Top 5 Blitz 'n' Memes of 2024
The beauty of a move lies not in its appearance but in the thought behind it.
Aron Nimzowitsch.
Welcome everybody, to a special year end review of the Top 5 Blitz 'n' Memes of 2024. If you're a fan of puzzles taken from amateur online blitz tournaments, then you have come to the right place, because that is what I have been doing for the past three years.
Yes, again we have come to that special time of year when we look back at the past year to inspect our shared triumphs, tragedies, brilliancy, blunders, mistakes, missed wins and everything else in between.
So, I have taken it upon myself to select the top 5 tactics of 2024...the criteria was simple:
First, I either like the puzzle or I didn't.
Second, regardless of the aesthetic beauty, I tried to consider the thought that must accompany each move.
They are of course taken from the Japan Chess Federation's monthly blitz tournament: TGIF Blitz. The tourney takes place on the 3rd Friday of every month, 21:00 JST, right here on chess.com, and consists of seven rounds of blitz, with a time control of 3+2; and is open to all JCF club members.
Oh yes, and we cannot forget the memes...Blitz without memes, would be like Rick without Morty, Barbie without Ken...Checkmate without the Checkmate sound...it just wouldn't work.
Good luck trying to solve all 5 puzzles on the first attempt. There are no easy ones, but as always the puzzle's name offers some hint.
So, without further ado, lets get to the Blitz 'n' Memes.
#5 Elegant Equestrian
Our first tactic is conveniently from the first month, Shiki_Chess, playing White, is able to bring this attack to an elegant end with one killer move.
Hint: Use your Equine...i.e. horsey.
#4 The Sacred Geometry
This tactic happened way back in March, JamMasterInsane, playing Black, channels the sacred geometry in order to unleash an astonishing sacrifice.
Hint: It is always best to start with forcing moves.
#3 A Pawn Stop
This tactic comes from the month of July, Diego_Yokohama_Chess, playing Black, comes up with a diabolical way to stop the promotion of the f-pawn.
The advance of the f-pawn seems unstoppable, but is it?
# 2 Pawn Slaying
Our penultimate tactic is from April and exemplifies the idea, that the beauty of a move lies in the thought that was put into it, IM nekochabo, playing White, goes all out in order to win a single pawn...
Can you target Black's only weakness?
#1 First the Appetizer, Then the Main Course
And the moment you have all been waiting for: the top tactic of the year. Our winner is from the month of May, IM nekochabo, playing Black, is able to take a seemingly innocuous position, and turn it into a brilliancy in a few short moves.
Good Luck!
And that was it, that was the top 5 Blitz 'n' Memes of 2024. Congrats to all of the contributors, but especially to IM nekochabo with that exceptional finish. And a special congratulations to you few who got all 5 of these tactics correct on the first attempt you are the true 2024 Tactic Champions.
This marks 3 years of Blitz 'n' Memes, thanks for joining me on this journey, I couldn't keep going without the support of you, my dear readers and friends!!
As always thanks for reading, and feel free to share these tactics with your friends down at the library or NYE party.
Cheers, and Happy New Year to you all,
SheldonOfOsaka.
Oh and just a reminder...
I have lots of chess themed apparel, bags, stickers and t-shirts available on my online shop at REDBUBBLE. If that is of interest to you, kindly invite the "Click Button" to play a few friendly games of chess, but when it shows up, only play the London System...
