Today’s 5-second tactic

Ganichev,A

gm  Timofeev,A

St.Petersburg, 2012.  Position after 30 moves.  A sharp Sicilian with both Kings under direct threats.  In such position having a good eye for tactical twists is absolutely essential to winning, let alone surviving.  In this position Black threatens …Re1.  That is a serious threat!

HOW CAN WHITE COME OUT ON TOP?

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Stathopoulos,I

gm  Kotronias,V

Vrachati, Greece, just the other day.  Position after 26 moves of play. White has an obvious positional advantage plus very active pieces.  Black –if that is not enough–also lacks coordination of his pieces. Surely there must be a way to put Black out of his misery!

WHITE TO PLAY AND WIN!

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Botvinnik Memorial 2012:Timofeev,Arty–Ganichev,Alex: 31.Be4!!   Re5 32.Bxd5+ Kf8 33.Be4 Bc7 34.Rh3 Ke7 35.Rf3 1-0

3rd Isthmia Open; Kotronias, Vasilios–Stathopoulos, Ioannis: 27.Ne5+!! fxe5 28.Qf3+ Ke8 29.Rxd8+ Qxd8 30.Rg7 Qb8 31.Qf7+ 1-0