6. Kung Fu shot

The most important theme of this shot is that a square (square 37 in this case) is opened with taking backwards so that black jumps to this square.

1.43 – 38! 33 x 42

2.37 x 48 26 x 37

4.41 x 3

The combination can be performed at different places at the board.

In this case square 34 is opened.

1.38 – 33! 28 x 39

2.34 x 43 25 x 34

3.40 x 16

Sometimes you have to prepare the Kung Fu part of the combination.

☼ Kung Fu refers to the kicking back capture which opens a square in order to make black jump to the same square.

White gets a king at 5, by through the following actions:

Piece 14 is removed.

A black piece is transported to square 33. White can take back then with 28 x 39 opening square 28. Black has to capture piece 22 after which white jumps to king square 5.

1.35 – 30! 24 x 44

2.25 – 20 14 x 25

3.43 – 39 44 x 33

4.28 x 39 17 x 28

5.32 x 5

White achieves the following goals:

Piece 18 is removed.

Square 34 is opened by taking back 34 x 43.

Black must take 25 x 34 after which white jumps to square 7 and is on his way to a king.

1.27 – 22! 18 x 27

2.28 – 22 17 x 39

3.34 x 43 25 x 34

4.40 x 7

1.38 – 33?

A very dangerous move opening a track to king for black.

1…. 23 – 29!

2.34 x 23 30 – 34

3.39 x 8 12 x 3

4.21 x 12 7 x 49

5.16 x 7 49 x 2

In this example white transports a king to square 33 and uses a free move to play 44 – 40.

1.36 – 31! 27 x 36

2.47 – 41 36 x 47

3.44 – 40 47 x 33

4.29 x 38 20 x 29

5.34 x 3

This position occurred in a game between two grandmasters: G. Jansen beat Gantwarg during the Wch 1992.

White wants a black piece at 27 after which he transports another piece to 43 to make the Kung Fu shot.

1.22 – 18! 22 x 13

2.37 – 31 36 x 27

3.25 – 20 14 x 25

4.35 – 30 25 x 43

5.38 x 49 27 x 38

6.42 x 15

White is looking for a 39 x 6 shot.

1.24 – 19! 13 x 24

2.37 – 31 36 x 27

3.38 – 32 27 x 38

4.33 x 42 24 x 33

5.39 x 6

This is a special case! Square 33 is opened while piece 33 supports the shot at the same time!

1.28 – 22! 17 x 37

2.27 – 21 16 x 27

3.35 – 30 24 x 44

4.33 x 42 44 x 33

5.38 x 7

C 6.1

C 6.2

C 6.3

C 6.4

C 6.5

C 6.6

C 6.7

C 6.8

7. Ping Pong shot

In a ping pong shot there are several capturing moves in a row. The capturing part is like a rally in a ping pong game.

1.35 – 30! 25 x 34

2.40 x 18 13 x 22

3.28 x 26

In this example white has to open square 18 first before the ping pong show begins.

1.27 – 22! 18 x 27

2.35 - 30 25 x 34

3.40 x 18 13 x 22

4.28 x 26

After removing pieces 17 and 18 white can take the ping pong shot winning a piece.

1.27 – 22 18 x 27

2.31 x 11 16 x 7

3.25 – 20 14 x 34

4.40 x 18 13 x 22

5.28 x 26

Here the situation is more complex, because black has a choice at the first move.

1. 22 – 17!

If black takes 1… 12 x 21 then white continues: 2.34 – 30 25 x 34 3.40 x 18 13 x 22 4.28 x 26 gaining a piece. The other capture allows a longer shot.

1…. 11 x 22

2.28 x 17 12 x 21

3.34 – 30 25 x 34

4.40 x 18 13 x 22

5.33 – 29 24 x 33

6.39 x 26

We see a similar idea in a different position of the board. At the first move black has a choice but only taking towards the centre makes sense.

1.29 – 23! 19 x 28

2.37 – 31 26 x 37

4.41 x 23 18 x 29

5.33 x 4

☼ When looking for a combination never forget to check moves after which black has a choice how to capture!

1.27 – 22 18 x 27

2.32 x 21 16 x 27

3.29 x 18 12 x 23

After 13 x 22 white wins a piece by 33 – 29 24 x 33 39 x 6.

4.34 – 30 25 x 34

5.40 x 18 13 x 22

6.33 – 29 24 x 33

7.39 x 6

White gains a piece.

1.35 - 30!

White has a nice position surrounding the black centre. Black wants to get space and makes an exchange to square 28. White however has foreseen this and gains advantage through a ping pong shot.

1… 23 – 28

2.33 x 22 17 x 28

3.32 x 23 19 x 28

White has a free move to make a ‘rally’.

4.43 – 39! 21 x 32

5.39 – 33! 28 x 39

6.34 x 43 25 x 23

7.37 x 10

White thought this to be a strong move, but he was mistaken:

1.25 – 20? 24 – 30!

2.35 x 24 13 – 19

3.24 x 13 18 x 9

4.27 x 29 15 x 44

This is a famous composition of Dutch composer Gortmans. We hope you enjoy this nice piece of art in which white performs a ping pong shot ending in a surprising, winning position.

1.38 – 33! 28 x 48

2.50 – 44 25 x 34

3.44 – 39 34 x 43

4.42 – 38 48 x 31

5.36 x 27 22 x 31

6.11 x 22 18 x 27

7.32 x 21 43 x 32

8.26 x 17

C 7.1

C 7.2

C 7.3

C 7.4

C 7.5

C 7.6

C 7.7

C 7.8