Dec 07: Puzzle #5

White to play and win

Carlsen-Dominguez 2007, World Cup (3)

Solution :

1Nd5! Rc1 ( if 1..Rd7 2Nf6+)

2 h4 ! Re1

3hg5 and White has a winning position.

Puzzle #4

Black to play and win

Hint : Morozevich found a nice tactical motif linked to his knight in this position against Ljubojevic. It was in a blindfold game in Monaco. A top grandmaster like Morozevich can find complex combinations without looking at the board, which is very impressive.

Replay solution here : http://www.geocities.com/thechesscorner/dec20074htm.htm

Tactics #3

White to play and win

From a game played online thechesscorner-N.N 2007

Solution:

1 Nd5! wins.

1..Bd5 is met by 2Rc8! while 1..Qd5 loses because of 2Bf6 with mate on g7. This tactical theme is called overloading.

December 07 : Chess Tactics #2

White to play and win

In this position, the former world champion Mikhail Tal uncorked a magnificent combination.
White has to act fast otherwise Black will complete his development with Bd7-Bc6.

Solution ( Main Line ) :

1 Bh7 + Kh7 2 Rh3+ Kg8 3 Nf5 Qg5 4 Qh5!! Qh5 5 Ne7+ Kh8 5 Rh5#

Replay solution here with board + annotations:

http://geocities.com/thechesscorner/talnn1.htm

December 07 Chess Quiz #1

White to play and win !

Sutovsky-Smirin 2002

Hint: E. Sutovsky is a top GM with a focus on creativity and attack. He has created many masterpieces at the top level. Here, he concludes the attack with a brilliant sac leading to a forced mate.

Replay the solution here : http://www.geocities.com/thechesscorner/dec20072.htm