Today’s 5-second tactics!
SPRAGGETT ON CHESS
gm PLACHETKA
gm HECTOR
Position after 21 moves of play. Gausdal, 1989. A sharp position, very unbalanced, especially with the asymetrical pawn structure. Black’s Bishop on a6 is trying to reduce White’s attacking potential. White can not take twice on a6 followed by capturing the Bishop on c5 because the White Rook on f1 will be hanging.
HOWEVER, White is not interested in winning a mere Bishop!
WHITE TO PLAY AND WIN!
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2.
TIBENSKY
gm PLACHETKA
From Trnava, 1988. White has an obvious winning positional advantage with his passed pawns, but Black refuses to give up and fights to the bitter end. If White now tries the hurried 27.Rxg7 ?! then 27…e5! , when White must exchange Queens with 28.Qg4 and though he would still be winning, it is still not over!
HOW DID WHITE QUICKLY PUT BLACK OUT OF HIS MISERY?
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3.
gm SUBA
im VERNAY
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3.
gm SUBA
From Italy, 2010. Here Suba was planning to play 34…Re4, attacking both Bishop and Knight. Just as he was about to play this move, he hesitated! After a few moments thought, Suba RESIGNED!!
WHAT DID SUBA SEE THAT CAUSED HIM TO RESIGN?
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4.
im TORAN
im STEINER,H
37.Qc2+??
HOW DOES BLACK WIN AFTER THIS CHECK?
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4.
im TORAN
Havana, 1952! White has messed up a winning game and now it seems that the game should end in a draw after 37.RxR! QxR+ 38.Kg1 Qd4+! with a perpetual check. INSTEAD, Steiner tried one last check…always a tricky business!
37.Qc2+??
HOW DOES BLACK WIN AFTER THIS CHECK?