user7036: This is kind of like magic to me. Once they show you it becomes obvious :) :(
Can someone point out a good/easy strategy that a player can mentally train/use to decide what is the best move here for black?
Note: Guys, there is a best move for black there can lead to a checkmate later. The goal is not to find it, but to come up with a procedure to find it so it can be applied to other positions.


user4362: I would say there are two tactical possibilities for black here:

1…Bxd3 2.Rxd3 Rxa4 3.Qxa4 Nxb2 wins the pawn back with a better position (the a3 pawn is now weak).
1…Rxe3 2.fe Nxe3 3.Qe2/d2 Bxd4 and the a4 Knight is hanging and the d1 rook is hanging with check … it still isn't over, in a game you should probably calculate further, but I'm to lazy to do that now.

There actually is an easy rule to find both of these tactical strikes:
Consider all captures!
Usually this rule is even broader: Consider all forcing moves! This includes captures, checks and attacks on stronger pieces.
Disclaimer: As with all rules this maxim has to be tempered by experience.

7036: <p>This is kind of like magic to me. Once they show you it becomes obvious :) :(</p>

<p>Can someone point out a good/easy strategy that a player can mentally train/use to decide what is the best move here for black?</p>

<p><strong>Note:</strong> Guys, there is a best move for black there can lead to a checkmate later. The goal is not to find it, but to come up with a procedure to find it so it can be applied to other positions.</p>

<p><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/kDJBJ.png" alt="enter image description here"></p>
 4362: <p>I would say there are two tactical possibilities for black here:</p>

<ul>
<li><p>1…Bxd3 2.Rxd3 Rxa4 3.Qxa4 Nxb2 wins the pawn back with a better position (the a3 pawn is now weak).</p></li>
<li><p>1…Rxe3 2.fe Nxe3 3.Qe2/d2 Bxd4 and the a4 Knight is hanging and the d1 rook is hanging with check … it still isn't over, in a game you should probably calculate further, but I'm to lazy to do that now.</p></li>
</ul>

<p>There actually is an easy rule to find both of these tactical strikes:</p>

<p>Consider all captures!</p>

<p>Usually this rule is even broader: Consider all forcing moves! This includes captures, checks and attacks on stronger pieces.</p>

<p>Disclaimer: As with all rules this maxim has to be tempered by experience.</p>
