Wf4 g3 n.Wxg3 Wxg5 73.Wf.3!
40 ... ~ffi. h5
40... ib7t 41.~xe3 ixc8 42.~e5t Wf7 0-1 Or 73 ... b3 74.~e4 b2 75.i.a2 ~f6 76. i.b1
h5 77.~f4 and Black can do nothing.
74.We4 h4 75.We5 h3 76.f6 h2 77.id5
b3 78.f7 b2 79.f8=~ bl=~ 80.~f6t Wg4
81.if.3t
Mate is forced!
•
Chess .IS not an Easy Game
12-18 12-20
8
7
6
5
o o
a
12-19
•
12-1S G. Flear -A. Summerscale 12-20 G. Flear - Z Varga

French League 1999 Nice 1997
17.g5! (1) 17 ... tiJe4 49.f4!! (2) 49 ... e4
Following the continuation 17... ~xc3 If 49 .. .gc3t, White has a choice, but the
18.gxf6 ~xb2t 19 .~xb2 ~xf6 20.ttJc3, best answer is not the obvious one:
the piece is more of an asset than are three
unimpressive pawns. A) 50. ~g2! (1) 50 ... bl =V!f (or 50 ... !!b3 51 .!!xb3
IS.i.xe4 dxe4 19.tljxe4! (1) ~xb3 52.h7 b1='IW 53.h8='IW 'lWe4t 54 .~ gl
White eliminates an important central pawn. 'lWxf4 55.'lWc8 and I believe that if White plays
19.. JWxe4 correctly he should be able to draw) 51.!!xb 1
A key point is that 19 ...~xe l? is refuted by ~b 1 52.fxe5 !!c6 53.~f3 ~c2 54. ~f4 !!xh6
20.ttJf6t! (1). 55.~xf5 ~d3 56.e6=.
20.Wxe4 ihe4 21.ixb4 tljd5 22id2 !!h4
23.!!g3 b5 24.a3 !!xh3 B) Instead the natural 50.~h4? loses, but only
Black regains the pawn, but loses control of because of a well-hidden reason: 51...!!b3
the centre. 51.gc8t and now 5l...~d3! (1) 52.h7 bl=~
25.!!xh3h1t3 26.e4tljb6 27.tljc3a6 2S.i.e3 53.h8='IW 'lWh1 t 54 .~g5 'lWg2t 55 .~xf5 'lWe4t
!!eS 29.d5 tljd7 30.id4 ~e5 31.ixe5 !!xe5 (the reason for the choice of d3 for Black's king)
32.f4 !!eS 33.~d2 iea 34.~e3 h6 35.gxh6 56.~g5 'lWxf4t 57.~ h5 'lWf5t etc.
gxh6 36.d6 ib7 37.e5 ~g7 3S.!!gl t ~ffi
39. tlje4 ixe4 40. ~xe4 !!cS 41.£5 c3 42.bxc3 50.~h4 bl=W 51.!!xbl ~xbl 52.~g5 ~c2
!!xc3 43.e6 1-0 If52 ...ro 53. ~ g6!!ffi 54.~g7 !!a8 55. ~g6!
(1) (another important retreat, especially as
12-19 E. Bacrot - G. Flear 55.h7 ~c2 56.h8='IW is too slow, e.g. 56 ... !!xh8
French League 1998 57.Wxh8 ~d3 58 .~ g7 ~e2 59 .~ f6 ~xf2
(3 points) 60.Wxf5 e3) 55 ... ~c2 56 .~xf5 ~d3 57.h7!
15.e6! (1) !!b8 58. ~g6 ~e2 59.f5 ~xf2 60.f6 e3 61.~g7
Destabilizing Black's defences. e2 62.f7 e1 =~ 63.f8='lWt !!xf8 64. ~xf8=
15 ... fxe6 16.ixd5! (1) 16.. :~xd5 53.~xf5 ~d3 54.~g6 ~e2 55.f5 ~xfl
The problem with 16...exd5 is 17.axb5 axb5 56.£6 e3 57.f7 !!cS 5S.~g7 e2 59.ffi=Wt
18 .~xe7! (1) 18 ... gxal 19 .~c5t . !!xf8 60.~xffi el=YN 61.h7
17.tljxe6 ~f7 IS.tljxc7W£5 19.tljxaS !!xaS With a book draw.
White is already winning.
20.axb5 axb5 21.ic5 !!dS 22.Wbl Wxbl
23.!!exbl e5 24.!!a6 tljxd4 25.cxd4 exd4
26.!!xb5 d3 27.!!d6 !!xd6 28.ixd6 ~e6
29.if4 c3 30.~f1 id4 31.8 ihS 32.ie3
ie5 33.f4 ihS 34.g4 ~d6 35.gbS 1-0
•
How many points did you manage from the 78 available?

Apprentice 10 to 19
Beginner 9 or less
•
/
The Tactimania adventure is drawing to a close, but the show {of tactics} must go on! In future,
whatever your strength may be, if chess stays fun for you, then your tactical development won't
come to an abrupt halt at the end of this book.
I suggest, in order to make further progress, that you always treat chess with an inquisitive
attitude. Essentially, this means keeping your mind open to alternative ideas whilst regularly seeking
improvements in all phases of the game. If your instinct is thus switched on, then your ability to
find combinational solutions will be heightened, whether you are playing or only analysing.
Before getting to the last page, I hope that you are ready and willing for one final series of exercises.
These may seem to be relatively tough, but after your efforts in the preceding twelve chapters,
I hope that you are now well and truly pumped-up for this, the ultimate challenge!
I have again used an optional points-scoring system, so that you can, if desired, evaluate your
efforts and even compare them with others.
Here, each exercise will score either two or three points, and the maximum for the whole
chapter is 50.

Apprentice 10 to 19
Beginner 9 or less
•
Here is an example to get you in the mood for the Tactimania test!
G. Flear - S. Garza Marco

Spanish League 2006
B
In this example, I could ask the question:
7 How to continue with Black?
6 The reply could be as follows:
5 (2 points) This indicates the maximum
4 score for this particular exercise.
16.. .'I!~g6! (1 )
3
One point. The available points are often
2 associated with exclamation marks, but not
• a b c d e f g h
always .
This precise move shows that White's pieces
are badly tangled.
My opponent missed his chance and instead
played 16 ... ~e7? However, after 17.f3 gafB
(or 17... ttlxh6 IB.ttle6 ttlf7 19.ttlxc5 dxc5
20.d6t!) IB .fxg4 i.xg4 19.ttlge4 ttlxe4
20.ttlxe4 ~f4 21 .~xf4 gxf4 22.gg5 , it was
White who had won material, and after a
hard struggle, eventually the game.
B Otherwise, the tempting combination
16 ...ttlxf2? 17. ~xf2 i.g6t 18.~gl i.xh5
7
doesn't work, because of 19.i.xh5t with
6
check!
5 17.liJxh7
4
3 (diagram)
2
17...~xh7! (1)
• 1
a b c d e f g h
If you saw this far, and intended this move
(in your calculations) then you would be able
to award yourself a second point.
Black has excellent winning chances.
•
The Tactirnania Test
13-1 134
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0
What result and why? How should Black continue?
13-2 13-5
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0
a b c d e f g
What result? ?Ie you sure!?
h • a b c d e f g h
Playing Black, I accepted a draw offer
13-3 at this point, but could have played
for more. How?
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
a b c d e f g h
•
Find the most convincing
continuation for White.
13-1 G. Flear - A. Webster 13-4 E. Gausel- G. Flear

Leicester 1994 Gausdal 1987
White has a forced mate. 32... ~xe3! (1)
39•.ih6t! (1) 39 •.. \!ie8 4O.Y;tc8t \!if7 Otherwise, 32 ... lLlxd2 33.~xd2 doesn't yield
41.Y;t£lJ#! (1) very much.
Unfortunately, I didn't see the mate (in one!) 33.Y;td3 ~c2! (1) 34.~xe4 ftlxel 35.!!xel
at the end and took the perpetual check! dxe4 36.Y;t e3
If 36 ..B:xe4, Black must reply with
13-2 G. Flear - J. Levitt 36 ...~f5! (1).
London 1982 36 ••. ~d5
(2 points) Black has consolidated the pawn advantage.
It's a draw (1)! However I was lucky, as at this 37.h4 f5 38.Y;tc3 !!d8 39.!!dl \!ih740.Y;tb4
point I won on time! c5 41.Y;txa4 cxd4 42.Y;tb4 !!d7 43.!!c1 Y;td6
6U~h8t \!ig6 62J~g8t \!ih6 63JhglVz-V2 0-1
Stalemate. One point (1) if you saw that White
has a skewer to win the queen, but not the game! 13-5 s. Tiviakov - G. Flear
Isle of Man 2001
13-3 J. Richardson - G. Flear (2 points)
Lambeth 1985 Black would have had good winning chances
(3 points) with ...
30.!!f4! (1) 47.•.a4! (1) 48.~xe5
In the game, 30.\Wxc7? .B:xf5! (1) 31 ..B:xf5 If 48.bxa4, simply 48 ...lLlxc4 49.i.f3lLlxa3.
\WeI t enabled Black to make a draw, i.e. 48 .•• fx:e5t 49. \!ie3 axb3 50. \!id2 \!ie7! (1)
32.~g2 \Wc2t 33 ..B:f2 ~e4t 34.~h3 ~h7t Black uses the b-pawn as a decoy, in order to
35 .~g4 ~g6t 36. ~f3 ~d3t 37.~g4 ~g6t gain time to penetrate with his king.
38 .~h3 ~h7t 39.~g2 ~e4t 40.~fl ~b1 t Instead, the alternative idea 50 ... b5 51 .cxb5
41.~g2 ~e4t 42.~fl ~b1 t Y2- Yl. (or 51.~c3 bxc4) 5l...c4 52.b6 wouldn't be
30... \!ig8 31.\!ig2! (1) that dear.
A fine quiet move that limits any potential 51.\!ic3 \!if6 52\!ixb3 \!ig5 53.\!ic3 .ig4
counterplay. 54..id3.if.} 55.\!id2 \!ig4 56.\!ie3 \!ixg3
31...!!xf5 White is faced with an uphill struggle.
Neither 31 ... lLla6 32.i.e6t ~h8 33 ..B:h4, nor
31.. ..B:f7 32.i.h 7t, solve Black's problems.
32.!!xf5 Y;td2t 33.!!f2 Y;td3 34.M
The strongest, preparing a handy shelter.
White's bind is very strong, for example:
34... ~a6 35.Y;txb7 ~b4 36.Y;tf7t \!ih8
37.!!f5
And White wins.
•
The Tactimania Test
13-6 13-9
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
Can you find a method for Black How should Black continue?
to win a second pawn?
13-7 13-10
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0 0
Can you find the best defence? What is White's best move?
13-8
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
0
a b c d e f g h
•
/
----
The Tactimania Test
13-6 J. Miles - G. Flear 47...~xe5 48.~h6t <.t>e7 49.ge1 ge3

Leicester 1987 50.gdl
(2 points) Temporizing whilst avoiding any annoying
There are two distinct methods. It was checks.
sufficient to find either plan in order to earn 5O ...~e6 51.~h8 ~ 52.gd4
two points. And Black cannot profit from the virtual pin
along the a7-g1 diagonal.
A) The first idea is to break-up the kings ide
with .. .f4 (2): 13-8 J. Tompa- G. Flear
55 ... lOd3 56.~b6 f5 57.~d4 Copenhagen 1983
Or 57.~d8 f4 58.gx:f4 'tJxf4t 59.Wfl lLJg6 (2 points)
and ... lLJxh4. 36.lOg5t! (1) 36 ... hxgS 37.lOf.3! (1)
57...g6 58.~e3 f4 59.gxf4 lOxf4t 60.<.t>h2 My opponent didn't find this pretty win
lOe6 61.~f2 lOg7 62~e1lOf5 and settled for a draw with 37.Wh5t?! Wg8
38.We8t.
B) The second plan is to hunt down the 37...hf.3 38.~h5t <.t>g8 39.!!e8#
a-pawn (2 for the following):
55 ... lOc4 56.~b6 <.t>f5 13-9 A. Herzog - G. Flear
In the game (time was running out), I didn't Berlin 1983
find either way: 56 ...lLJd6?! 57.fi.c7lLJe4 58.fi.b8 (2 points)
g5?! 59.hxg5 fxg5 60 .fi.c7 lLJd2 61 .fi.b8 lLJf3 36...!!e1 t! (1)
62.fi.c7 h4 63.gx:h4lLJxh4t 64.WfL lI2-lI2. I blundered with 36.. .'f!f6?? and lost after
57.<.t>f.3 <.t>e6 58.~c7 37.!!cc8 !!e1t 38.Wg2 'f!e6 39.!!e8 !!e7
Or 58.We4 lLJxb6 59.axb6 Wd6, and the 40.!!xg8t Wh7 41 .!!h8t Wg7 42.!!cg8t <.t>f6
outside passed pawn ensures a win . 1- 0.
58... <.t>d7 59.~b8lOxa5 37.<.t>g2 ~e2! (1)
With a second pawn in the bag! Mate is forced.
13-7 G. Flear - H. Hamdouchi 13-10 J. Speelman - G. Flear

Montpellier 2000 Torquay 2002
46Jhe5! (1) Here, the solution is to play the quiet move...
I n the actual game, I lost the thread with 18.~xe3! (1)
46.!!d8t?, and was soon dispatched: 46 ... We7 My opponent was tempted by (the blunder!)
47.!!xe5t (after 47.!!d5 !!xh5 48.!!dxe5t We6! 18.fi.xh6?? and after 18 ... lLJe8! (1) White drops
the ending isn't tenable) 47 ...Wxe5 48.!!d7t a piece for insufficient compensation: 19.!!c3
Wxd7 49.Wxh3t We7 50.Wh4 We3t 5l.Wh2 exd2 20.fi.xd2 Wd5 21 .ge 1 !!c8 and I went on
'f!g3t 52.'f!xg3 fxg3t 53.Wxg3 a5 O-l. to win.
46...gg3t 47.<.t>fl! (1) 18... <.t>h8!
The right square. White is restricted to a small advantage.
The alternatives, 47.Wfl Wxe5 48.'f!h6t On the other hand, 18 ... lLJd5? 19.fi.xh6,
We7 49 .'f!c6 !!xg5 and 47.Wh2!? Wxe5 48.!!d7 18 ... Wxd3? 19.9xc7 and 18 ... lLJe8?! 19 .fi.e2
Wg7 49.!!a7 !!xg5 50.!!a8t We7 5l.!!a7t Wd6 are all inferior.
52.'f!d1 t !!d5 53.!!xa6t We5 54 .'f!a1 t !!d4
55.Wel t Wf5, both seem too difficult for
White.
•
The T actimania Test
13-11 13-13
• abc d e f g h
o
abc d e f g h
Black has to choose between How to win?
20 .. J~!ad8, 20 ...4Jd4 or 2o ...ig4.
How many of these are bad?
Which move is your preference?
13-12
• abc d e f g h
Black has an extra pawn. Can you find
a convincing winning method?
•
13-11 E. Bricard - G. Flear 13-12 N. Sanchez - G. Flear

French League 2007 St Affrique 2009
One of the three is bad, whereas the other two 53... g5! (1)
are perfectly playable. Black needs to get his majority going.
You needed to determine that... 54.~d5
20.. J:!ad8? It seems that 54 .i>f5 leads to an analogous
.. .is an error. variation: 54 ... \iJg7 55.\iJe6 (55 .\iJg4 \iJg6
A poor choice, that I made in the game. 56. \iJf3 f5 is too passive, e.g. 57.\iJe3 \iJ f6
Did you decide that the alternatives are 5B.\iJf3 \iJe5 59.\iJe3 g4 and Black wins easily)
reasonable?: 55 ... \iJg6 56.i>d5 f5 57.\iJc6 g4 5B.\iJxb6,
and as in the main line (except for the minor
A) 20 .. .i.g4! (1 point, if you decided that this difference that Black's king is on g6 rather
was a decent move) 21 .~de 1 i.xf3 22. ~xf3 than h6) .
(22.i.xf3? i.g5) 22 ... i.g5 23.Wd1 ttJd4= 54... 5 55.~c6 g4 56.~b6 f4! (1)
The most incisive.
B) 20 ...ttJd4! (1 point, if you calculated 57.a5 f3 58.gxf3 g3! (1)
that this was also acceptable) 21.~de 1 (after In order to promote with check.
21.ttJxd4 exd4 22.E:xeBt E:xeB, White cannot 59.a6 g2 6O.a7 gl='lWt 61.~b7 'lWb1 to-I
go for 23.i.xb7? because of 23 ... c6 24.i.a6
Wg4, with a winning attack on the light 13-13 G. Flear - A. Rotstein
squares) 21...ttJxf3t 22.i.xf3!? (if 22.lhf3? French League 1999
then 22. .. i.g5 23.Wc2 c6) 22 ... i.g5 and even (3 points)
if White can obtain a pawn for the exchange, 58.~h2! (1)
it's still comfortable for Black. It's Zugzwang, and Black has to make a
concession.
Going back to the game continuation .. . 58... E:d2
21.b5! If 5B ...\iJh 7, White wins a second pawn after
... and Black loses a pawn. 59.mB !hd7 60.l:hf5 \iJg6 61 .E:e5 .
21...lLld4 22.'~Jxd4 exd4 23Jhe8t E:xe8 59.~h3! (1) 59_.E:d1 60.~h4 ~f6
24.ixb7 Or 60 ... E:h 1t 61.\iJg5.
(1 point if you saw this far) 61.E:f8t ~g6 62.g4! (1)
24...'lWe6 The key move, avoiding mate and creating
No good is 24 ... Wf5 25 . ~e1 E:xe1 t 26.Wxe1, additional threats.
as then 26 ...Wxd3? 27.WeBt \iJh7 2B.i.e4t 62 .. Jhd7
compounds Black's problems. If 62 ... hxg4, then naturally 63.dB=W.
25.i.e4 ~h8 26.f4 g5 27.'lWrl 63.gxh5t ~h6 64.E:f6t ~h7 65.E:xf5 E:g7
I had nothing for the pawn and was unable 66.E:f4 E:e7 67. ~g5 ~g7 68.E:5 E:e6 69. ~f4
to put up much resistance. ~h6 70.E:e5 E:f6t 71.~g3 1-0
•
The Tactimania Test
13-14 13-15
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
How to draw with Black? What result and why?
•
13-14 J.P. Boudre - G. Flear 13-15 D. Leygue - G. Flear

Creon 1999 Creon 1999
Black has to react actively, as his only hope Black wins, (1) as the queenside majority is
consists in creating some counter-chances. able to go all the way without requiring the
43 ...h5! (1) king's assistance (1) .
The only move! 24 ... d5
In the game, I lost without putting up any White has a protected passed pawn, but this
resistance: 43 ... 'it>d5? 44.f4 gxf4 45 .gxf4 h5 is not enough to create any significant counter-
46.h41-O threats.
44.f4 25.g4
Not 44.h4?? because of 44 ... g4. If 25.'it>£2, Black can continue as in the
The other principal move is 44.'it>e4, when game, or throw in 25 ...h5!? first of all.
Black has to reply with 44 ... 'it>e6! (1) (on the other Otherwise, if 25.a4, then 25 ... a5 26.'it>£2 b5
hand 44... g4? is too slow: 45.hxg4 hxg4 46.f4 gxf3 and wins.
47.'it>x13 'it>e5 48.'it>e3 'it>f5 49.'it>d3 'it>g4 50.'it>c4 25 ... b5 26.~f2 c5 27.~e3 a5 28.M
\Yxg3 51.'it>xc5 'it>f4 52.'it>b5 'it>e5 53.\Yxa5 'it>d6 IfWhite attempts 28.'it>d3, Black nevertheless
54.'it>b6 'it>d7 55.'it>b7) and now there are two continues with his plan, for example
tries: 28 ... a4 29.'it>e3 (neither 29.h4 b4 30.cxb4
A) 45.13 c4 46.'it>d4 'it>f5 47.'it>xc4 h4 48.gxh4 cxb4 31.'it>c2 d4 32.g5 hxg5 33.hxg5 a3 , nor
gxh4 49.'it>b5 'it>f4 50.\YxaS 'it>g3 5l.f4 \Yxh3 29.a3 b4 30.cxb4 cxb4 31.axb4 a3 32.'it>c3 d4t
52.f5 'it>g3 53.f6 h3 54.0 h2 55.f8=~ h1=~ with 33.'it>b3 d3 help White's case very much either)
a probable draw. 29 ...a3 30.'it>d2 b4 31.cxb4 cxb4 32.'it>c2 d4
B) 45.f4 gxf4 46.'it>xf4 'it>d5 47.g4 (or 47.'it>e3 33.'it>b3 d3 34.h4 d2 35.'it>c2 b3t.
c4 48.'it>d2 'it>e4 49.'it>c3 W 50.g4 hxg4 51.hxg4 28... a4 29.g5 hxgS 30.hxg5 b4 31.~f4 b3
\Yxg4 52.\Yxc4 <;:t>f5 53.'it>b5 'it>e6 54.\Yxa5 'it>d7 32. ~e5 b2 33.f6t gxf6t 34.gxf6t ~e8 0-1
55.'it>b6 'it>c8=) 47 ...hxg4 48.hxg4 'it>d4 49.g5 c4
50.'it>13 'it>d3 51.g6 c3 52.g7 c2 53.g8=~ cl=~
54.~d8t 'it>c2 55.~xa5 ~d1t and Black should
be able to hold.
44... gxf4 45.gxf4 M! (I) 46. ~c4 ~e6
It's now possible to compete in the race, as
the h-pawn is sufficiently far advanced.
47.~xc5 ~f5 48.~b5 ~f4 49.~xa5 ~g3
50.~b4 ~xh3 51.a5 ~g2 52.a6 h3 53.a7 h2
54.a8=Y:Yt ~gl
With a drawn endgame.
•
The Tactimania Test
13-16 13-18
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
0 0
What result and why? Are you sure? What result and why?
13-17
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
0
abc d e f g h
How cowin?
•
13-16 G. Flear - M. Pein 13-17 J.M. Degraeve - G. Flear

Brussels 1986 Montpellier 1996
Drawn, but only just! 69.gb6! (1)
43JWdSt Wh7 44JWe4t Wg8 4S.~dSt Wh8 The game ended abruptly with 69.gc5? gh6
If 45 ...gf7, White can force a draw with '/2-'/2, as winning chances had slipped through
46.gd8t ~f8 47.gxf8t! (1) 47 ... <;ilxf8 White's hands, e.g. 70.gb5 gxa6t 71.'ittb4
48 .~d8t 'ittg7 49.~xe5t 'ittg6 50.1&g8t 'ittf5 'ittb8=.
51 .~xf7t=. 69... ghSt 70.Wb4! (1)
46.gxh6t! (1) The rook is taboo. It's Jozsef Pinter who
The only chance. demonstrated this winning technique.
46 ...ixh6 47.ixeSt ig7 48.ixg7t Wh7! The rest isn't that difficult...
(1 point if you saw this neat side-step!) 70... gh8 71.gc6
Now, White has to be careful, but it seems The threat of:SC8 obliges Black to go on the
that he can still save the game. defensive.
My opponent instead continued with 71...Wb8
48 .. .\!Ixg7?!, but that enabled an immediate Or 71 ... gh4t 72.gc4 gh6 73.gc8.
draw with 49 .~xg5t 'ittf7 50 . ~f5t \!Ie7 72 WbS Wa7 73.gc8
51.~e5t 'ittf7 52.~f5t \!Ie7 53.~e5t \!Id7 A key winning set-up (noting that White's
54.1&d5t 'itte7 lh- '/2. king could be elsewhere).
49.~e4t Wxg7
Now Black can try to 'dodge and weave' 13-18 A Vandystadt - G. Flear
with his king. St Affrique 1996
SO.~e7t gf7 Sl.~xgSt Wh7 S2.~hSt Wg8 (3 points)
S3.~gSt I!g7 S4.~dSt WfS SS.~d8t Wf7 White can achieve a draw with the following
S6.~d7t Wf6 S7.~d6t WgS S8.~eSt Wh6 combination (his best option, and 1 point, if
S9.~f6t Wh7 60.~f5t gg6 61.~f7t Wh6 you deduced this).
62~f4t Wg7 63.~c7t Wg8 64.~c8t Wh7 26.gxh 7! (1)
6S.~d7t Wh6 66.~h3t WgS 67.~g4t Wf6 Opening up a path towards Black's king.
68.~f4t We6 69.~e4t Wf7 70.~f5t gf6 26 ... Wxh7 27.~h4t Wg8 28.ghl YNd7! (1)
71.YNd7t Wg6 72.YNg4t Wh6 73.YNh3t Wg7 The best defence, and one that I failed to
74.~g4t Wh7 7S.YNd7t Wg8 76.~c8t find over the board.
Black is getting nowhere, so it's drawn The game continued with 28 ... gfl t ?!
after all! 29.gxfl ~e7 30.gh 1 1&g7 and White had an
extra pawn.
The rest is forced:
29.YNh8t Wf7 30.YNf6t We8 31.gh8 YNe7
32.gxfBt YNxfS 33.ia4t ~d7 34.YNe6t ~e7
3S.YNg8t ~f8 36.YNe6t YNe7=
•
The Tactimania Test
13-19 13-20
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
• 0
Find the continuation that demonstrates Find the winning combination.
how Black can draw.
13-19 G. Flear - D. Astasio Lopez 13-20 G. Flear - N. EHet

Spanish League 2008 Guingamp 2008
Black has to be precise. 57.g7t! (1)
Not however 57.ibl? hbl 581'lxbl, as
A) 51...~d3! (1) 52.4Jd4ie8! (1) Black would no longer be in any danger: 58 ... a5
The alternative 52 ...ia4? doesn't work 59. ~e6 a4 60.g7t ~g8 6U7 t ~xg7 62.:Bglt
because of 53.';t>d5! (1) with two threats, that ~h7 63.~e7 a3 64.fS=~ :Bxm 65 .~xfS h5
is supporting the e-pawn, and secondly to play 66.~f7 a2 67.:Bg7t with a pretty draw.
4:lc6 to block the diagonal, e.g. 53 ...ie8 54.e4 57... ~g8 58.ih7t! (1) 58... ~xh7
a4 55.e5 a3 56.e6 ia4 (or 56 ...a2 57.4:lb3) More resistant than 58 ... ~ f7 59.g8=~t
57.4:lc6!? (57.d7 a2 58.d8=~ al=~ 59.4:lf5 is :Bxg8 60.i.xg8t ~ ffi 61.ixe6 bl=~ 62.:Bg8#.
also plausible) 57 .. .ixc6t 58 .~xc6 a2 59.d7 59.£7 (1)
al=~ 60.d8=~t ~e2 61.~d6 and the queen Having anticipated this continuation, my
ending seems to be winning. opponent resigned. However he has a resource
53.~e7 ia4 that would have kept the game alive for a
Now, White can no longer use his king to while.
defend the e-pawn. 59 ... :Bb5t 60.~d6 :Bb6t 61.~e7
54.4Jb3 ~e3 55.4Jxa5 ~d4 My preference.
Further progress isn't possible. Otherwise, 61.~c7 :Bb7t 62.~xb7 b 1=Wt
63.:Bxbl ~xg7 64.:Bn ~f8 65. ~xa7 e5
B) My opponent played ... 66 .~ b6 ixf7 67.:Bel ~e7 68.:Bxe5t ~f6
51...a4? 69.:Bc5 would be tough to win.
... when his flag dropped. The chosen move 61...gb7t 62.~f6 !!xf7t
turns out to be losing, for example: The point of Black's defence, but White can
52.4Jd4 ie8 still win with precise play.
If 52 ... a3, then 53.4:lxb5 a2 54.d7 al=W 63.~xf7 e5t 64.~f8 ig8
55.d8=~ ~xb5 56.~d5t ~ b6 57 .~d4t and If 64 .. .h5, White plays 65.:Bbl all the same.
wins. 65.gbl a5 66.lhb2 a4 67.ge2 a3 68.gxe5
53.~e7 a2 69.ge1 h5
There are no squares for the bishop on the Mter 69 ...ic4 70.h5 ig8 71.:Bgl it's
a4-e8 diagonal. Zugzwang.
53.. .c,f{c5 54.e4!? 70.gn
Bringing up the reserves! I like this move which is better than 70.:Bgl?!
54... a3 ic4 71.~e7 ~g8 72 .~ f6 ~ h7, when the
Or 54 ... ~xd4 55 .~xe8 etc. game would go on.
Now, there is more than one way. 70 .•.ic471.gf7
55. ilk2 Mate is forced.
Or 55.4:lb3t ~c4 56.4:lcl ib5 57.e5 ~c3
58.e6 ~b2 59.4:ld3t ixd3 (59 ...Wbl 60.4:lb4)
60.d7 a2 61.d8=~ al=~ 62.~d4t ~a2 63.~xd3
with an endgame that must be winning.
55.. .ia4 56.4Jxa3 ~d4 57.4Jbl ~xe4
Otherwise White threatens 4:ld2.
58.4Jc3t
And wins.
•
The Tactimania Test
The last example in the book demonstrates how one can find some delightful variations by going
through one's own games. Whether this is done alone, with an opponent, some friends, and (why
not!) perhaps with at least the partial assistance of an analysis engine. In any case, keep analysing
in order to improve your game!
How many points did you manage in the Tactimania test?
The maximum score was 50 points:

Apprentice 10 to 19
Beginner 9 or less
•
Index of the Flears' Opponents
For the exercises, the number refers to the page on which the solution appears.
A Borchert 14
Aagaard 64,236 Bordi 186
Abramovic 22 Borne 154
Adorjan 22 Boudre 62,66,98,170,234,252
Adrian 210 Boyne 132
Ady 74, 174 Bricard 18,86,250
Aguettaz 232 Britton 94, 100, 158
Anderton 220 Bryson 22
Andruet 22, 76, 134, 236 BuckJey 25,36
Anic 138 Burgess 14
Ansell 78 Burnett 226
Antunes 230 Buscara 58,96, 152
Argandona Riveiro 128,208
C
Arkell 38, 72, 140, 150
Calvin 46
Astasio Lopez 256
Campos Moreno 156
Attiel 72
Capitanio 162
Audiffren 136
Carron 230
Ayral 54
Casa 80
Azmaiparashv iii 78
Cernousek 142
B Chabanon 168
Bacrot 238 Chandler 198,204
Baker 82 Chaplin 90
Barnes 184 Chatalbashev 116
Baron Rodriguez 170 Chevaldonnet 192
Barsov 168 Christiansen 164
Basman 76 Chuchelov 214
Basora Pascual 25,96 Coleman 106
Bauer 121 Collas 118, 148
Becker 62 Collin 42
Bell 108 Condie 72
Bellon Lopez 192 Conquest 162, 168, 192
Benito lmaz 54 Cooper 216
Bernard 18, 166 Coriat 166
Berthelot 154 Coste 126
Beudaerr 202 Cullip 32
Bissieres 48 Curto 56
Blarny 196
18 D
Blum
168
D'Amore 154
Boleski
Danner 214
Bologan 118
•
Degembe 204 Geveke 202

Degraeve 254 Giffard 116, 182
Del Rio de Angeles 84 Gilbert 136
De Sousa 88 Gislason 134
Devals 144 Godena 146
Devereaux 42 Goer ens 70
Dittmar 78 Goldgewicht 36
Dobrev 48 Gonzalez Menendez 142
Domenech 134 Goodger 92
Domont 54 Gouret 24
Donelly 126 Grassi 32
Douven 76 Greer 66
Drasko 123 Griffin 126
Duche 132 Grignon 216
Dumitrache 172 Grimberg 74
Duncan 204 Grischuk 196
Dziuba 110 Grollemund 92
Grooten 30
E Gurevich 36
Edouard 88
Gutierrez Castillo 112
Eliet 256 Gutman 218
Emms 46, 130
Guyot 116
Epishin 199
Erdogdu 182 H
Erneste 24 Hadamard 70
Haik 166
F
Hamdouchi 92,148,186,234,247
Fedorowicz 216
Happel 208
Fierro Baquero 30
Harakis 134
Foisor 196,208
Harikrishna 126
Forintos 14 Harley 192
Formanek 182 Hebden 74, 188
Fortea 108 Hector 82
Franca 64
Hennereau 170
Fruteau 46 Hennigan 121, 194
Ftacnik 82
Herzog 247
G Heymann 78
Gachon 110 Hick! 218
Gallagher 50,164,202 Hirsch 67
Gallo 172 Hjartarson 212
Garcia Palermo 101 Hjorth 44
Garza Marco 230,242 Hmadi 118
Gausel 244 Hobuss 162
Gelis 16, 118, 154 Hoffman 138
Genov 11 Hofmann 42
Gervais 32 Holland 184
•
Hort 27 Large 70, 220

Hrivnak 130 Larsen 178
Huerga Leache 34,216 Laurier 196
Hutchinson 104 Lawton 104
Leski 142
I
Levitt 138, 244
IIIescas Cordoba 223
Leygue 22,230,252
Iruzubieta 146 Libiszewski 58,232
lten 214
Lomineishvili 226
Ivanov 34 Lydl 156
J M
Jackson 120, 152, 216 Madl 60
Jacobs 56,78 Malakhatko 88
Johansson 134
Mallet 14
Jost 112
Manouck 22
Jurkovic 14
Marciano 25
K Marcille 159
Kaiser 212 Marholev 108
Kaposztas 80 Martidis 220
Karjakin 190 Martin Alvarez 188
Kasimdzhanov 16 Mas 180
Kazhgaleyev 108, 226 Maupin 108
Kieser 30 McDonald 34
Kievelitz 182 McSheehy 80
Kindermann 212 Merle 86
Kinsman 164 Mestel 214
Kirszenberg 60 Meynard 144
Koch 84 Miles 247
Kojder 123 Milesi 204
Korchnoi 174 Milliet 152
Korneev 236 Milosevic 116
Kosten 84 Miralles 54
Kouatly 80, 124 Mirzoev 34,190
Kourkanakis 18 Monroy 206
Kourtesis 34 Morris 94
Krahenbuhl 114 Morrison 114
Krnic 194 Moskalenko 144
Kuende Gorostidi 172 Motwani 76
Kuijf 104 Mourer 72
Kunas 38 Mourgues 106, 180
Kwiatkowski 110 Muir 146, 190
Miischenich 72
L
Laclau 110, 136 N
Lalic 90 Nabavi 20
Langeweg 166 Nataf 150
•
Navarrete 86 Preis mann 104

Neiman 20 Prie 32,54,96,214
Nemer 132 Purgimon 136
Nezar 112
R
Nielsen 84
Rabineau 80
NiHua 94
Nogueiras
Radnoti 128
72
Norgaard 44
Radziewicz 56
Norwood 70
Rausis 208
Nunn 120
Ravi 50
Ravikumar 76
0 Rawlinson 24
O'Hara 194 Rayya 108
Orlov 208 Rechlis 44
p Rendle 50
Rey Ardid 92
Palliser 90 Ricci 186
Pandavos 18 Richardson 244
Parker 150 Riff 84
Parmentier 146
Ringoir 234
Pasquier 152
Robertson 76
Payre 58 Rooney 50
Pearce 148 Roos 28
Pech 106
Rotstein 250
Pein 42,82,106,254
Rouchouse 52
Peist 106
Ruiz Gomez 64
Pert 128,194,206
Petrossian 88, 188 S
Petursson 20 Sadler 128
Pfeifet 62 Samara 30
Pham 140 Sanchez 250
Piankov 186 Sandu 218
Piat 112 Santo-Roman 30, 92
Pieterse 180 SanzAlonso 212
Pigusov 150 Sauvadet 188
Pilotelle 70 Schlander 94,130,132
Pinter 82 Schmitt 20
Pira 114, 172 Sell os 74, 121, 180
Plachetka 20 Seppeur 28
Pia cines 52 Sharif 162
Plaskett 100,110,120, 190 Sharp 202
Podzielny 40 Shdev 148
Polaczek 44 Shirov 232
Polugaevsky 98 Short 164
Porte 104 Shulz 62
Prathemesh 170 Shvidler 44
Prats Rodriguez 174 Siapak 14
•
Smagin 112 Vall in 190

Smart 130 Vanderbeeken 16
Smetankin 42 Vandystadt 254
Solodovniehenko 206,208 Van Heirzeele 34
Sonntag 188 Van Mil 32
Soyer 30 VanWely 90,202
Speelman 247 Varga 238
Spraggett 98 Vaugeois 126
Stefanova 67 Velimirovie 70, 74
Stork 110 Vernay 48
Stubbe 38 Viret 106
Sugden 27 Volkov 166
Sulava 96, 168
W
Summerseale 238
Surtees 20 Walden 36, 144
Walker 38
Svetushkin 174
Swi nd ells 16 Wall 54,96
Sydor 90 Ward 116, 142
Szitas 200 \Vatson 226
Webster 244
T Weill 192
Tabut 114 Wells 204,212
Taddei 206 Wessendorf 168
Tan 48 Westphal 210
Tang born 36 Wheeler 46
Tanguy 18 Williams 58
Taylor 118 Willmoth 162
Teeuwen 48 Wolfgang 186
Terrieux 11 y
Teyehene 74
Thynne 16 Yeo 56
Tiviakov 244 Z
Toechioni 126 Zeidler 177
Todoreevie 158 Zsehiedrieh 176
Tompa 247
Touzane 104
Tozer 82,134
Tregubov 16, 116,208
U
Upton 32
V
Vaganian 40
Vaisser 62
Vajda 218
Vallet 86

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Introduction ....................... ............. ................ .......... .... .. .......... 5

Chapter 1 Mate is in the Air! .... .............. ..... ........ ............... . 10

Courageous, they won't

With their unique L-shaped

By moving diagonally they

Don't underestimate their

These amazons have learned

Always at the helm, however

1-1 G. Flear - R. Borchert 1-4 M. Burgess - G. Flear

34.. Jhh2! 35.ixf3

1-3Z.Slapak- G. Flear 43.h4t c;!;>g4 44.lilf6#

39... gg3t 40.hxg3 Wlxg3t 41.gg2 Wlxg2#

1-7 R. Kasimdzhanov - C. Flear 1-10 G. Flear - M. Vanderbeeken

33 ...~dl t 341hdl ihdl# 51.e4

27.!'!fBt Wh7 1-11 C. Flear - P. Tregubov

1-12 G. Flear - J. Thynne

32.!'!xc8 ~xc8 33.!'!d8 ~c7 34.!'!xe8! !'!xe8

1-13 C. Bernard - G. Flear 1-17 E. Pandavos - G. Flear

2S... f'l! 16...i.f4! 17.~xg4

34... ghl t! 35.i.xhl ~h3t! 36.~xh3 ~xhl t

1-16 G. Flear - G. Blum

1-19 J. Plachetka - C. Flear 1-22 G. Flear - E. Neiman

28.)3xe6! fxe6 29.~Ut ~h8 30.~g6 lDe4 44.g3!

1-25 A. Adorjan - G. Flear 1-28 B. Abramovic - G. FIear

36.. J~dl! 32...'lWg3! 33.dxe4 gdl 34.Ag8t Wh8!

1-26 D. Leygue - G. Flear 44.e5!

41...'lWh2! 1-30 T. Manouck - G. FIear

1-31 C. Flear - I. Erneste 1-33 G. Flear -A. Rawlinson

33...'?Nxe2 34J'he2 !:id4! 35.E!xd4 i.xd4 1-35 G. Buckley- G. Flear

Pins, forks, skewers, dou ble checks

• A check: An immediate attack on the opposing king.

• A pin: A piece or a pawn is immobilized because it shields an attack against a

• A discovered attack: A piece (or a pawn) makes a move thus enabling an

• X-ray attack: An indirect attack from a distant piece.

We'll start with a pin.

8 Black played ...

Black won material with ...

36lilxf5 Wtxf5 37.tilg6t!

Na~ LjDU kna~ ~hat LjDU are laakinq far.

21 ... c5! 2-4 M. Santo-Roman - G. Flear

2-7 E. Prie - C. Flear 2-10 S. Cullip - G. Flear

2-13 G. Kourtesis - G. Flear 2-17 M. Huerga Leache - G. Flear

31. . .!hes! 30... li:lxd4! 31.gxd4 ds

2-19 L Goldgewicht - G. Flear 2-21 G. Flear - P. Walden

34.. .l'he6! 34... gh3t!

2-24 A. Stubbe - G. Flear 2-26 G. Flear - S. Walker

22 •.. ltld3 20.E!xh7t!

2-28 R. Vaganian - G. Flear in handling the coordination of one's forces in

2-35 G. Flear - G. Hjorth 32... ~a3 33.~d4 ~xd4t 34.~xd4 ~g7

2-36 G. Flear - J. Norgaard 2-39 G. Flear - G. Reehlis

21.~xf7! ~xf7 22.gd6 ~d8 23.gel ~g8 23.lLlxg6t!

2-40 J. Emms - G. Flear Material is only equal, but White's pawn

2-44 G. Flear - J. Teeuwen ltlxd6 29.i3xd6 ltlc3 30.i.c2 Wle7 31.i3d3

21. .. ltled5! 2-48 G. Flear - M. Bissieres

2-49 G. Flear - P. Rooney 36".YNg5 37.id2 YNf6 38.gxa6 gd8 39.ig5!

24.e4! 2-51 L Ravi - G. Flear

• Deviation or deHection: When a defensive piece is obliged to move

Here are some examples:

3-1 G. Flear - E. Prie 3-4 V. Ayral- G. Flear