Wednesday’s winning 5-second tactics

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AN EASY ONE TO START WITH!

 

fm  Korley, Kassa  (2428)

gm  Stukopin, Andrey  (2566)

This season’s US Chess League.  2014.9.10 Position after 19 moves. White has an obvious positional edge with his control of the only two open files on the board. He could now continue advantageously 20.Rh2 which would probably win a pawn…BUT there is better!  MUCH BETTER!

 

WHITE TO PLAY AND WIN!

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gm  So, Wesley (2755)

gm  Molner, Mackenzie  (2522)

US Chess League 2014.9.24  Position before Black’s 18th move.  At first sight what can go wrong with White’s position?  Everything is defended!

BLACK TO PLAY AND WIN A PIECE!

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Huang, Gary M  (2204)

Smith, Shaun M  (1950)

US Chess League  2014.9.17  Position after Black’s 23rd move (23…Ng5).  A typical position arising from Queen’s-Gambit Openings. White is better on the Queenside (pawn-structure); Black on the Kingside (initiative).  Correct now is 24.NxN QxN 25.Kf1! with a balanced struggle in progress…INSTEAD, White played with fire:

24.Ne5?! 

No doubt White was counting on something like 24…BxN  25.PxB Qxe5?!26.f4!

BLACK TO PLAY AND CRUSH!

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US Chess League  ICC 2014.9.10 Stukopin, Andrey–Korley, Kassa:  20.Rh8+ 1-0 Cute!  It is forced mate along the h-file  after 20…KxR 21.Bxf7 Bh3 22.Rh1 and 23.RxB++

US Chess League  ICC 2014.9.24 Molner, Mackenzie–So, Wesley:  18…Qb5!  The winning move. Black will win a piece.  If now  19.b3 Bxf5! Key move. 20.exf5 Na3+ 21.Kb2 Qxe2 22.Nxe2 Rxc2+ and Rxe2 hitting two pieces.  The game continued 19.c3 Bxf5!  0-1  After 20.ef5 Na3+ 21.Ka1 QxQ and 22…Nc2+ Black emerges with an extra piece.

US Chess League  ICC 2014.9.17 Smith, Shaun M–Huang, Gary M: 24…Nxh3+!! This is a well calculated execution! 25.gxh3 Bxh3!  The threat is …Qg5+; If now 26.Nxf7 then 26…Bh2+! 27.Kh1! Rh4! is decisive.  The game continued:  26.Nef3 Qe6! 27.Nh2 ( 27.Bxh7+ Kh8 ) Bxh2+ 28.Kxh2 Qg4 0-1 It is forced mate.