Learning the Shirov Killer

['Efstratios Grivas', 'Efstratios', 'Is A Highly Experienced Chess Trainer', 'Chess Author. He Has Been Awarded The International Chess Federation', 'Fide', 'The Titles Of International Chess Grandmaster', 'Fide Senior Trainer', 'International Chess Arbiter', 'International Chess Organiser.'] Chess News 2024-11-22 00:00:00

What is for certain is that tactical motifs are continuously repeated and can be learned exactly as we learn opening theory. In this survey I will present an often met tactical motif, which I call the "Shirov Killer". This is the famous game played by the legendary GM Alexei Shirov, after whom this tactical combination was named. A killer, and Black resigned, due to 28...Rxf7 (28...Bxf6 29.Qxf8 #) 29.Re8+ Rf8 30.Rxf8 mate. and Black resigned, due to 43...Rxf7 (43...Bxf6 44.Qxf8# ; 43...Rg8 44.Qxg7+ Rxg7 45.Rc8+ Qe8 46.Rxe8#) 44.Rc8+ Qe8 45.Rxe8+ Rf8 46.Rxf8#.