Puzzle no. 8

Imagine that you are in this difficult position: Black threatens to win your Queen and, if the Queen moves, mate on g2 is unavoidable

However it is White to move, can you find a brilliant way to force victory?

White to Move

Puzzle No. 7 Solution

 

 

White to Move

In the game White actually resigned in this position, however he had a winning move

1.Rd6

if 1…. Rxd6 then 2. g8=Q+ wins and if 1 …..cxd6 2. f7 and White is promoting to a Queen next move

Game of the Week

A confession, I haven’t watched much chess this week as I have been slightly under the weather for a few days.

So, for no good reason, other than not looking at any other games, I have chosen a game played by myself in the Thanet All Play All.

My opponent played the opening stage passively, and I quickly obtained an edge. His pieces were cramped and my attacking plan seemed obvious. However I played a couple of bad moves, including opposite side castling and the game looked to be favouring him. In turn he then missed a good move which allowed me to regain the advantage.

In no way a faultless display but quite exciting and hopefully instructional to see how both players managed to lose the thread having worked hard to achieve a better position

 White:  Mark Towlson       Black:  Trefor Owens

Thanet All Play All

Puzzle no. 7

This position shows that, with the White King stuck on d1, if Black had the move then Rc1 would win on the spot.

However it is White to move, can you find the move to turn the tables?

White to Move

Puzzle no. 6 solution

White to Play

Carlsen played Bd4+ and duly won, however much stronger was Rc8, with the idea that after Rxc8 then Bd4 is mate