Phases & endgames
Middlegame tactics
Where plans turn into combinations.
What is the middlegame tactics?
Middlegame tactics appear once development is done and the heavy pieces join the fight. This is the richest phase for combinations — sacrifices on the king, pins and forks born from a plan, and breakthroughs that convert a positional edge into a concrete win.
Why the middlegame tactics matters
The middlegame is where games are usually decided and where calculation matters most. Strong middlegame tactics are what let you cash in an advantage instead of drifting and letting it slip.
How to use it to win
Tie tactics to your plan: improve your worst piece, open lines toward the enemy king, then look for the combination those lines create. Always scan for the opponent's loose pieces and overworked defenders.
Try an example puzzle
A real middlegame tactics puzzle from the app. White to move — find the idea, then reveal the line.
7 
2 
g Show solution
1. Nxc6 bxc6 2. Bxe4
Drill the middlegame tactics on thousands of real puzzles, matched to your rating.