I wanted to share news of a very interesting new book: "Modern Chess: From Steinitz to the 21st Century" by International Master Craig Pritchett. This Thinkers Publishing title is exactly what it sounds like, and has something for chess enthusiasts of all levels: Some history, some culture, some famous games we ought to have seen but maybe haven't, some instruction.
Before every move, you must consider all of your opponent's possible forcing replies to your move! When I was 16, I thought I had 'discovered' this key to avoiding silly tactical mistakes in OTB games. Later, when I became a chess teacher and coach, I discovered that many instructional books wisely direct readers to critically examine all the possible checks, captures and threats for both sides.
I wanted to offer another position that could be profitably solved by both newer and club level young tournament players. I got the position from the new book, "Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2021", by Grandmaster Daniel Fernandez.
Kids are very used to solving tactics, so they often attempt to treat instructive positions as if they were simple tactical exercises: "Takes, takes, bang". But real life doesn't work that way! Your opponent also has the right to exist, and will try to fight against your ideas. Anybody suggesting the sequence starting with 1.Qxd3?? is playing what the famous teacher Dan Heisman calls "hope chess" - making a move and hoping it works.
I wanted to share another interesting position for you to think about. I have been using this with a wide range of players during lessons and finding the resulting variations very instructive.
