Black wins a Pawn

Sometimes in the French Defense, White blunders away a pawn to a simple tactic. I have had Black in the first diagram position no less than 54 times in online play, winning 33 games. In the most recent game, I lost on time in a rook ending in which I still had a one pawn advantage.

Black to move

This tactic may present itself in other openings, too. A strange Sicilian led to the next position on Saturday.

Black to move

The third position occurred in a tournament two months ago. It is the most complicated, as it appears at first glance that White can recover the pawn.

Black to move