Icannos/chess_studies huggingface dataset:
[Event "Caro-Kann: Caro-Kann Exchange Variation 3"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/VJb8YgoJ/CDnzQYOx"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Hairy_poppins"]
[ECO "B13"]
[Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Panov Attack, Modern Defense, Mieses Line"]
[UTCDate "2020.12.10"]
[UTCTime "04:16:57"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c4 { c4, the Panov Attack. Likely the most challenging reply to the Caro-Kann due to the aggressive approach. } 4... Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 ( 5... g6 { g6 is a valid option if you don’t want to go into the endgame line. This variation leads to exciting play in which black gambits a pawn for rapid development. } 6. Qb3 Bg7 7. cxd5 O-O 8. Be2 Nbd7 ) 6. Nf3 Bg4 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8. Qb3 Bxf3 9. gxf3 e6 10. Qxb7 Nxd4 11. Bb5+ Nxb5 12. Qc6+ Ke7 13. Qxb5 Qd7 14. Nxd5+ Qxd5 15. Qxd5 exd5 { The very common endgame line! This position is equal for both sides but is a solid choice for black. The doubled pawns on the c file will be an eventual weakness and Ke6/Bb4 for black will lead to a endgame that will be very hard to lose. Let’s play out the endgame (Ivanchuk vs Najer): } 16. Be3 Ke6 17. O-O-O Bb4 18. Rd3 Rhc8+ 19. Kb1 Bc5 20. Rc1 Bxe3 21. fxe3 g5 22. Ra3 Rxc1+ 23. Kxc1 a5 24. Kd1 Rb8 25. b3 Rb5 26. Ra4 h5 27. Ke1 f5 28. h3 Kd6 29. Ke2 Rc5 30. Kd2 Rb5 31. Ke2 Rc5 32. Kd2 Rb5 { Ivanchuk, V. - Najer, E., 1/2-1/2, TCh-TUR Super League 2017, https://lichess.org/BIJJfPm7 } *
[Event "Caro-Kann: Caro-Kann Exchange Variation 3 cont. (6. Bg5)"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/VJb8YgoJ/SUq4c727"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Hairy_poppins"]
[ECO "B13"]
[Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Panov Attack, Modern Defense"]
[UTCDate "2020.12.10"]
[UTCTime "04:37:03"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bg5 { Bg5 leads to a more eventful game where both sides are scrambling for a win. } 6... dxc4 { dxc4, the more aggressive line. } 7. Bxc4 h6 ( 7... Qxd4 $2 { Qdxd4 at this stage is a mistake because of the potential danger, yet black is not actually losing. } 8. Qxd4 Nxd4 ) 8. Bh4 Qxd4 9. Qxd4 Nxd4 10. O-O-O e5 ( 10... Nc6 $4 { The rather calm move Nc6 is actually a blunder. } 11. Nb5 { After Nb5, the rook is going to fall. } ) 11. f4 Bg4 12. Nf3 ( 12. Rd2 $2 { Rd2 is a mistake because it can lead to a devastating attack. } 12... Rc8 13. Bb3 $4 Ne4 { After Ne4, white is almost completely lost. } ) 12... Bxf3 13. gxf3 Rc8 14. fxe5 Rxc4 15. exf6 Ne6 { This line isn’t intuitive at all but leads to weird positions where both sides can make mistakes. } *
[Event "Caro-Kann: Caro-Kann Exchange Variation 3 cont. (7. d5)"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/VJb8YgoJ/f3tBcIFq"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Hairy_poppins"]
[ECO "B13"]
[Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Panov Attack, Modern Defense"]
[UTCDate "2020.12.10"]
[UTCTime "05:01:10"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bg5 dxc4 7. d5 { d5 takes allows a lot of central control for white, but with correct play, black can rally on. } 7... Ne5 8. Bxc4 Nxc4 9. Qa4+ Bd7 10. Qxc4 h6 { h6 in these tricky Bg5 exchange variations is always going to be a viable option. } 11. Bh4 g5 12. Bg3 Bg7 { This is a solid position for black and is relatively easy to play because you are up the bishop-pair. } *
[Event "Caro-Kann: Caro-Kann Advance Variation 1"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/VJb8YgoJ/ZNCxM8af"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Hairy_poppins"]
[ECO "B12"]
[Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Tal Variation"]
[UTCDate "2020.12.11"]
[UTCTime "04:02:27"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 { e5, the Advance Variation: the most common Caro-Kann variation! } 3... Bf5 { Bf5 before e6 is one benefit of the Caro-Kann, as the French Defense leads to the restriction of black’s light-squared bishop. } 4. h4 $1 { h4! The threat is obviously 4...e6 5. g4 which picks up the bishop. } 4... h5 { h5 controls the f4 square along with allowing a retreat square for the bishop. } 5. Bd3 Bxd3 6. Qxd3 Qa5+ ( 6... e6 { e6 is the most popular move in this position, but it allows Bg5 and black’s dark-squared bishop would be somewhat of annoyance due to it being extremely hard to kick out. Yet, this position is playable after Qb3 and going for this line is totally okay. } 7. Bg5 { After you interpose with Be7, don’t trade off the bishops because of the eventual g4/g5 which would lead to a solid space advantage for white. } ) 7. Bd2 { Looking in the future, with queens off the board, white’s pawns are distanced from the rest of the pieces (h4, e5, d4) and black can later attack them. } 7... Qa6 8. Qxa6 Nxa6 9. Nc3 e6 { e6 is the move to play here. Even though the evaluation bar represents an equal position, I find this game easier for black because of white’s pushed pawns. In the future, moves like c5 and Rc8 will exploit white’s weakness and undermine their position. } *
[Event "Caro-Kann: Caro-Kann Advance Variation 1 cont. (7. Nd2)"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/VJb8YgoJ/Nt8vB3aW"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Hairy_poppins"]
[ECO "B12"]
[Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Tal Variation"]
[UTCDate "2020.12.11"]
[UTCTime "04:21:38"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. h4 h5 5. Bd3 Bxd3 6. Qxd3 Qa5+ 7. Nd2 { Nd2 here is the most common move because of the reasons we discussed before concerning white’s pawns. The downfall for Nd2 is that it blocks in white’s dark-squared bishop. } 7... e6 8. Nf3 { Now, blacks pieces can be developed freely. Qa6, Nh6, and Ne7 are all candidate moves for black in this position. Later plans include attempting to trade off the queens and putting the knight on d7. } 8... Nh6 { Here is a game that continues from this position (Jones vs Xiong): } 9. O-O Nf5 { This knight on f5 is going to be a very important piece throughout the game because of its attacks on the h4 and d4 pawns. } 10. Nb3 Qa6 11. Qd1 Nd7 12. Bf4 Be7 13. g3 Rc8 14. c3 c5 { Practically all of black’s moves have been leading to this important c5 break. } 15. a4 Qb6 16. Ra2 a6 17. dxc5 Bxc5 18. Kg2 Nf8 19. a5 Qb5 20. Nxc5 Rxc5 21. Re1 Ng6 22. Be3 Rc8 23. Bb6 Nge7 24. Nd4 Qd7 25. Ra3 Rc4 26. Qf3 Qc8 27. Rd1 g6 28. b4 O-O 29. Bc5 Re8 30. Bxe7 Nxe7 31. Rb3 Nc6 32. Qe3 Qc7 33. Re1 Rc8 34. Qf4 Nxd4 35. cxd4 Rc3 36. Re3 Rc1 37. Rf3 Rf8 38. g4 hxg4 39. Qxg4 Qc4 40. Rfd3 Ra1 41. Qf4 Qc2 42. Qe3 Kg7 43. h5 Rh8 44. Qf4 Qe2 45. Qf6+ Kg8 46. Qd8+ Kg7 47. Qf6+ Kg8 48. Qd8+ { Jones, G. - Xiong, Jeffery, 1/2-1/2, St Louis Summer A, 2019, https://lichess.org/peUnUhjc } *
[Event "How to CRUSH the Caro Kann: 2 knights overview"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/RHQLcFIb/j8mI2GPa"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/EricRosen"]
[ECO "B10"]
[Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Two Knights Attack"]
[UTCDate "2021.09.27"]
[UTCTime "04:45:25"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. e4 c6 2. Nf3 d5 3. Nc3 { The beginning of the 2 Knights Attack } 3... dxe4 ( 3... d4 { See Chapter 5 } ) ( 3... Bg4 { See Chapter 6 } ) ( 3... Nf6 { See Chapter 7 } ) 4. Nxe4 Nf6 { "Tartakower" Variation (Levy's Recommendation) -- See chapters 3 and 4 } ( 4... Bf5 $2 { The most common mistake of Caro Kann Players -- See Chapter 2 } ) *
[Event "How to CRUSH the Caro Kann: The Most Common Trap: Punish 4...Bf5?"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/RHQLcFIb/wOSZ9xrp"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/EricRosen"]
[ECO "B10"]
[Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Two Knights Attack"]
[UTCDate "2021.09.27"]
[UTCTime "17:54:14"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. e4 c6 2. Nf3 ( 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 { [%csl Gf5][%cal Gc8f5] } ) 2... d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 { [%csl Ge4] } 4... Bf5 $2 { [%csl Gf5][%cal Gc8f5] } ( 4... Bg4 5. h3 { [%cal Gg4f3,Gd1f3] } 5... Bh5 6. Ng3 { [%cal Gg3h5] } 6... Bg6 7. h4 { transposes to mainline } 7... h6 8. Ne5 Bh7 9. Qh5 g6 10. Bc4 ) 5. Ng3 { [%csl Gf5] } 5... Bg6 6. h4 h6 ( 6... Nf6 ) 7. Ne5 { [%csl Gg6] } 7... Bh7 8. Qh5 g6 ( 8... Qd5 { White to move } 9. Bc4 ) ( 8... Nf6 9. Qxf7# ) 9. Bc4 { oh no my queen! [%csl Rf7][%cal Gg6h5] } 9... e6 { [%csl Rf7][%cal Gh5f3,Gf3f7] } ( 9... gxh5 10. Bxf7# ) 10. Qe2 ( 10. Qf3 Nf6 ) 10... Bg7 ( 10... Nf6 11. Nxf7 Kxf7 12. Qxe6+ Kg7 13. Qf7# { [%csl Gg7][%cal Gf7g7] } ) ( 10... Qc7 11. d4 { [%csl Gc4,Ge5,Gg3,Rh7,Gc7][%cal Gc1f4,Gf4c7,Ge1c1] } ) 11. Nxf7 Kxf7 12. Qxe6+ Kf8 13. Qf7# *
[Event "How to CRUSH the Caro Kann: Tartakower: Smothered Mate Trap"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/RHQLcFIb/yGjiY6DG"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/EricRosen"]
[ECO "B10"]
[Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Two Knights Attack"]
[UTCDate "2021.09.27"]
[UTCTime "17:55:43"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. e4 c6 2. Nf3 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nf6 5. Qe2 ( 5. Nxf6+ exf6 { [%csl Gg8,Gf7,Gf6,Gg7,Gh7][%cal Gf8d6,Ge8g8] } ) 5... Nbd7 { [%csl Rd7] } ( 5... Bf5 6. Nxf6+ gxf6 7. d3 { [%csl Gg3,Gf2,Gh2,Rf5,Gb3][%cal Gg2g3,Gf1g2,Ge1g1,Gh8g8,Gg8g2,Gf3h4,Gb2b3,Gc1b2,Gb2f6] } ) ( 5... Nxe4 6. Qxe4 { See chapter 4 } ) 6. Nd6# *
[Event "How to CRUSH the Caro Kann: Tartakower: OH NO MY QUEEN"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/RHQLcFIb/9wECjqWz"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/EricRosen"]
[ECO "B10"]
[Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Two Knights Attack"]
[UTCDate "2021.09.27"]
[UTCTime "17:58:40"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. e4 c6 2. Nf3 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nf6 { [%csl Gf6][%cal Gg8f6] } 5. Qe2 Nxe4 6. Qxe4 Nd7 { [%csl Gf6,Re4][%cal Gd7f6] } 7. Bc4 Nf6 8. Ne5 { OH NO MY QUEEN } 8... e6 ( 8... Nxe4 9. Bxf7# ) 9. Qe2 Bd6 10. d4 O-O { [%cal Ge1g1] } 11. Bg5 { [%csl Gc1][%cal Ge1c1] } 11... h6 12. h4 Be7 ( 12... hxg5 13. hxg5 { [%cal Gh1h8,Gf6d5,Gf6d7,Gf6h7,Ge2h5] } 13... Nh7 { [%csl Gh7][%cal Gf6d7,Gf6d5] } ( 13... Nd5 14. Qh5 { [%csl Gh8][%cal Gh5h8] } ) 14. Qh5 Re8 { [%csl Gh7][%cal Gh5h7] } 15. Qxf7+ Kh8 16. Ng6# { [%cal Gh1h8,Gg6h8] } ) 13. O-O-O { [%csl Gg4,Gf6,Ga5][%cal Gg2g4,Gg5f6,Gg4g5,Gd1g1,Gg1g8,Gd8a5] } 13... Qa5 14. g4 { [%csl Gf6,Gg5][%cal Gg5f6,Gg4g5] } *
[Event "How to CRUSH the Caro Kann: EASY PLANS vs 3...d4"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/RHQLcFIb/nHhr0wbx"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/EricRosen"]
[ECO "B10"]
[Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Two Knights Attack"]
[UTCDate "2021.09.27"]
[UTCTime "17:59:31"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. e4 c6 2. Nf3 d5 3. Nc3 d4 4. Ne2 c5 5. Ng3 { [%csl Gc4][%cal Gf1c4,Gd2d3,Ge1g1] } 5... Nc6 6. Bc4 e6 ( 6... e5 7. d3 Nf6 $2 { [%cal Gf3g5] } 8. Ng5 Be6 9. Nxe6 fxe6 10. Bxe6 { [%cal Ge6c8,Ge6g8] } ) 7. d3 Nf6 8. O-O a6 { [%csl Gb5][%cal Gb7b5] } 9. a4 Be7 10. Bd2 ( 10. Ng5 ) 10... O-O 11. Ng5 h6 12. Nh3 e5 13. f4 Bxh3 14. gxh3 { [%csl Gg8,Gh1,Gf5,Gc4][%cal Gg2g8,Gf2f8,Gg1h1,Gf1g1,Gd1e2,Ge2g2,Gf4f5,Gd2h6,Ga2g8] } *
[Event "How to CRUSH the Caro Kann: CLEVER TRAPPY LINE vs 3...Bg4"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/RHQLcFIb/DKbsy8n5"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/EricRosen"]
[ECO "B11"]
[Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Two Knights Attack, Mindeno Variation"]
[UTCDate "2021.09.27"]
[UTCTime "17:58:00"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. e4 c6 2. Nf3 d5 3. Nc3 Bg4 4. Be2 $5 { Check out Jonathan Schrantz's thorough video on this variation: https://youtu.be/3gocSY9dEKk } 4... e6 ( 4... d4 $2 5. Nxd4 Qxd4 ( 5... Bxe2 6. Ndxe2 ) 6. Bxg4 ) 5. O-O Nf6 ( 5... d4 $2 6. Nxd4 ) 6. h3 ( 6. e5 Nfd7 7. d4 ) 6... Bh5 ( 6... Bxf3 7. Bxf3 ) 7. Ne5 Bxe2 8. Qxe2 d4 ( 8... Bd6 9. d4 ) 9. Nb1 Bd6 10. Nxf7 Kxf7 11. e5 Bxe5 12. Qxe5 { [%csl Gf7,Gd3,Gg5][%cal Gd2d3,Gc1g5,Gb1d2,Gf1e1,Ge1e6] } *
[Event "How to CRUSH the Caro Kann: AGGRESSIVE GAMBITS vs 3...Nf6"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/RHQLcFIb/bttNGPpB"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/EricRosen"]
[ECO "B10"]
[Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Two Knights Attack"]
[UTCDate "2021.09.27"]
[UTCTime "19:46:00"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. e4 c6 2. Nf3 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 Ne4 ( 4... Nfd7 5. e6 $1 fxe6 6. d4 { [%csl Re6,Re7,Rd5,Rf8,Rd7,Rc8,Rb8] } 6... Nf6 7. Bd3 $16 g6 8. h4 Bg7 9. h5 Nxh5 10. g4 Nf6 11. Bh6 { [%csl Rg7,Rh6] } 11... Bxh6 12. Rxh6 Nxg4 13. Rh4 { [%csl Gg4,Gh8][%cal Gh4g4,Gd3g6,Gh4h8,Gf3e5] } ) 5. Nxe4 $5 dxe4 6. Ng5 { [%csl Re5] } 6... Qd4 7. d3 exd3 8. Bxd3 Qxe5+ 9. Be3 { A fun gambit-style position, with lots of practical compensation for white! } 9... Qxb2 10. O-O *
[Event "Puzzle Themes: Advanced pawn"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/viiWlKjv/sw8VyTe1"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/somethingpretentious"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "6k1/6b1/B5p1/1pr3p1/2p1P3/6P1/P4P1P/1R4K1 b - - 2 32"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2020.12.11"]
[UTCTime "15:48:28"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ An advanced pawn pushing forward will threaten to promote, leading to the opponent giving up material. [%cal Gc4c3,Gc3c2,Gc2c1] } 32... c3 33. Bxb5 c2 { [%cal Gc2b1] } 34. Rc1 Bb2 { [%cal Gb2c1] } 35. Rxc2 Rxc2 *
[Event "Puzzle Themes: Attack on f2 or f7"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/viiWlKjv/r1ZAcrjZ"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/somethingpretentious"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "rnbqk1nr/1ppp1ppp/p7/2b1p3/2B1P3/5Q2/PPPP1PPP/RNB1K1NR w KQkq - 0 4"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2020.12.11"]
[UTCTime "15:53:26"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Pieces converge on the tender f2 square which is often under-defended and key to the safety of the king - as seen in the classic mating pattern. [%cal Gf3f7,Gc4f7] } 4. Qxf7# *
[Event "Puzzle Themes: Attraction"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/viiWlKjv/3arGcr8n"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/somethingpretentious"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "4k2r/rb1qbppp/3p4/1p1P4/8/1Q3N2/PP3PPP/R3R1K1 w k - 2 19"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2020.12.11"]
[UTCTime "17:28:55"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ An attraction draws a piece, usually the king, to a square leaving it vulnerable to another tactical idea. } 19. Rxe7+ Qxe7 { If Qxe7 as a response, we have Re1, pinning the queen to the king and winning material! } ( 19... Kxe7 { If Kxe7, we have a follow-up fork, with Qe3+ winning the undefended a7 rook. } 20. Qe3+ { [%cal Ge3e7,Ge3a7] } 20... Kf8 { [%cal Ge3a7] } 21. Qxa7 ) 20. Re1 { It's important that the knight defends the rook or the queen can take it with mate! [%cal Ge1e7,Bf3e1] } *
[Event "Puzzle Themes: Back rank mate"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/viiWlKjv/VVzwe5vV"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/somethingpretentious"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "6k1/pp3ppp/5b2/8/5nQP/1P6/Pq4PK/8 w - - 0 31"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2020.12.11"]
[UTCTime "18:46:24"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ One of the most common mating patterns, when the castled king has no back rank defenders it can be vulnerable to rooks and queens, which attack all squares on the rank at once, leaving no escape! } 31. Qc8+ { Black can delay the end by putting pieces in the way, but cannot prevent the mate. [%cal Gc8h8] } 31... Bd8 32. Qxd8# *
[Event "Puzzle Themes: Capture the defender"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/viiWlKjv/2s7CaC2h"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/somethingpretentious"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "r4rk1/pp2bpp1/2n2n1p/1B1p1q2/3Q3B/2N5/PPP2PPP/R3R1K1 w - - 2 14"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2020.12.11"]
[UTCTime "20:27:36"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ A piece is attacked and defended an equal number of times (the bishop on e7), by removing the defending knight on c6, the bishop will be undefended and free to capture on the next turn. [%cal Ge1e7,Rc6e7,Gb5c6] } 14. Bxc6 bxc6 15. Rxe7 *
[Event "Puzzle Themes: Castling"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/viiWlKjv/edXPYM70"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/somethingpretentious"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "7r/3k1ppp/5b2/p1p5/4P3/2N2P2/Pr3P1P/R3K2R w KQ - 0 17"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2020.12.11"]
[UTCTime "16:07:27"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Castling provides a tactical opportunity, moving two pieces at once can sometimes have impressive effects. In this tactic, castling queen-side comes with a tempo check, and at the same time the king attacks the undefended rook on b2. } 17. O-O-O+ { [%cal Gd1d7,Gc1b2] } *
[Event "Puzzle Themes: Discovered attack"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/viiWlKjv/DYcrqEPt"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/somethingpretentious"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "4rrk1/pp1b1ppp/4p2n/3p4/3P4/Pq1B1R2/4N1P1/3R1QK1 w - - 0 21"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2020.12.11"]
[UTCTime "16:13:42"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ An undefended (or higher value) piece lies in the path of a long range piece, but with the attack blocked by another piece. If the blocking piece can be removed with tempo, then the undefended piece can be captured on the following turn. [%cal Gf3b3] } 21. Bxh7+ { [%csl Rb3][%cal Gf3b3,Gh7g8] } 21... Kxh7 { [%csl Rb3][%cal Gf3b3] } 22. Rxb3 *
[Event "Puzzle Themes: Double check"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/viiWlKjv/EXAQJVNm"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/somethingpretentious"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "rn1k1b1r/ppp2pp1/4b1np/4P3/2p5/2N2N2/PP1BPPPP/2KR1B1R w - - 4 9"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2020.12.11"]
[UTCTime "16:18:25"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Using a discovered attack where the uncovered piece and the moving piece attack the king, it's possible to give a double check. Since some of the usual methods of avoiding check - capturing the attacking piece, or blocking the check - are not possible because there are two attacks, this forces the king to move, often to a bad square! } 9. Bg5+ { Here, the bishop and rook both check the king, forcing it to a square where it happens to be checkmate! This is not necessary for a double check, but a nice side effect here. [%cal Gg5d8,Gd1d8] } 9... Ke8 ( 9... Kc8 10. Rd8# { Also mating. } ) 10. Rd8# *
[Event "Puzzle Themes: En passant"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/viiWlKjv/G7ILIqhG"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/somethingpretentious"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "r1bq1rk1/ppppn1pp/2n5/1Bb1P3/8/1Q3N2/PP1B1PPP/RN2R1K1 b - - 4 12"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2020.12.11"]
[UTCTime "16:22:46"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ En passant (explained at lichess.org/learn#/15) is a chess rule allowing a pawn to capture an opponent pawn if it uses its initial 2-square move to bypass capture. This can occasionally lead to tactical opportunities. } 12... d5 { Here, black has played d5, bypassing our e5 pawn, but we can still capture it! Since the d pawn is blocking the queen's attack on the black king, this will be restored. At the same time, the capturing pawn will attack black's knight on e7. Black has to respond to the check, allowing us to capture the knight on the next move. [%csl Rd5][%cal Gb3g8,Rd7d5] } 13. exd6+ { [%cal Gb3g8,Gd6e7] } 13... Kh8 14. dxe7 *
[Event "Puzzle Themes: Exposed king"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/viiWlKjv/K882yZgm"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/somethingpretentious"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "r1b5/pp3R2/3p2k1/4p1r1/4P3/8/P5PP/5RK1 w - - 2 25"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2020.12.11"]
[UTCTime "16:31:12"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ The king doesn't have many defenders nearby, this can often lead to a mating attack! } 25. R1f6+ Kh5 26. Rh7+ Kg4 27. h3+ Kg3 28. Rf3# *
[Event "Puzzle Themes: Fork"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/viiWlKjv/AUQW7PKS"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/somethingpretentious"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "r1b3k1/1p3p2/p2p2p1/6P1/2P1P1n1/1P3QP1/PB1qB3/1R3K2 b - - 8 28"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2020.12.11"]
[UTCTime "16:33:59"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ A fork involves one piece attacking two other pieces at once. This is often with knights, but can also be any other piece. Here the knight can fork the king and queen. It is important that neither of the forked pieces can simply capture the attacking piece! This is why forks with knights are common as their attacking direction is unique. } 28... Nh2+ { [%cal Gh2f1,Gh2f3] } 29. Kg1 { The king must move, allowing the queen to be captured next move. } 29... Nxf3+ *
[Event "Puzzle Themes: Hanging piece"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/viiWlKjv/y65GVqXf"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/somethingpretentious"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "6k1/7p/1p4p1/2b5/8/5NP1/P3RP1P/3r1BK1 w - - 1 34"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2020.12.11"]
[UTCTime "16:43:37"]
[Variant "Standard"]

34. Re7 { White just moved their rook, but it's not defended on e7 and it's attacked by the bishop! } 34... Bxe7 { We can take it with our bishop for free.
Insufficiently defended pieces can also be hanging, if they are attacked more times than they are defended. } *
[Event "Puzzle Themes: Kingside attack"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/viiWlKjv/f62Rz8Qb"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/somethingpretentious"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "r3k2r/pp3p2/2p1b3/2N4q/3Qp1p1/1P4P1/P3N2P/1R3RK1 b kq - 3 21"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2020.12.11"]
[UTCTime "16:49:53"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Here the queen and rook converge on the castled king, on the king-side of the board (closest to the king's initial position at the start of the game). In this case, it's a mating attack too. [%cal Gh5h2] } 21... Qxh2# *
[Event "Puzzle Themes: Pin"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/viiWlKjv/WCTmpBFb"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/somethingpretentious"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "r1b1r3/pp3k1p/5pp1/3q4/4p3/5PB1/P1B1Q1PP/5RK1 w - - 0 32"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2020.12.11"]
[UTCTime "16:54:56"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Black just captured on d5 with their queen, but they've walked into a trap! [%cal Gd8d5] } 32. Bb3 { Bb3 and the queen is pinned along the diagonal to the king. If the queen moved, then we would be able to capture the king and win the game, but this is not allowed! This is known as an absolute pin (against the king). Pins don't have to be absolute, when the piece is not the king, but it is important that the higher value piece is behind the lower value piece . [%csl Rd5][%cal Gb3f7] } 32... Be6 { Black defends their queen but it's not helping, we can capture the queen now. } 33. Bxd5 *
[Event "Puzzle Themes: Promotion"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/viiWlKjv/BNuCO8JO"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/somethingpretentious"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "8/6kp/1qPN2p1/3Pb3/2P1P2P/8/6P1/5R1K w - - 4 35"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2021.06.20"]
[UTCTime "11:46:36"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ When a pawn reaches the opposite side of the board, it promotes (often to a queen but potentially to a rook, bishop or knight too). In the endgame this is a very common idea. Here, white has equal material but would be struggling without a tactical idea. [%cal Gc6c7] } 35. c7 $1 { Advancing the pawn and creating the threat of promotion! The promotion square is also defended by the knight, so a move such as Qc5 to cover the promotion square doesn't help. [%csl Yc8][%cal Gc7c8,Yd6c8] } 35... Qxd6 { [%cal Gc7c8] } ( 35... Qxc7 $2 { Qxc7 would be a mistake, due to the unfortunate placement of the black king, white could fork the royal pieces. [%csl Re8][%cal Gd6e8,Re8c7,Re8g7] } 36. Ne8+ ) 36. c8=Q { Since black cannot capture the pawn, the best available is to take the knight instead, but now white is in a much better position with a new queen and more dangerous pawns threatening promotion. } *
[Event "Puzzle Themes: Sacrifice"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/viiWlKjv/ezFdOVtv"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/somethingpretentious"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "4r2k/1b4p1/2q3pp/p1N1P1r1/2Qp4/1P3P2/P5PP/R3R1K1 w - - 1 28"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2020.12.11"]
[UTCTime "17:05:16"]
[Variant "Standard"]

28. Kf2 { White sees that there is a dangerous attack coming and tries to run, but it's too little too late. Black can give up material in a sacrifice, leading to a strong attack which gains an advantage, in this case, forced mate! } 28... Rxg2+ { The rook sacrifice undermines the defence of the f pawn. } 29. Kxg2 Qxf3+ { [%cal Gb7g2] } 30. Kg1 Qg2# { The queen bishop battery follows up with unstoppable mate. } *
[Event "Puzzle Themes: Skewer"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/viiWlKjv/iF38PGid"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/somethingpretentious"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "8/5p2/pp2bk2/2p4p/2P1K2P/1P3PP1/P1N5/8 b - - 1 28"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2020.12.11"]
[UTCTime "17:10:52"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ White just played Nc2, leaving it undefended on the same diagonal as the king. Here, like the reverse of a pin, we can attack along the diagonal. } 28... Bf5+ { Here, the higher value piece is in front (the king) and must move out of the way, allowing the undefended knight to be captured. [%cal Gf5c2] } 29. Kd5 { [%cal Gf5c2] } 29... Bxc2 *
[Event "Puzzle Themes: Trapped piece"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/viiWlKjv/ZJQkwFP6"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/somethingpretentious"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "1r4k1/p1n2r1p/1b2N1p1/2p1PP2/2p3Pq/5Q2/P1P4P/2B2R1K w - - 2 31"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2020.12.11"]
[UTCTime "17:15:44"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ When a piece is short of squares, there can often be a tactic to trap it! Here the black queen is very boxed in on the side of the board, if we can attack it, it doesn't have many undefended squares to escape to. In fact, the only one is e7, if we can attack the queen and block or defend e7 we can win it [%csl Rg3,Rf2,Re1,Rh5,Rh6,Rh3,Rg4,Rh2,Rg5,Rf6,Rd8] } 31. Bg5 { Bg5 and the queen is lost! [%cal Gg5h4] } *
[Event "Puzzle Themes: Clearance"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/viiWlKjv/ZZsl7iCi"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/somethingpretentious"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "rn3rk1/ppb2ppp/2p1p3/8/3PN2q/5N2/PPPBBPPn/R2Q1RK1 b - - 9 16"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2020.12.11"]
[UTCTime "17:39:12"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Here, we could give mate if we could get the queen to h2, but our own knight is in the way. Fortunately (for us), we can clear the way with tempo! } 16... Nxf3+ 17. Bxf3 Qh2# *
[Event "Puzzle Themes: Defensive move"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/viiWlKjv/mbI3OkEB"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/somethingpretentious"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "R7/5p2/1K6/5b2/8/8/2p3kp/2R5 b - - 0 58"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2020.12.11"]
[UTCTime "17:57:38"]
[Variant "Standard"]

58... h1=Q 59. Rg8+ { We just promoted our pawn to a queen on h1 and white has checked with their rook. If we step to the f-file, we will lose the queen for free. If we step to the h-file, white can check again with Rh8+, and again win the queen for free. Fortunately we have another resource. } 59... Bg6 { Blocking the check and defending a winning position. } ( 59... Kf2 60. Rxh1 ) ( 59... Kh3 60. Rh8+ Kg2 61. Rhxh1 ) ( 59... Kh2 60. Rh8+ Bh3 61. Rxh3+ Kxh3 62. Rxh1+ ) *
[Event "Puzzle Themes: Deflection"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/viiWlKjv/S7ozMyZz"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/somethingpretentious"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "rn2kb1r/p3pppp/1q3n2/8/p1B1pPQ1/8/1PPP3P/RNB1K1R1 w Qkq - 3 15"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2020.12.11"]
[UTCTime "18:02:51"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Here, white has a dangerous attack with Qc8+, almost mating and forcing the black queen to block. } 15. Qc8+ Qd8 { Now only the king defends the queen, and we can force it to move away from that defence with a nice sacrifice. } 16. Bxf7+ { The king is forced to capture the bishop as the only move, leaving the queen undefended for capture on the next turn. } 16... Kxf7 17. Qxd8 *
[Event "Puzzle Themes: Interference"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/viiWlKjv/nAojbDwV"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/somethingpretentious"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "3q3k/4R3/p3p3/1p1p1ppp/2rP4/Q3P1P1/PP3PPK/8 b - - 12 41"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2020.12.11"]
[UTCTime "18:08:38"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Interference puts something in the way of a defender, blocking the defence. Here, the white queen defends the rook, which is also attacked by the black queen. We can block that defence with one of our pawns here! [%cal Rd8e7,Ga3e7] } 41... b4 { Now the queen is blocked from defending the rook (and also attacked in this example), and can't move anywhere that still defends the rook. [%csl Re7][%cal Ga3b4,Rd8e7] } 42. Qxa6 Qxe7 *
[Event "Puzzle Themes: Intermezzo"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/viiWlKjv/ltMgw4Vj"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/somethingpretentious"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "r3r1k1/5p2/p6p/1p4p1/2p5/2P2QP1/PP2RP1q/R4K2 b - - 0 27"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2020.12.11"]
[UTCTime "20:39:45"]
[Variant "Standard"]

27... Rxe2 { Black just took our rook on e2, but instead of simply recapturing with Kxe2 or Qxe2, we can first take the other rook on a8 with check! After black responds to our attack on their king we can capture the other rook. [%cal Gf3a8,Gf1e2,Gf3e2] } 28. Qxa8+ Kg7 29. Kxe2 *
[Event "Puzzle Themes: Overloading"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/viiWlKjv/0e8aApup"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/somethingpretentious"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "r3k2r/ppq1bppp/2n1p1b1/1B1n4/3P4/4BNNP/PP3PP1/R2Q1RK1 b kq - 4 14"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2020.12.11"]
[UTCTime "18:19:52"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Overloaded pieces are performing too many responsibilities! If a piece defends two others, and we capture one of them, then the defender must recapture... but this leaves the other piece undefended. Here, the f2 pawn defends both bishop and knight. [%cal Gf2g3,Gf2e3] } 14... Nxe3 15. fxe3 { It defended the bishop well, but now the knight is undefended. [%cal Rf2g3,Gf2e3] } 15... Qxg3 *
[Event "Puzzle Themes: Queenside attack"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/viiWlKjv/94d9UPIQ"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/somethingpretentious"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "1r3r2/3p1p1k/4b1pP/p7/1pq5/3B2R1/PPPQ1P2/1K2R3 b - - 15 36"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2020.12.11"]
[UTCTime "20:53:18"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Here the queen and bishop converge on the castled king, on the queen-side of the board (the opposite side to the king's initial position at the start of the game). In this case, it's a mating attack too. } 36... Qxa2+ 37. Kc1 Qa1# *
[Event "Puzzle Themes: Quiet move"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/viiWlKjv/qrORK5ks"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/somethingpretentious"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "2k5/3b3p/3p3B/3Pn3/2P1P1P1/p3N2P/4B3/7K b - - 0 37"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2020.12.11"]
[UTCTime "18:25:36"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ A quiet move is subtle, not a check or capture. Here, we want to promote our a pawn, but white's knight is able to hunt it down. Before we push the pawn we must make a preparatory move, stopping the knight from getting involved. [%cal Ga3a1,Ge3c2,Gc2a1] } 37... Ba4 { Now our bishop controls the knight, allowing us to push our pawn to promotion. [%cal Ga4c2,Re3c2,Ga3a1] } *
[Event "Puzzle Themes: Smothered mate"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/viiWlKjv/3eGRYiJW"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/somethingpretentious"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "5r1k/pp4pp/1qnp4/2b3N1/2b5/2N1r3/PP4PP/R4RK1 w - - 0 21"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2020.12.11"]
[UTCTime "18:43:16"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ A smothered mate is always given by a knight, as the only piece to attack over other pieces. It occurs when the opponent king is fully contained by its own pieces, and the knight delivers the fatal attack. } 21. Rxf8+ { Almost mate here but black must block the rook's check with the bishop. } 21... Bg8 { And now the knight can deliver the check to win the game. Note that the bishop cannot capture the knight since it's pinned by the rook. } 22. Nf7# *
[Event "Puzzle Themes: Underpromotion"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/viiWlKjv/dmvXRuFv"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/somethingpretentious"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "6k1/2p1Pp1p/pp4p1/1q6/3r1P2/P1nP3B/6QP/7K w - - 1 33"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2020.12.11"]
[UTCTime "18:29:46"]
[Variant "Standard"]

33. Qa8+ Kg7 34. Qf8+ Kf6 { Sometimes, we want to promote a pawn not to a queen, but to a lower value piece. Usually this is a knight, because it has an attack unlike any other piece. This can be very useful to keep the attack going with tempo! } 35. e8=N+ { Promotion to a knight is almost mate here, and black must give up their queen. [%cal Gf4e5,Gf4g5,Gh3f5,Gf8g7,Gf8e7,Gf5e6] } ( 35. e8=Q { If we promote to a queen instead, we allow black to escape! } 35... Qb1+ 36. Kg2 Qc2+ { And there is a forced draw. } ) 35... Qxe8 36. Qxe8 *
[Event "Puzzle Themes: X-ray"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/viiWlKjv/OHg7wA4C"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/somethingpretentious"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "2r2rk1/p3p2p/bpR2pp1/3P4/1Q2Pq2/5B2/P4PPP/2R3K1 b - - 7 20"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2020.12.11"]
[UTCTime "18:33:29"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ An x-ray is where two pieces attack another piece or square, and one of the pieces is attacking through another piece. Here, the black queen attacks the c1 rook normally, but the rook on c8 also attacks the c1 rook through the c6 rook! [%csl Rc6][%cal Gf4c1,Gc8c1] } 20... Qxc1+ { We give up our queen, backed up by our rook, for an eventual back rank checkmate. } 21. Rxc1 Rxc1+ { White can only prolong the inevitable by sacrificing their pieces. [%cal Gc1g1] } 22. Bd1 Rxd1+ 23. Qe1 Rxe1# *
[Event "Puzzle Themes: Zugzwang"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/viiWlKjv/YQaPrb0K"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/somethingpretentious"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "3B4/1kb4p/p1p3p1/P1K5/6P1/7P/8/8 w - - 2 46"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2020.12.11"]
[UTCTime "18:38:31"]
[Variant "Standard"]

46. Bxc7 Kxc7 { Zugzwang is a position where the side to move would rather just pass, but this is not allowed in chess. Any move they make will make their position worse. Here we can force zugzwang! } 47. g5 { Black has a few options here but all of them are bad, let's look. } 47... h6 ( 47... Kc8 48. Kxc6 ) ( 47... Kd7 48. Kb6 { Here, the a pawn will fall and we can promote! } 48... Kd6 49. Kxa6 Kc7 50. h4 c5 51. Kb5 { Or black gives up their pawn and we can race to the king-side and win the other pawns. } 51... Kb7 52. Kxc5 Ka6 53. Kd6 Kxa5 54. Ke6 ) 48. gxh6 { [%cal Gh6h8] } *
[Event "Sicilian Defenseüî•‚öîÔ∏è: The Sicilian Defense üõ°Ô∏è"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/4wIIAqhD/EbqGNvhT"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/heyucatchthis"]
[ECO "B20"]
[Opening "Sicilian Defense"]
[UTCDate "2021.05.05"]
[UTCTime "19:11:08"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Hello Everyone! This study is about the Sicilian Defense, the best response to the move 1. e4. This opening is very sharp and tactical, so get ready for some super crazy positions. You have to be very careful!
Anyways, the Sicilian is good for intermediate to advanced players and has many lines to memorize. I will be going over the main lines, and the ideas. Let's start! } 1. e4 { White starts with e4. You reply with c5, controling the critical square d4. [%csl Re4,Bc5][%cal Re2e4] } 1... c5 { This is the start of the Sicilian Defense. There are several variations. The first place where the opening branches out. White can decide to play the Open or Closed Sicilian. From the Open Sicilian, you can play 3 main variations, the Najdorf, Dragon, or Classical Sicilian. These are only the basics! [%csl Gc5,Bd4][%cal Gc7c5,Bc5d4] } *
[Event "Sicilian Defenseüî•‚öîÔ∏è: Sicilian Defense: Open"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/4wIIAqhD/P19i58y1"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/heyucatchthis"]
[ECO "B54"]
[Opening "Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations, Main Line"]
[UTCDate "2021.05.05"]
[UTCTime "19:28:40"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Play what you have learned in the Introduction. } 1. e4 { [%csl Re4][%cal Re2e4] } 1... c5 { Yes! [%csl Gc5,Bd4][%cal Gc7c5,Bc5d4] } 2. Nf3 { Here, white is trying to push for d4.
Play 2. ...d6. [%csl Rf3,Yd4][%cal Rg1f3,Yf3d4,Yd2d4] } 2... d6 { [%csl Gd6,Bc5,Be7][%cal Gd7d6] } 3. d4 { Capture! [%csl Ye4,Rd4][%cal Rd2d4,Yf3d4] } 3... cxd4 { [%csl Gd4][%cal Gc5d4] } 4. Nxd4 { How do we put pressure on the e4 pawn? [%csl Rd4,Ye4][%cal Rf3d4] } 4... Nf6 { [%csl Gf6,Be4][%cal Gg8f6,Bf6e4] } 5. Nc3 { This is the starting position of the Open Sicilian, the most popular choice. Here, you have 3 main choices: The Dragon (highlighted in blue), the Najdorf (highlighted in green), and the Classical (highlighted in yellow/orange). Let's learn the Najdorf first. [%csl Rc3,Bg6,Bg7,Ga6,Gb5,Yc6,Yd4][%cal Rb1c3,Bg7g6,Bf8g7,Ga7a6,Ga6b5,Yb8c6,Yc6d4] } *
[Event "Sicilian Defenseüî•‚öîÔ∏è: Sicilian Najdorfüí°"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/4wIIAqhD/xryhrBbn"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/heyucatchthis"]
[ECO "B90"]
[FEN "rnbqkb1r/pp2pppp/3p1n2/8/3NP3/2N5/PPP2PPP/R1BQKB1R b KQkq - 0 1"]
[Opening "Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, English Attack"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2021.05.05"]
[UTCTime "19:35:12"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ In the Najdorf, black plays 5. ...a6. Play it! } 1... a6 { This move prevents any white pieces from coming to the well-protected b5 square. None of that is possible now :) [%csl Ga6,Gb5,Bf1,Bd4,Bc3][%cal Ga7a6,Ga6b5] } 2. Be3 { This is what white plays most of the time. Now, you will push for e5, grabbing space, and kicking out the knight. [%cal Be7e5] } 2... e5 { [%csl Ge5,Rd4][%cal Ge7e5] } 3. Nb3 { Good! Now you will continue with Be6, Be7, and the knight on b8 goes to d7, so you can put your rook on c8.
One advantage you have is the open c file, you should put your pieces there, and also push for b5, gaining more space and attacking on the queenside. This gives black a solid fighting chance: Najdorf games are usually very sharp and tactical! Bobby Fischer used it. Plans are highlighted. [%cal Gc8e6,Gf8e7,Bb8d7,Ge8g8,Yb7b5] } *
[Event "Sicilian Defenseüî•‚öîÔ∏è: Sicilian Dragonüêâ"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/4wIIAqhD/S1AXJ7G9"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/heyucatchthis"]
[ECO "B76"]
[FEN "rnbqkb1r/pp2pppp/3p1n2/8/3NP3/2N5/PPP2PPP/R1BQKB1R b KQkq - 0 1"]
[Opening "Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Yugoslav Attack"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2021.05.05"]
[UTCTime "19:43:37"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ The Dragon variation is the sharpest of these lines. Get ready for a big fight!
The dragon variation starts after 5. ...g6. [%cal Bg7g6] } 1... g6 { You want to make a kingside fianchetto with a strong bishop. [%csl Gg6][%cal Gg7g6] } 2. Be3 { This is the most common line. Other lines are f4 and g3. Continue with your plan :) [%csl Re3,Yf4,Yg3][%cal Rc1e3,Yf2f4,Yg2g3,Bf8g7] } 2... Bg7 { [%csl Gg7,Ga1][%cal Gf8g7,Gg7a1] } 3. f3 { This move is going to prevent you from playing Ng4.
Now, castle your king out of the center. [%csl Rf3][%cal Rf2f3,Be8g8] } 3... O-O { Yes! Most dragon games reach this position. Please don't push your central pawns, they stay behind. Fight with your mighty bishop on g7 instead! Don't block it with pawns.
Now, you will finish development with Nc6, Bd7, Rc1, and Qc2. Attack on the queenside with a6-b5. White has plans to Qd2, castles long, and h4-h5. Soon there will be fireworks over the board. Plans for both sides are highlighted. [%csl Gg8,Yc1,Yg4,Yh4,Yc4,Ba6,Bb5,Bc6,Bd7,Bc8,Bb4,Ba5,Ga1][%cal Ge8g8,Yd1d2,Ye1c1,Yg2g4,Yh2h4,Yf1c4,Ba7a6,Bb7b5,Bb8c6,Bc8d7,Ba8c8,Bb5b4,Ba6a5,Gh8a1] } *
[Event "Sicilian Defenseüî•‚öîÔ∏è: Classical Sicilian"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/4wIIAqhD/F1PIDiGW"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/heyucatchthis"]
[ECO "B63"]
[Opening "Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Traditional Variation"]
[UTCDate "2021.05.05"]
[UTCTime "19:52:48"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Repeat what you have learned. } 1. e4 { [%csl Re4][%cal Re2e4] } 1... c5 { [%csl Gc5][%cal Gc7c5] } 2. Nf3 { [%csl Rf3][%cal Rg1f3] } 2... d6 { [%csl Gd6][%cal Gd7d6] } 3. d4 { [%csl Rd4][%cal Rd2d4] } 3... cxd4 { [%csl Gd4][%cal Gc5d4] } 4. Nxd4 { [%csl Rd4][%cal Rf3d4] } 4... Nf6 { [%csl Gf6][%cal Gg8f6] } 5. Nc3 { You got to this position! In the Classical Sicilian, you start with 5. ...Nc6. [%csl Rc3,Bc6][%cal Rb1c3,Bb8c6] } 5... Nc6 { [%csl Gc6][%cal Gb8c6] } 6. Bg5 { This is the most common move. Here, the best move is e6. [%csl Rg5][%cal Rc1g5] } 6... e6 { [%csl Ge6,Bf6][%cal Ge7e6,Bd8f6] } 7. Qd2 { Yes! Now, you will create a hedgehog structure with Be7 Bd7, use the open c-file, castle short, and push your queenside pawns! White will try to castle long. Equal position. [%csl Rd2,Be7,Bd7,Bc8,Ba6,Bb5,Bg8][%cal Rd1d2,Bf8e7,Bc8d7,Ba8c8,Ba7a6,Bb7b5,Be8g8] } *
[Event "Sicilian Defenseüî•‚öîÔ∏è: Sveshnikov Sicilian üí£"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/4wIIAqhD/s4UOv0JN"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/heyucatchthis"]
[ECO "B33"]
[Opening "Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation, Sveshnikov Variation"]
[UTCDate "2021.08.28"]
[UTCTime "19:32:42"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Play the Sicilian Defense. } 1. e4 { [%csl Re4][%cal Re2e4] } 1... c5 { [%csl Gc5,Ge4][%cal Gc7c5] } 2. Nf3 { Now, play Nc6. [%csl Rf3][%cal Rg1f3,Bb8c6] } 2... Nc6 { This move increases the pressure on d4. [%csl Gc6][%cal Gb8c6] } 3. d4 { Capture or not? [%csl Rd4,Re4,Gc5][%cal Rd2d4] } 3... cxd4 { Always capture when white plays d4. [%csl Gd4][%cal Gc5d4] } 4. Nxd4 { Attack the e4 pawn. [%csl Ye4][%cal Rf3d4] } 4... Nf6 { [%csl Gf6][%cal Gg8f6] } 5. Nc3 { Now, play the very aggressive e5. [%csl Rc3][%cal Rb1c3,Be7e5] } 5... e5 { This move kicks the knight out, but weakens the light squares. We will get a lot of compensation, though. [%csl Ge5,Yd5,Yf5][%cal Ge7e5,Be5d4] } 6. Ndb5 { Play d6 [%csl Rb5][%cal Rd4b5,Yb5d6] } 6... d6 { Black must not allow white to enter d6 with the knight. [%csl Gd6,Bd8][%cal Gd7d6,Bf8d6] } 7. Bg5 { White wants to enter d5. a6 here is the best move. [%cal Rc1g5,Yg5d8,Yc3d5,Ba7a6] } 7... a6 { [%csl Ga6][%cal Ga7a6,Ba6b5] } 8. Na3 { Expand on the queenside! [%csl Ra3][%cal Rb5a3] } 8... b5 { This is the Sveshnikov Sicilian. It is very sharp. You have weak central squares that can be exploited, but black also has a lot of piece activity. Magnus Carlsen used it to defend his world champion title in 2018! Plans are highlighted. If you like piece activity and don't care about positional play, this opening might be for you. Go ahead and do more research! [%csl Gb5,Ga6,Ra3,Rc3,Gf6,Gc6][%cal Gb7b5,Bc8e6,Bf8e7,Be8g8,Gg7f6] } *
[Event "Sicilian Defenseüî•‚öîÔ∏è: Closed Sicilian‚öîÔ∏è"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/4wIIAqhD/bx1u8GcM"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/heyucatchthis"]
[ECO "B23"]
[FEN "rnbqkbnr/pp1ppppp/8/2p5/4P3/8/PPPP1PPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 1"]
[Opening "Sicilian Defense: Closed, Traditional"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2021.05.05"]
[UTCTime "19:59:19"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ In this position, white also can play Nc6, the Closed Sicilian. } 1. Nc3 { Copy him! [%csl Rc3,Bc6][%cal Rb1c3] } 1... Nc6 { Yes! This is how you play the Closed Sicilian. White will never get the move d4 in!
Here, white will play g3 Bg2, or an f4, short-castles, and try to gain space on the kingside. Here, you will try to go for a6-b5 Bb7, g6-Bg7, complete developent, castle, and you have a very dynamic game. Plans are highlighted. [%csl Gc6,Yg3,Yg2,Yf4,Yg1,Bg7,Bg6,Ba6,Bb5,Bb7,Bf6,Bg8][%cal Gb8c6,Yg2g3,Yf1g2,Yf2f4,Ye1g1,Bf8g7,Bg7g6,Ba7a6,Bb7b5,Bc8b7,Bg8f6,Be8g8] } *
[Event "Sicilian Defenseüî•‚öîÔ∏è: Review and Conclusion"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/4wIIAqhD/y6tjBkMf"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/heyucatchthis"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "rnbqkbnr/pp1ppppp/8/2p5/4P3/8/PPPP1PPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 1"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2021.05.05"]
[UTCTime "20:04:58"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Now, time to review. The Sicilian Defense is a very tactical game, and there is a big chance there is going to be a crazy game. White can respond with either the Closed Sicilian or the Open Sicilian. The Sicilian Defense is prefered by masters, and sooner or later you are going to have to check it out.

Thank you for visiting my study, I hope you will have a fun time using the Sicilian! Please leave a ‚ù§Ô∏è if you enjoyed, and be sure to check out my other studies for more openings and tips.
https://lichess.org/study/search?q=owner%3Aheyucatchthis+
Happy chess! } *
[Event "üî•üî•: Welcome and Introduction"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/fNOVLINj/zqsYG6Iy"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"]
[ECO "?"]
[Opening "?"]
[UTCDate "2020.07.21"]
[UTCTime "03:10:33"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Hello all, this is Mr_Penings! This is an all-around chess improvement guide. These are the most common mistakes I have seen in players of intermediate level or above.
‚ù§Ô∏èPlease give this study a like and share with others! } *
[Event "üî•üî•: Mistake 1: Castling automatically"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/fNOVLINj/G0fXHTXJ"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "r1bqk2r/pppp1pp1/2n2n1p/2b1p3/2B1P3/2NP1N1P/PPP2PP1/R1BQK2R b KQkq - 0 6"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2020.07.21"]
[UTCTime "03:10:33"]
[Variant "From Position"]

6... O-O 7. O-O $6 ( 7. g4 $1 { White should not blindly castle kingside, or else a huge attacking opportunity will be missed. Here, g4 is an excellent move which takes advantage of Black's early h6, which acts as a hook for White to break open the g-file. White now has Rg1 at his disposal since castle was delayed [%cal Gh1g1] } 7... d6 { A likely response. I'll give some sample variations below of how the game may continue } ( 7... Nd4 8. g5 hxg5 9. Bxg5 c6 10. Rg1 ) 8. g5 hxg5 9. Bxg5 Bb4 { More or less forced to stop the deadly Nd5 } 10. Nh4 { The Bg5 is unstoppable. Black can do little to kick back White's pieces } ) *