Today’s winning 5-second tactics
Do you have the strength–and the finesse— to put it all together when under enormous time-pressure?
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THE TRAPPER TRAPPED!
Domingo Nunez,R (2100)
gm Suba,M
42nd La Roda Open 2015.4.5 Position after White’s 20th move (20.Rg5) attacking the Black Queen and preparing to double along the g-file. Not unsurprisingly, a sharp variation in the King’s Indian Defence has lead to a sharp position with opposite side castling, and in such positions tactical acumen is GOD. Objectively, Black should now take the Bishop on d3 and then retreat his Queen, but his eye caught some clever tactical ideas…
20…Rxh3!??!
Chess is all about trying to make the most of the opportunities that present themselves, and without being too critical of Black’s concept, a crisis now appears on the board. How should White continue? Clearly White can not take the Queen as 21…Rxh1+ wins the house. Neither would 21.RxR QxR(h3) cause Black any problems…Did Suba overlook Black’s last move?
21.Rhg1!
This strong move seems to win as it not only defends the attacked Rook but simultaneously attacks both the Black Queen and the Bishop on g7…
21…Qd7!
This clever move is the point of Black’s little combination started on move 20! The idea is that 22.RxB allows 22…QxR! when there will be a nasty Rook check on h1!
22.Bf1!!
Winning atleast a piece and completely refuting Black’s concept started at move 20! The trapper has himself been caught in his own trap! Black could resign now , but played on a handful of moves before throwing in the towel. Retreating moves are the most difficult moves to anticipate over the board…
Mikhail Suba (born Romania 1947) is one of the most original players and profound thinkers in the game today. I have learned a LOT from Mikhail, consider him one of my teachers, and have the highest respect for his chess writing.
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gm Strikovic,A
Diaz Rodriguez,J (1900)
42nd La Roda Open 2015.4.1 Position before Black’s 19th move. Clearly there are some problems in White’s position, mostly of an organizational nature. But, given a couple of moves (Nc3 and Rad1), everything could be put right. For this reason, Black should strike while White is weakest…
BLACK TO PLAY AND WIN!
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