I Recommend Chess tactics from scratch by Martin Weteschnik for intermediate level players to most advance players.
Chess Tactics from Scratch by Martin Weteschnik is built on the premise that chess tactics are not magical strokes of genius or coincidences, but rather logical results of concrete board positions. Drawing from the philosophy of Wilhelm Steinitz, the book emphasizes that tactics can be systematically broken down into basic, learnable elements—much like mathematics or a new language.
The author argues that doing endless tactical puzzles without understanding the underlying mechanisms is inefficient. Instead, players must first understand the structural components of a motif (such as the exact three-piece chain required for a pin). The excerpt covers the foundational requirements for tactical vision, the physical limitations and obligations of pieces on the board, and an incredibly deep dive into the mechanics, targets, and strategic applications of The Pin.
💡 Top 50 Things to Learn from This Book
General Tactical Philosophy
1. Chess is highly visual; you must train yourself to recognize elementary geometric patterns on the board.
2. Chess is a game of logic; tactics depend strictly on collecting and processing information accurately.
3. Combinations are never coincidences; they are the natural result of concrete positional advantages.
4. Tactics can be broken down into basic, identifiable elements.
5. You should not practice solving tactical puzzles until you fully understand the mechanics behind them.
6. The quickest way to improve amateur chess is to study tactics systematically.
7. You can learn excellent positional strategy by analyzing the awkward piece placements that allow tactics to happen.
8. If a piece looks awkwardly placed, it usually is—and it is likely vulnerable to tactics.
9. Concentrate on the function of the pieces (what they defend/attack) rather than their material value.
10. Always ask yourself why a combination worked for your opponent so you can avoid those conditions in the future.
Piece Movement & Restrictions (Chapter 1)
11. Memorize the "knight web"—know exactly how many moves a knight needs to reach any specific square to easily avoid time-trouble forks.
12. Memorize specific attacking tendencies derived from how pieces move (e.g., a queen or bishop skewering pieces on a diagonal).
13. Beware of "optical illusions"—pieces that look like they can attack or defend but are secretly paralyzed by pins or duties.
14. Piece movement can be restricted by your own or your opponent's pieces blocking the way.
15. Piece movement can be restricted by physical obstacles on the board.
16. Piece movement is restricted by obligations (e.g., a queen cannot move if it is the only piece preventing back-rank mate).
17. Piece movement is restricted by tactical motifs (like pins).
18. You can restore a piece's freedom by removing the obstacle in its way.
19. You can free a piece by relieving it of its defensive duties (e.g., defending a square with a different piece).
20. You can free a piece by neutralizing the tactical motif holding it in place.
The Anatomy of a Pin (Chapter 2)
21. A pin is always a chain consisting of exactly three links.
22. Link 1: The attacking (pinning) piece.
23. Link 2: The pinned piece.
24. Link 3: The target of the pin.
25. Kings, knights, and pawns can never be the attacking piece in a pinning chain.
26. When the King is the target, the pinned piece's movement is radically (or totally) reduced by the rules of chess.
27. Pinned pieces instantly lose their ability to attack the opponent.
28. Pinned pieces instantly lose their ability to defend their allied pieces.
29. Pinned pieces lose their ability to defend critical squares (like mating squares).
30. When calculating variations, visually "erase" the impossible lines of movement for a pinned piece to avoid hallucinations.
Targets & Execution of the Pin
31. The target of a pin does not have to be a piece; it can simply be a vital square on the board.
32. It is always extremely dangerous when your King and the opponent's Queen are on the same line, no matter how many pieces are in between.
33. If two of your pieces are on the same file or diagonal, you are instantly at risk of being pinned.
34. A pin becomes increasingly effective the more valuable the target piece is.
35. You can intentionally lure or force an opponent's King onto an open file to create the third link of a pin.
36. A pin can be established against a completely undefended piece, rendering the pinned piece totally immobile to prevent material loss.
37. One undefended piece or square should set off tactical alarm bells; two in a row means it is "pinning time."
38. The material value of the pinned piece is often irrelevant; what matters is the target behind it.
39. The pinning piece does not need to be of lesser value than the pinned piece (e.g., a Queen can pin a pawn if the target behind the pawn is a King).
40. Whether the attacking (pinning) piece is defended or undefended dictates how aggressively you can exploit the pin.
Advanced Pin Strategies
41. You can use a pin strategically to force the exchange of your opponent's last active piece to enter a won endgame.
42. Be constantly aware of counter-pins—your opponent might pin the very piece you are using to pin them.
43. In a counter-pin, remember that both kings might play a decisive role in the chain.
44. You can attack a pinned piece from any direction except from the direction of its King.
45. You can frequently gain free tempos by attacking a piece that is pinned against a King, as it cannot move away.
46. Goal 1 of a Pin: Set it up simply to win the pinned piece.
47. Goal 2 of a Pin: Set it up to render the pinned piece useless, taking away its ability to fulfill its defensive duties.
48. Goal 3 of a Pin: Use it for the tactical and strategic elimination of pieces restricting your position.
49. You can sacrifice material specifically to create the target piece (or square) required to establish a deadly pin.
50. The threat of attacking a pinned piece is often powerful enough to distract the opponent and win material elsewhere on the board.
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