Tactics in the Italian Solitaire Style

Hi kids!  It's Mrs Jessica E Prescott, the BoundingOwl, with some Solitaire Chess for you.  You need a pencil and paper.  I will wait...my cat has the crazies... Do you like cats or dogs or both?  Tally your score at the bottom when you are done.  5 questions only!

The Italian is a tricky and easy opening for white.  Start with Tactics in the Italian before continuing here.  Concepts you will need to know today (click if you're not sure):

When you're ready, choose the best move!

 

 

 

1.  Do you remember why we play c3?  Choose the best answer.  A.)  To play d4  B.)  To play 0-0  C.) To play d3

Let's see which one is correct!  Don't scroll down until you have written down A, B, or C...

 

 

 

 

2.  Now what?  Choose white's best move.  A.)  cxd4  B.)  e5  C.)  0-0

Think carefully.  It's kind of tricky.  The best move may not be the most obvious.  You can be kind of mean!

 

 

 

 

3.  Choose white's best move!   A.)  Kxf2   B.)  Qe2  C.)  Bxf7+

Did you consider all your moves?  Intermezzo again!

 

 

 

 

 

4.  Follow through with your forcing moves.  A.)  Kxf2  B.)  Ng5+  C.) 0-0

Don't scroll down until you've written your final answer!

 

 

5.  Checkmate in 4, forced!!  Solve this puzzle.  Don't forget about en passant...

 

 

 

 

Results:

1. A.) To play d4 of course!  This is called the Moeller Attack.  5 points for you!  B.) 0-0 2 points.  Not bad.  But that's not really why we played c3.  C.)  d3 0 points.  This does not attack the center and makes c3 look silly.

2.  A.) cxd4 2 points.  Why?  Because we are going to be mean today.  You can take it later.  You are going for bigger and better things.  Don't always do the first thing that comes to mind!  "Wait, you might find a better move!" --Emmanuel Lasker.  B.) e5!  5 points.  This intermezzo or zwischenzug first takes more control of the center and kicks the knight away.  Nice work if you found this move!  C.) 0-0 1 point.  Getting your king safe is often a fantastic move.  But here we are going on the attack!

3.  A.) Kxf2 2 points.  Yes, you win the knight, but you are lined up with black's bishop on c5.  This gives black some counterplay.  B.)  Qe2.  -2 points!  Ouch.  You saved your queen, what gives?  Well, you need to attack!  C.) Bxf7+ 5 points!  All right!  Now black can't castle if he takes.  And you have destroyed his kingside.  White has enough pieces to back up this sacrifice.

4.  A.) Kxf2 1 point.  If it wasn't right before,...it's still not right!  When you sac, you have to follow with an attack.  B.) Ng5+ 5 points.  Very good!  Checks are always forcing moves.  C.)  0-0 1 point.  An interesting move because your rook is lining up with the king, so one point for creativity.  But I think you would like to keep your queen.

5.  10 points if you got this whole sequence correct.  1. Qb3+!  After black plays d5 you have to remember you can play en passant, 2. exd6+ and the queen is checking again.  After ...Be6 to block, 3. Qxe6+ because the black bishop was hanging.  And now after black plays Kf8 you have 4. Qf7# guarded by the knight on g5.

30 points total.  How many did you get?


Tip of the week:  Attack, attack, attack!!!