Tactics in the Italian: Puzzle Time!

Have you been practicing the Italian opening?  Try these puzzles, from Mrs Jessica E Prescott (aka BoundingOwl), and see how you do!  If you need review, start here.  Concepts you need to know:

• absolute pins
• forcing moves
• en passant
• discovered check

Each puzzle will be white to move.  All positions come from different possibilities in the Italian.

1.  Queen sac!   First move is a discovered check that takes away the king's last escape square.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.  Mate in two.  Forced!  Look for checks...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.  Don't forget en passant in this puzzle.  This is similar to a puzzle you have done before.  Look for check!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.  Review.  Mate in one!  Discovered double check.

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.  See the battery?  Use the pin to make a back rank mate in two.

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.  Tricky!  First move is very forcing, a knight sac.  Did you notice that the rook is now pinned?

 

 

 

 

 

How did you do?

Tip of the week:  Practice puzzles every day!  You can click on Tactics and Puzzles at the top, or find many specific themes in our Articles section.