Uncovering the Power of Intermediate Moves in Chess: Examples from Top Players

Chess players are often faced with difficult decisions during a game, and sometimes the best move is not the most obvious one. In a recent tournament, top players showcased their ability to find creative intermediate moves that turned the tide of the game.

In the Tata Steel tournament 2025, Fabiano Caruana faced a challenging position against Jorden Van Foreest. Instead of opting for the straightforward recapture after a piece exchange, Caruana played a surprising move that created a pin on his own, catching his opponent off guard.

Similarly, in a match between Garry Kasparov and Alexei Shirov, Kasparov demonstrated his strategic prowess by playing an unexpected intermediate move that shut down his opponent’s dangerous counterplay. The move not only refuted Black’s threats but also set up a winning position for White.

Even world champion Magnus Carlsen found himself in a tricky situation against Levon Aronian in the Norway Chess 2015 tournament. Carlsen had to carefully navigate a pawn-down position and found that an intermediate move was the key to securing a victory.

In a particularly bold move, Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa ignored his queen being attacked for four moves in a row against Nodirbek Abdusattorov. By playing unconventional intermediate moves, Abdusattorov created complications for his opponent and almost turned the tables in his favor.

These examples highlight the importance of looking beyond the obvious moves in chess and considering intermediate moves that can change the course of the game. By staying alert and thinking creatively, players can find hidden opportunities to outmaneuver their opponents and secure victory.