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Thursday, June 4, 2020

Back Rank Clearance Tactical Motif

Not sure if back rank clearance is common parlance, but perhaps a glance at the diagrammed position will define it by picture. 

It is well known that hanging (en prise pieces) are the origin of any tactical sequence. Combine that with King safety and it is not difficult to see why Bishop to the g4 square initiates the fireworks against knightjouster5 during a blitz game at the internet chess club. BTW GM Jesse Kraai believes online chess along with the COVID-19 might irreversibly damage the long time control aspect of our beloved Royal Game. He and Greg Shahade are extreme adversaries in the short versus long time control paradigm shift!! Kraai's pithy and incisive column in Chess Life should win multiple awards!

Back to the diagram. White's hanging Queen at c2 and rook at a1 fully justify the "hanging attack" Bg4. Work through the variations. IT IS STUNNING!!

I am certain Saint Louis chess club commentator Jonathan Schrantz would include this in one of his instructional videos.





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