Thursday’s 5-second tactics!

THE BREAK THRU

im  BATTAGLINI,Gab

im  LEROY, Didier

From the recently concluded French Team Championship. Position after 22 moves. Both sides have their plusses and minuses in this position, but it is White’s move and so he is able to dictate.  Notice that the Black Kingside is weakened and the Black Knight on a7 is completely out of play, at least for the time being…can White take immediate advantage of this?

WHITE TO PLAY AND WIN!

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BACK RANK WOES

im  COLLAS, Didier

gm  MARCELIN,C

French Tch.  White has just played 25.Ra7, attacking the Bishop on b7.  At first sight this seems like a good idea, but in actual fact it is a mistake that turns a slightly more comfortable position into a dead lost position!  (White is a pawn to the good, but Black’s active pieces compensate)  Chess can be so cruel at times….but once more we can refer to Steinitz: he who has the advantage has a responsibilty to prove that advantage…otherwise that advantage might actually be your ruin!  Lasker went  even further: he wrote that having the advantage carries with it a moral responsibility to  play flawlessly.  Failure to do so can be  punished swiftyly in our noble game.

Back to the actual position above, what did White overlook?

BLACK TO PLAY AND WIN!

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SURPRISE MATE!

im  SHOKER, Samy

gm  HAMDOUCHI,H

French Tch.  Position after 27 moves.  Material is even but White has an extra piece to attack with.  This is important when the position is complex or obscure and you are fighting for the initiative.  Pawns generally dominate in the ending; pieces in the middlegame.

And–of course–it is White to move here!  This always helps

WHITE TO PLAY AND WIN!

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SOLUTIONS