Today’s winning 5-sec tactics

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2nd GM Danzhou  2011.5.23  gm Hou Yifan–gm Li Chao.  Position before Black’s 29th move.  A sharp and asymmetric fight! Black has the advantage on the Queenside, and White on the other side of the board.  Such fights are great fun for the spectators…somehow spectators are very good judges of timing.  Here the game is decided exactly by this theme…Unfortunately for White, it is Black’s move!

BLACK TO PLAY AND CRUSH!

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1st Metropolitan Int  LA  2011.8.18  fm Haessel,D–im Panjwani,R.  Position after White’s 31st move (31.Bf1?).  Another asymmetric fight, this time decided by a really cute tactical stroke.  Do you see it?

BLACK TO PLAY AND CRUSH!

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SOLUTIONS

2nd GM Danzhou  2011.5.23 Hou Yifan–Li Chao: 29…Rxa2!! 30.Bxa2 ( or 30.Kxa2 Qa5+ 31.Kb1 Qa1+ 32.Kc2 Be1+ with a forced mate ) 30…b3! 31.Bxb3 Qa3!  White could now resign with a clear conscience.  The game continued 32.Kc2 Qb2+ 33.Kd3 Ba5 34.Bc4 Rxc4 35.Ne2 Qc2+ 36.Ke3 Bb6+ 0-1

1st Metropolitan Int  LA  2011.8.18  Haessel,D–Panjwani,R: 31…Re4!  0-1  A shocker for White. Black, with one little move, threatens both mate in 1 as well as the Rook on e1! Resignation is justified as Black wins huge material advantage.