Tactics

What is a brilliancy in chess?

  • Tactics
  • Forcing
  • Pattern

A brilliancy is a move or game that is unusually creative, beautiful, and correct. Most brilliancies are built on concrete tactics, not magic.

What to look for on the board

  • Checks, captures, and threats.
  • Loose pieces and unsafe kings.
  • A forcing sequence, not just a pattern name.

Related terms

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