If you play chess for blood, it makes sense to learn the violent tactics that feature in the openings that you play. More practical than taking in tactical themes by general category – knight forks, clearance, bank-rank mates, and so on – is to learn them in the context of your openings. Your knowledge of the lines makes these combinations much more interesting, and in turn the combinations teach you about the dangers that lurk for both players in that opening system. Combining opening study with tactics practice, Quick Kills is an e-book series devoted to the tactical ideas that crop up when theory runs out. Each title contains hundreds of puzzles by high-rated players, set in a specific opening. The first screen contains the citation, game score, and diagram, while the second screen presents the diagram with the solution. The positions build on each other, yet without becoming repetitive. You will learn tactics best in the field where you already do your best work – in the opening you employ.
