Before we talk about the Plachutta Theme, which is already a clue, I’m going to give you one chess position. And based on how you think through it, I can roughly estimate your chess level.

But the real test is not simply whether you find the best move. Two players can reach the same answer for completely different reasons, and that difference says a lot about their actual chess strength.

In this lesson, I break down the puzzle from around 500 level all the way to 2500 level. At each stage, you’ll see how the thinking process changes.

You’ll learn:

• What weaker players usually notice first
• How stronger players organize candidate moves
• When calculation becomes more accurate
• Why checking the opponent’s best defense matters
• How your thought process reveals your real chess level

The biggest improvement opportunity may not be learning more chess facts. It may be learning how to organize your thoughts during a game.

Once you understand that, your decision-making becomes clearer, faster, and much more effective.

Plachutta Theme Puzzle from Tarrasch vs. Allies 1914

If you want to see how not just to solve this but think about other similar positions, watch the full video lesson.

Below, you can find the complete game shown in the video:

Named after Joseph Plachutta, the Plachutta is a theme in chess problems wherein a piece is sacrificially positioned to deny coverage of multiple distant squares required by the opposition. This can occur when an opponent’s long range pieces are defending locations through an intersection square. A piece can be moved into that square to disrupt coverage in such a way that, even if it is captured, the previous defensive situation cannot be restored.

While this usually occurs in puzzles, it may also appear in games. One such famous consultation game was played by Siegbert Tarrasch against Marotti, Napoli, de Simone and del Giudice.

Pair these tips with pattern recognition. Browse the Chess Tactics Lesson Guide. Access lessons on tactical motifs, patterns and combinations across all phases of the game.

Many players can solve difficult puzzles and have puzzle ratings way higher than their respective game ratings. Often they get frustrated when they’re puzzle ratings go up but their chess rating remain stagnant and they don’t why. This is usually because they use a different thinking process when playing than when solving puzzles.

If this is your problem, then there’s a simple solution. You need to get a structured program that can help you develop a thinking system similar to the one you use when solving puzzles. At RCA, we have assembled such courses into a bundle that will help you achieve this goal and reach 2000 ELO. Check out our Boost Your ELO to 2000 Bundle.

Individually, the courses included here are valued at $486. But if you purchase them as a course bundle, then you can get them for only $197. That’s nearly a 60% discount!!