TAL discovering targets

 No targets, no combination. This can act as a powerful pruning method. How cool would it be if we were able to say "there are no tactics in this position, so I can stop looking for them"!

[disclaimer]

When I talk about tactical combinations, I exclude for now endgame related themes like promotion, zugzwang and the like. Furthermore, I use the convention to call only pieces targets. Hence no squares and no pawns. Just to keep matters simple for now. Another point of attention is the use of the term preparational move. I use that especially for moves that happen before the combination even starts. Like getting rid of problem pieces. There are preparational moves within the combination too. These are of a different type. They are part of the combination. Let that not confuse you.

This means, that we must find a reliable way to recognize targets in the position. Let's give it a try. Let me first repeat the part of the mind map that is about targets:

red = capture

green = threat

A target can already be on its target square, or we need first moves to force the target onto that square. This means that for the essence of our combination we need to SEE the target square, no matter whether the target piece is already on it or not.

When a target is not yet on the target square, we must force it there. There are 3 methods:

• Chase the target towards the target square. This is especially suited for slow moving pieces (the King) or for pieces that are already almost trapped.
• Lure the target towards the target square by a sacrifice (magnet).
• Exchange a piece on the target square, thus luring the defender onto the target square

White to move

3r3k/nb2q1pp/p4p2/Np2p3/4P3/2P2N1P/PnB1QPP1/R5K1 w - - 0 1

#304. Kazarian, Anna-Maja vs. Van Wessel, Rudy

Source: Chessable 1001 Chess Exercises For Club Players

The methods that you can use to gain advantage from a target are:

• duplo attack (attack two targets with one tempo)
• trap (especially for slow moving targets (the king) or for pieces with little space)
• the LoA battle (changing the balance between #attackers and #defenders around the LoA)

LoA=line of attack

The position above is especially difficult since both the target and the attacker are not in place. The target Qe7 must be lured to its target square b7 with tempo, while the attacker Ra1 must be placed on the attacking square b1 with tempo.

So it is quite understandable that people revert to the CMCT methode.

But since the CMCT method yields many false positives we have to think for ourselves.

The salient cue that we want to learn to see is:

White to move

Once you see the LoA, the moves become immediately clear:

• 1.Nxb7 Qxb7
• 2.Rb1 Nc4
• 3.Qxc4

The duplo method is the pin. But how can we learn to see the LoA?