Wednesday’s winning 5-second tactics

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wim  Raghavi, N (2256)

gm  Hansen,E

18th Unive Open Hoogeveen 2014.10.12  A nice tactic!  Black had just played the natural 21…Qf8 in response to Eric’s 21.Bh6 (Black HAD to play 21…g6!).  Now White has an opportunity to end the game…

WHITE TO PLAY AND CRUSH!

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gm  Hansen,E

 gm  Vovk, Andrey

18th Unive Open Hoogeveen 2014.10.15  Position after Black’s 37th move, 37…Qc1(?).  Eric is down a pawn, but the presence of opposite colour Bishops reduces significantly its significance. However, much more worrisome is Black’s open King position. Probably Black had only considered 38.Qg3+ Qg5! when Black is reasonably ok.

WHITE TO PLAY AND WIN!

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im  Antoli Royo, Joaquin Miguel  (2450)

gm  Hansen,E

18th Unive Open Hoogeveen 2014.10.15 A fascinating position! Black had just played 37…Nd4, threatening forced mate beginning with 38…Qxd5+. If White defends against this with 38.Ne3, then 38…Qf7! will pick up the f-pawn and give Black a dangerous initiative. His two Knights can be very nightmarish!

WHITE TO PLAY AND WIN!

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Canada’s Eric Hansen

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18th Unive Open Hoogeveen 2014.10.12  Hansen, Eric–Raghavi, N.: 22.Nd7 1-0

18th Unive Open Hoogeveen 2014.10.15 Vovk, Andrey–Hansen, Eric:  38.Qa7! As Black has no direct threats,White can afford himself the luxury of threatening mate himself!  There is no good defence…38…Qg5 39.Qg7+Kh5 40.Qh7+ 1-0  After 40…Qh6  41.g4+ does the trick.

18th Unive Open Hoogeveen 2014.10.15  Hansen, Eric–Antoli Royo, Joaquin Miguel: 38.Be4!! (A brilliant resource. White defends his d-pawn and threatens to invade with his Queen; now if 38…Qf7 39.Qh6! ) Black has little better than how the game went:  38… Nxb3 39.Qh6! Nxa1 and now the most precise move is 40.Bf5! when Black can resign.  (Eric played 40.Ne3  Rd7?! 41.Bf5! 1-0)