Today’s 5-second tactics

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gm  Rakhmanov,Ale

im  Kostin,Alexe

Voronezh Master Open 2014.6.12  Position before Black’s  21st move.  Clearly Black stands better, with an exchange to boot. There is no doubt that 21…Nf1+ and 22…Nxd2 should eventually win with good technique.  (Unfortunately, 22…Qh2+ does not lead to smothered mate as the Bishop on h4 is covering g3.)

The sign of a really strong player is his ability to cut short the work required to win any given position, and here Rakhmanov displayes great skill.  Rather than a boring but sure technical win, he spots a clever idea that many would have overlooked…

21…Rad8!

The grandmaster touch!  If now the Queen flees to b3 there follows 22…Rxd2! 23.NxR Nf1+ and mate next move on h2.

22.BxR

There is not really much better

BLACK TO PLAY AND MATE IN 3