Calculation Training 3

A mate in seven for calculation training. One of my favorites, from "Excelling at Chess" by Jacob Aagaard

Category:

Education

Tags:

• chess
• tactics
• training
• combination
• visualization
• mate

[Furansowakun]

It's almost impossible to see that combination, even for grand Masters right ? ... It's crazy.

[isayoldchap1]

@Furansowakun I understand where you are coming from, but no, not impossible. I would never have figured it out over the board, but knowing there was a win I kept working on it for maybe 45 minutes before I figured it out. I can say that with some degree of confidence that someone like Shirov or Ivanchuk could get this in under a minute. Calculation skills will improve drastically with some dedication and practice. It's just one part of the game mind you, but an important one. Thanks!

[dontwheynoeko]

One of my favourites now.

Thank you very much for this beautiful examlpe!

[isayoldchap1]

You're welcome, and I am glad you enjoyed it. It's rare to see an example that involves all the major and minor pieces like this. If anyone else has a nice combination that they'd like to share for use in a video, then I would be happy to use it. Thanks for watching, dontwheynoeko!!

[Horuspoes]

Beautiful example! I did see the Re1+, but I missed the queen sack and continued Nc3+. Very instructive video indeed, Thanks!

[isayoldchap1]

If Ka1 was not possible as a defensive idea, Nc3+ would have been a nice continuation followed up by Rg1 and Nxc3# Once you see that Ka1 is a defensive idea, you start to look for something else, and that's how I found the queen sacrifice idea. Another tip here is that since white has very dangerous threats of his own, you have to find a sequence where you can continue to give check with every move. Thanks for your feedback, Horuspoes!

[Majnu2006]

Great video!

[TheMiwaro]

I enjoyed the video but I don't think that even grandmasters would find this unless they know there is a forced mate in 7. Knowing that gives you a huge advantage because you have to put the king in check....I basically solved it aside from the initial rook move because I knew it was there and im just an amateur....its much more difficult finding something when you don't know if its there

[DrQuasimongo]

yes the first rook-move is not necessary for if the white king moves to c1 or d2 (after Nd4+) there is a double check (Re1+ or Rd2+).

great video anyways;)

[Bestchessmind]

I did it!!! In my head!!! i saw all variations!!! in like 3 min!!!!!! NOT KIDDING! Im 12.

[JohnSNeely]

Great series of videos. I have watched the first three and will watch the rest tomorrow. I almost got the solution. Instead I lead with the queen sacrifice knowing that if the black king ever did tread on c1 or d2, Rxe4+ (discovered) and then Rxh4 wins enough material to win. The other paths are the same as in the example. However you first move is ties the game off more efficiently. Good series.

[adeoluakano]

my calculation started from Qc2 check it may not have been as fast but i think it leads to mate aswell

[isayoldchap1]

@958933 That would also be winning, but sidestepping that capture leads to checkmate faster. Remember that the goal of the game is to checkmate the opponent. If you can do it in three moves instead of five or ten, then you should. Thanks for watching and sharing your comment. I appreciate it.

[TheVladimirtk]

I saw a different combination also leads to mate starts with 1.Qxc2 check

[njkinpin3]

I Got It!!!!

[108chess]

What about 1...Nd4 2.Rc1 (White has to defend the pawn on c2, otherwise it's 2...Qxc2+), Re1 3. Rxe1 (Even if white doesn't capture the rook it will be 3...Rxc1# next move), Qxc2+ 4.Ka1, Qxb2#? Or am I missing something?