Methods for Finding Tactics

 To execute a tactic, a player must identify weaknesses in their opponent's position. These weaknesses can come in many forms, and recognizing them is an essential skill for any chess player. 

• Hanging (undefended) pieces: Pieces that are left unprotected or undefended are vulnerable to attack.
• Under-defended pawns and pieces: Pawns and pieces that are not adequately protected can be targeted by the opponent.
• Vulnerable king position: A king that is exposed or in a poor position can be a significant weakness.
• Pawn weaknesses: Pawns that are isolated, doubled, or backwards can be targeted by the opponent.
• Backward pawns: Pawns that are pushed too far forward can be weak and become an easy target for attack.
• Weak squares: Squares that are undefended or can't be protected by pawns or pieces are potential targets for tactics.
• Unprotected pieces: Pieces that are left undefended or that can be taken without any consequences for the opponent can be exploited.
• Overloaded pieces: Pieces that are responsible for protecting multiple squares or pieces can be a weakness if they are forced to move.
• Space advantage: Having more space can be a major advantage in chess, and can be exploited with tactics such as forks and pins.
• Trapped pieces: Pieces that are trapped or unable to move can be a weakness for the player.
  
  

The more of these weaknesses you can identify in your opponent's position, the more opportunities you have to launch a tactical attack. Keep in mind that exploiting these weaknesses requires both knowledge and practice, so keep practicing and analyzing these concepts to improve your chess tactics.

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Finding Tactics Chess Articles

5 Grandmaster Tips To Improve Your Tactics - Chess.com Article

Finding the Tactic in Chess Games - ichess Article w/ 40 Min Embedded Anna Rudolph Video (Real Nice)
 
Spotting And Avoiding Tactics - NM Dan Heisman Article on Chess.com

How to Improve Your Tactical Vision - GM Avetik - Lichess Blog Article

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LiChess Studies

Spotting Tactics - 5 Chapter Interactive Study
Beginner Tactics - 9 Chapter Study (540 Hearts)

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Chess Tactics Video Lessons

General Lessons In Spotting tactics
Squarology's "7 Signs of Tactics" Series - 11 Video Playlist - (1.5hr) Chess.com ( IM Daniel Tapia )

How to Find Chess Tactics in Quiet Positions? - 20 Min - GM Igor Smirvov
How To Spot "Hidden" Tactics In Your Games - Tricky Chess Tactics Lesson - 15 Min - NM Nelson Lopez
Recognizing Tactics in your Games | Road to 2000 - 55 Min - NM Caleb denby

NM Dan Heisman

Safety and Tactics - 44 Video Playlist  - (Really Great Tactics Playlist) Finding Tactics Below
Chess Tactics - Seeds of Tactical Destruction - how to spot tactics! - 28 Min
Chess Tactics: More Seeds of Tactical Destruction - 28 Min
Using Seeds of Tactical Destruction to Spot Chess Tactics - 29 Min
The Geometry of Chess Tactics - 29 Min

Chess Forcing Moves (Checks, Captures, Threats)

How to find tactics in chess | Using forcing moves to improve your chess thinking - 26 Min - Zibbit
Chess Tactics 101: Introduction - Forcing Moves - 14 Min - Im Kostya Kavutskiy
Forcing Moves | Beginner Breakdown - 65 Min - St. Louis Chess Club Lesson
Forcing Moves Revisited | Beginner Breakdown - 61 Min - St.Louis Chess Club
Paul Morphy's Forcing Moves & Initiative | Kids' Class - GM Josh Friedel - 27 Min St.Louis Chess Club
Learn Chess: The Forcing Moves - Checks, Captures & Threats - 28 min - NM Dan Heisman
Did you calculate correctly? | Checks, Captures & Threats Method - Exercise Solution - * Min - IM Alax Astaneh

Positions To Know

A Crucial Chess Principle About Tactics - 7 Min - NM Nelson Lopez

Unprotected Pieces

Chess Tactics: The Signals of Undefended Pieces! - 7 Mins - Chess.com Video
How to identify Hanging Pieces | Chess Fundamentals | IM Alex Astaneh - 14 Min - IM Alex Astaneh
How to identify and attack unprotected Pieces and Pawns | Chess Fundamentals | IM Alex Astaneh - 16 Min - IM Alex Astaneh
Fundamentals #3: Undefended Pieces by Max Warmerdam - 66 Min