Today’s 5-second tactics

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Zotkin, Daniel

Chertkow, Sasha

North American Junior Chess Championship  Montreal  2014.7.31 Position before Black’s 25th move.  Ofcourse, Black has a totally winning game, his two pawns extra being just part of the reason Black must win.  However, I always value highly (and you should, too) the art of putting away  the opponent as quickly and effectively as possible.

BLACK TO PLAY AND CRUSH!

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Tan, Kylie

Blium, Benjamin

North American Junior Chess Championship  Montreal  2014.8.2   Position after 22 moves. Ofcourse, White has a BIG advantage, especially given the position of the Black King.  But to exploit this, White must hurry as Black needs only play …h6 (and tuck his King into the corner) and he will find himself back in the game…

WHITE TO PLAY AND CRUSH!

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North American Junior Chess Championship  Montreal  2014.7.31 Chertkow, Sasha–Zotkin, Daniel: 25…Qxb6+! Surprise 26.Rxb6 Bd4+ 27.Kh1 Rh2# 0-1

North American Junior Chess Championship  Montreal  2014.8.2  Blium, Benjamin–Tan, Kylie: 23.b4!  Qxb4 ( 23…Nc4 24.Rf6+! PxR 25.Rxf6+ Kg7 26.Qh6+ and 27.PxQ ) 24.Rg4+!! The point of the previous move! 24… Bxg4 25.Qg5# 1-0  (NOTE: To be fair, there is another winning solution starting with 23.Rf8!)