Confused about puzzles
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So I've played a few puzzles and I have watched a few videos and I just don't understand what the aim is? I feel like I've accidentally missed something somewhere and I'm probably over thinking it and I just need someone to spell it out for me.
At first I thought you had to find mate and then to make captures but my daily puzzle today featured a bishop sacrifice and was solved by moving out of check. Is it just making the best move unless you're given a specific aim like in the forums?
Apr 18, 2021
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#2
Basically you have to find the best move or the best sequence of moves.
The result might be a checkmate, a gain in material or even sometimes a perpetual check when you are down a lot of material (these are rarer but they exist).
First step is to count the material. In almost all of the puzzles in the end you will either have more material that the opponent or you will checkmate the opponent. The only exception to this are puzzles where you can only force a draw (but as I've said those are rare).
Second step is to look all of the forcing moves. Those are checks, captures and attacks. Then try to visualize what can your opponent do when you make a certain move. When you check those, the one that your opponent can't respond in a good way is most likely the answer.
In easier puzzles you will have a lot of mate in 1 moves or hanging pieces.