5-sec tactics from Norway
As promised! The following examples are taken from the Havard Vederhus Memorial taking place right now in Norway. Each one tests your tactical skill. By limiting yourself to 5-seconds, you also develop accuracy. There will be a total of 8 examples by the end of the day. (Be patient!) Solutions at the end. GOOD LUCK!
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im Donchenko,A
im Lie, Espen
Position after 20 moves. Black’s last two moves were …c5 and …Bxe4. Normally this can be an effective equalizing method, but here Black was too optimistic and he overlooked a powerful tactical shot, mostly based on the awkward position of the Black Queen. Do you see the idea?
WHITE TO PLAY AND WIN MATERIAL!
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Lampert,J (2360)
gm Hansen,E
Position after 19 moves of play. While White is a pawn down, his position is dominating. In particular, the Black King is exposed . Eric finds a neat combinational solution that destroys any illusions Black might have had …
WHITE TO PLAY AND WIN!
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SOLUTIONS
Lie, Espen–Donchenko, Alexander: 21.c6! This wins material 21…Qxc6 ( No better is 21…Bxb4 22.Nxb4 Qc8 23.cxd7 or 21…Bxc6 22.Bxe7; and if instead 21…Bxf3 22.Bxf3 Bxb4 23.Nxb4 etc ) 22.Nd4 ( Also suficiente is 22.Bxe7 Bxf3 23.Rdc1 Qe4 24.Bxf3 Qxf3 25.Bxf8 ) 22…Qb7 ( No better is 22…Qc4 23.Bxe4 Nxe4 24.Qxc4 bxc4 25.Bxe7 Rfe8 26.Ne1 Rxe7 27.Nc6 ) 23.Bxe4 Qxe4 24.Bxe7 Qxd4 25.Bxf8 Rxf8 26.Qxb5 1-0 A bit premature, but Black’s position is hopeless.
Hansen, Eric–Lampert, Jonas: 20.Rxh7!! Kxh7 ( 20…Bxg5 21.Qh3 Bf6 22.Qh6! and there is no defence ) 21.Qh3+ Kg8 22.Rh1! Rf5 ( There is no escape: 22…Kf7 23.Bxg6+! Kxg6 24.Qh7# ) 23.Bxf5 gxf5 24.Qh7+ Kf8 25.Qxf5+ Kg7 ( If 25…Kg8 White wins after 26.Qh7+ Kf8 27.Qh8+ Kf7 28.g6+ Ke6 29.Qh3+ Kf6 30.Qh4+ Ke6 31.Qg4+ Kf6 32.Qg5+ etc ) 26.Rh6 ( 26.Qh7+ transposes into the previous note after 26…Kf8 27.Qh8+ Kf7 28.g6+ ) Rd8 27.Qh7+ Kf8 28.Rg6 Bxg5? It is lost in any case. 29.Rg8# 1-0