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Title page
Key to Symbols
Preface
2
Chess Calculation Training for Kids and Club Players
Level 1: Checkmating
by
Romain Edouard
www.thinkerspublishing.com
3
Key to Symbols
! a good move
? a weak move
!! an excellent move
?? a blunder
!? an interesting move
?! a dubious move
™ only move
N novelty
‰ lead in development
ʘ zugzwang
= equality
∞ unclear position
© with compensation for the sacrificed material
² White stands slightly better
³ Black stands slightly better
± White has a serious advantage
µ Black has a serious advantage
+– White has a decisive advantage
–+ Black has a decisive advantage
‚ with an attack
ƒ with initiative
„ with counterplay
… with the idea of
¹ better is
≤ worse is
+ check
# mate
□ White to move
■ Black to move
4
Preface
I spent quite some time in recent years writing the Chess Calculation Training series, which was
aimed at experienced players. People were pleased with the format of the books and I also enjoyed
writing them, so I’ve decided to launch a series for kids and club players, with exercises of a more
modest level.
Most tactics and training books are good for boosting your calculation ability, but they do not teach
you how to calculate. This is the difference I want to make with my own books, by arranging the
exercises in different categories so that the thinking process more closely resembles the one we have
during a game.
Level 1 of my new series consists of learning how to checkmate your opponent. The first three
chapters consist of mostly standard tactical exercises, then things get harder. In Chapter 4, you have
to trap your opponent’s king; in Chapter 5, you have to win by eliminating your opponent’s key
defender; in Chapter 6, by using a decisive double threat and in Chapter 7, with an unexpected
winning sacrifice. Chapter 8 consists of a few other problems, each with brief instructions.
You should go through the book chapter by chapter. The complexity of the examples increases as you
progress, and covers the full thinking process you should have when trying to mate your opponent, or
when your opponent’s king looks exposed. As with all training, there is a warm-up, a tough phase, a
break, a relaxing phase, then another tough phase. Follow the order of the book to make sure that you
derive the maximum benefit from it, and are 100% ready for Level 2.
After you have completed all 276 exercises in the book you definitely won’t let your opponent’s king
escape when it shouldn’t. Reading it should pay off quickly in terms of results! And this is exactly
what I wish you.
5
Show in Text Mode
Chapter 1
Check & Mate
In all the positions in this chapter you have to find a mate in two, the first move being a check, and
the second, whatever the opponent replies, a checkmate!
If you take more than two moves to checkmate your opponent, you have failed to find the solution
and should think again!
1
Rosenthal, S. – Allies
□ 15.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
6
2
Berger, J. – Fröhlich
□ 10.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
3
Donisthorpe, W. – Mundell
7
□ 15.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
15.Qxe5+! dxe5
15...fxe5 16.Bg5#
16.Bc5#
4
Nimzowitsch, S. – Neumann
8
□ 16.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
5
Tartakower, S. – Reti, R.
9
□ 35.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
35.Rxb6+! Rxb6
35...Ka7 36.Qxb7#
36.Qa8#
6
Alekhine, A. – Vasic
10
□ 10.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
10.Qxe6+! fxe6
10...Qe7 11.Qxe7#
11.Bg6#
7
Kholmov, R. – Klavin, J.
11
□ 20.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
8
Nezhmetdinov, R. – Kotkov, Y.
12
□ 25.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
25.Re8+! Qxe8
25...Bxe8 26.Qg8#
26.Qxf6#
9
Kuzmin, A. – Vladimirov, Y.
13
□ 32.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
10
Ivanchuk, V. – Ivanovic, B.
14
□ 53.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
53.f5+! Kf6
53...Kh6 54.Bf8#
54.Bd4#
11
Adams, M. – Comas Fabrego, L.
15
□ 28.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
12
Wang Zili – Steingrimsson, H.
16
□ 29.? +–
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13
Shamkovich, L. – Trubman, A.
17
□ 23.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
14
Ofek, R. – Kaidanov, G.
18
■ 32...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
32...Qxf2+! 33.Rxf2
33.Kh1 Qxf1#
33...Re1#
15
Christiansen, L. – Nunn, J.
19
□ 36.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
16
Serper, G. – Shirov, A.
20
□ 27.? +–
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27.Qxe6+! Rxe6
27...Kh8 28.Qxe8#
28.Rf8#
17
Iosif, C. – Skripchenko, A.
21
■ 24...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
18
McShane, L. – Leech, A.
22
□ 39.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
39.Nf4+! exf4
39...Ke7 40.Qd8#
40.Re1#
19
Virostko, P. – Aronian, L.
23
■ 62...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
20
Topalov, V. – Kasparov, G.
24
■ 47...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
47...Rxf1+! 48.Kxf1
48.Kh2 Qh1#
48...Qh1#
21
Lagno, K. – Shepeleva, S.
25
□ 36.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
36.Qxh6+! Kxh6
36...Kg8 37.Qh8#
37.Rh3#
22
Carlsen, M. – Gretarsson, H.
26
□ 32.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
32.Bg6+! Kxg6
32...Rxg6 33.Qe7#
33.Qh5#
23
Hammer, J. – Carlsen, M.
27
■ 17...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
24
Kalinina, M. – Muzychuk, M.
28
■ 27...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
27...Bxf3+!
29
Show in Text Mode
25
Radziewicz, I. – Bader, K.
□ 19.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
26
Petrosian, T. – Minasian, A.
30
□ 29.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
27
Khademalsharieh, S. – Menzi, N.
31
□ 35.? +–
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28
Inarkiev, E. – Andriasian, Z.
32
□ 42.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
29
Bagheri, M. – Ghaem Maghami, E.
33
■ 25...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
30
Bluebaum, M. – Belezky, A.
34
□ 28.? +–
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31
Aeschbach, P. – Patuzzo, F.
35
□ 45.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
32
Carlsen, M. – Karjakin, S.
36
□ 50.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
50.Qh6+!
1-0 Carlsen, M (2853) – Karjakin, S (2772), New York 2016. With this brilliant move Magnus
Carlsen became World Champion for the second time. Both recaptures lead to mate: 50...gxh6
[50...Kxh6 51.Rh8#] 51.Rxf7#.
33
Sadzikowski, D. – Mista, A.
37
□ 45.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
45.Qxf8+! Kxf8
45...Kh7 46.Qg7#
46.Rc8#
34
Abergel, T. – Vernay, C.
38
□ 30.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
35
Kuzubov, Y. – Esipenko, A.
39
□ 87.? +–
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36
Zatonskih, A. – Sutovsky, E.
40
■ 28...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
28...Bh2+! 29.Nxh2
29.Kh1 Bxf3#
29...Qg2#
37
Peng, Z. – Repkova, E.
41
□ 28.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
38
Andrzejewska, A. – Brunello, S.
42
■ 29...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
39
McShane, L. – Anand, V.
43
■ 51...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
40
Sethuraman, S. – Naiditsch, A.
44
□ 33.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
41
Gunina, V. – Sebag, M.
45
□ 30.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
42
Durarbayli, V. – Smith, D.
46
□ 28.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
43
Charmeteau, S. – Cornette, M.
47
■ 30...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
44
O’Connor, J. – O’Donnell, C.
48
■ 31...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
45
Escobar Forero, A. – Dominguez Perez, L.
49
■ 39...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
39...Qh6+! 40.Qxh6
A) 40.Kg1 Qh2#
B) 40.Qh3 Rxf1#
40...Rxf1#
0-1 Escobar Forero, A (2504) – Dominguez Perez, L (2763), Khanty-Mansiysk 2019. With this little
combination, Dominguez qualified for the next round of the World Cup.
46
Nakamura, H. – Aronian, L.
50
■ 40...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
40...b5+! 41.cxb6
41.Kb4 dxc5#
41...Qb5#
47
Coca, C. – Iordachescu, V.
51
□ 29.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
48
Bengtsson, S. – Benmesbah, N.
52
■ 20...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
53
Show in Text Mode
Chapter 2
Check, Check & Mate
Same principle as in the previous chapter, but this time the mates consist of three-move variations.
You should start with a check, followed by another check, whatever the opponent plays. The third
move is checkmate.
Again, if you find a mate, but your road is longer than three moves, you must have another attempt at
finding the solution.
1
Morphy, P. – Worrall, T.
□ 20.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
54
2
Steinitz, W. – Wilson, J.
□ 18.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
3
Paulsen, L. – Bollen, C.
55
□ 32.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
32.Rxa6+! bxa6
32...Kb8 33.Ra8#
4
Jackson, E. – Marshall, F.
56
■ 30...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
30...Rf4+!!
0-1 Jackson, E – Marshall, F, London 1899. White resigned as he gets mated after
31.Bxf4
31.gxf4 Bf2#
5
Reti, R. – Tartakower, S.
57
□ 9.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
6
Portela, C. – Nogues Acuna, A.
58
□ 26.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
7
Wagner, H. – Brinckmann, A.
59
□ 43.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
44...Kg8 45.Rh8#
45.Rh6#
8
Weenink, H. – Kmoch, H.
60
□ 21.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
21.Bh5+! Kxg5
21...Kh7 22.g6#
9
Kirillov, V. – Kan, I.
61
■ 68...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
10
Addicks, J. – Gudju, I.
62
□ 14.? +–
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15...Kf6 16.Qe6#
16.Qe6#
11
Keres, P. – Verbac
63
□ 14.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
12
Yanofsky, D. – Anderson, F.
64
■ 35...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
13
Korchnoi, V. – Polugaevsky, L.
65
□ 34.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
34.Rxg6+! Kh7
14
Durao, J. – Catozzi, H.
66
□ 43.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
15
Meo, S. – Giustolisi, A.
67
■ 24...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
16
Togonidze, M. – Bilek, E.
68
□ 28.? +–
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17
Kavalek, L. – Kanko, I.
69
□ 35.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
36...Bg7 37.Rh3#
37.Rh3#
18
Kavalek, L. – Marovic, D.
70
□ 35.? +–
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35.Qxf7+! Rxf7
35...Kh8 36.Qxh7#
19
Belov, L. – Osachuk, A.
71
□ 33.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
33.Qf8+! Kxf8
33...Kg6 34.Qh6#
20
Spassky, B. – Korchnoi, V.
72
□ 35.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
35.Qh6+! Kg8
21
Smyslov, V. – Dominguez Sanz, J.
73
□ 29.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
22
Geller, E. – Garcia, G.
74
■ 22...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
23
Braga, F. – Portisch, L.
75
■ 35...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
24
Ivanov, I. – Hartman, B.
76
□ 34.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
25
Verdihanov, V. – Savon, V.
77
■ 24...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
26
Polgar, J. – Chilingirova, P.
78
□ 17.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
79
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27
Sveshnikov, E. – Shcherbakov, R.
□ 24.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
28
Topalov, V. – Ubilava, E.
80
□ 21.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
21.Nf5+!
Precision! In the game White played 21.g5 which is also strong, and Black resigned. 1-0 Topalov, V
(2460) – Ubilava, E (2560), Palma de Mallorca 1992.
21...Kf6
22.g5+ Ke6
22...Kxg5 23.Qh4#
23.Rxd6#
29
Yudasin, L. – Lalic, S.
81
□ 32.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
30
Roiz, M. – Aronov, V.
82
□ 40.? +–
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31
Topalov, V. – Reinderman, D.
83
□ 58.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
32
Shirov, A. – Grischuk, A.
84
□ 32.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
32.Rxh7+!
33
Carlsen, M. – Daly, C.
85
□ 28.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
34
Carlsen, M. – Harestad, H.
86
□ 36.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
36.Qxg5+! fxg5
A) 36...Kh8 37.Nf7#
B) 36...Kf8 37.Qg8#
37.Rf7+ Kxh6
37...Kh8 38.Rxh7#
38.Rxh7#
35
Aronian, L. – Grischuk, A.
87
□ 41.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
36
Mamedjarova, Z. – Daulyte, D.
88
□ 46.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
46.Ne6+! fxe6
37
Bok, B. – Bluvshtein, M.
89
□ 32.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
38
Milos, G. – Carlsson, P.
90
■ 25...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
39
Lyall, S. – Zhang, L.
91
■ 23...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
25.Bc2 Qxb2#
25...Ba3#
40
Antipov, M. – Van Foreest, J.
92
□ 25.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
41
Yuffa, D. – Riazantsev, A.
93
□ 33.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
42
Bauer, C. – Svane, R.
94
□ 44.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
44.Qh6+! Kf6
43
Carlsen, M. – Nepomniachtchi, I.
95
□ 34.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
34.Qxf7+!
We have seen this pattern already: if 34...Rxf7 then 35.Rd8+ and mate to follow. 1-0 Carlsen, M
(2832) – Nepomniachtchi, I (2732), Leuven 2017.
44
Alonso Rosell, A. – Fedorchuk, S.
96
■ 80...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
45
Ushenina, A. – Matnadze, A.
97
■ 30...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
46
Brunello, S. – Valsecchi, A.
98
■ 34...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
47
Haussernot, C. – Guichard, P.
99
□ 44.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
48
Kovalenko, I. – Sakaev, K.
100
□ 33.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
49
Chongstitwattana, C. – Asavasaetakul, C.
101
□ 24.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
50
Agrest, I. – Hammer, J.
102
■ 25...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
51
Artemiev, V. – Hracek, Z.
103
□ 29.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
52
Stijve, T. – Giesinger, E.
104
□ 33.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
34.Rxf8+ wins but doesn’t give mate: 34...Kg7 35.Nxe6+ Kg6 36.Rf6+ Kh5 37.Ng7+ 1-0 Stijve, T
(2336) – Giesinger, E (2132), Leukerbad 2019.
34...Bg7
A) 34...d4 35.Rxf8#
B) 34...Kg8 35.Rxf8#
35.Rf8#
105
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Chapter 3
A Few Checks & Mate
Again we increase the difficulty of the problems. This chapter also consists of finding a series of
checks followed by mate – but this time the variations last from four up to seven moves!
A little circle is provided to give you a hint if needed, indicating a number from (4) (mate in four) to
(7) (mate in seven). The exercises are ordered randomly. Bear in mind that the length of the mating
variations does not necessarily reflect the difficulty of the problems.
Remember that all attacking moves until you deliver mate are checks, so your opponent’s moves are
often forced.
1
Tarrasch, S. – von Scheve, T.
□ 31.? +–
(5)
Show/Hide Solution
106
31.Qxh6+! Kxh6 32.Rh2+ Bh5 33.Rxh5+ Kg6 34.Rg5+ Kh6 35.Rh3#
2
Richardson – Delmar, E.
□ 12.? +–
(4)
Show/Hide Solution
3
Blake, J. – Hook, W.
107
□ 8.? +–
(5)
Show/Hide Solution
9...gxf6 10.Nd5#
4
Keres, P. – Pomar Salamanca, A.
108
□ 23.? +–
(4)
Show/Hide Solution
23.Rd8+! Qxd8
25...Kb4 26.Qe4#
26.Qe4#
5
Furman, S. – Ratner, B.
109
□ 36.? +–
(4)
Show/Hide Solution
37...Nd7
37...Qxg7 38.Bxd6#
6
Juarez, C. – Sanguineti, R.
110
□ 25.? +–
(4)
Show/Hide Solution
7
Tolush, A. – Stoltz, G.
111
□ 42.? +–
(4)
Show/Hide Solution
8
Nezhmetdinov, R. – Kasparian, G.
112
□ 41.? +–
(7)
Show/Hide Solution
41.Qxg6+! Kxg6 42.R1f6+ Kg5 43.Rf5+ Kg6 44.R7f6+ Kh7 45.Rh5+ Kg7 46.Rg5+ Kh7 47.Bf5#
9
Ferrantes, G. – Giustolisi, A.
113
■ 42...? –+
(4)
Show/Hide Solution
10
Hector, J. – Lind, J.
114
□ 31.? +–
(4)
Show/Hide Solution
31.Rf8+!
1-0 Hector, J (2295) – Lind, J (2295), Uppsala 1985. Black resigned in view of 31...Qxf8 32.Qxe5+
Qg7 33.Qe8+ Qg8 34.Qxg8#.
11
Skuya, R. – Rosenberg, A.
115
□ 1.? +–
(4)
Show/Hide Solution
12
Olafsson, F. – Kinzel, A.
116
□ 31.? +–
(6)
Show/Hide Solution
31.h4+! Kxh4
31...Kf5 32.Qg4#
32.Qf2+
13
Corden, M. – NN
117
□ 15.? +–
(5)
Show/Hide Solution
14
Soltis, A. – Botterill, G.
118
□ 22.? +–
(5)
Show/Hide Solution
24.Rh1+ Qh3
15
Vladimirov, Y. – Kharitonov, A.
119
□ 32.? +–
(4)
Show/Hide Solution
16
Vykydal, F. – Nemec, T.
120
□ 22.? +–
(4)
Show/Hide Solution
17
Nunn, J. – Fox, T.
121
□ 17.? +–
(4)
Show/Hide Solution
18
Sandrin, A. – Dragun, N.
122
□ 29.? +–
(5)
Show/Hide Solution
29.Qxg6+! fxg6
19
Yusupov, A. – Yudasin, L.
123
□ 34.? +–
(6)
Show/Hide Solution
34.Rxg7+!
20
Petkovic, R. – Terentiev
124
□ 28.? +–
(4)
Show/Hide Solution
28.Re7+!
1-0 Petkovic, R – Terentiev, Riga 1981. Black resigned in view of the coming mate:
29...Ke6 30.Bg4#
125
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21
Waitzkin, J. – Frumkin, E.
□ 26.? +–
(7)
Show/Hide Solution
28.Rg3+ Kh6
126
22
Graf, A. – Kunte, A.
□ 43.? +–
(4)
Show/Hide Solution
43.g6+! Kxg6
43...fxg6 44.Ng5#
44.Nxe7+ Kh7
23
Moser, E. – Jurkiewicz, K.
127
□ 29.? +–
(5)
Show/Hide Solution
24
Milovanovic, D. – Krush, I.
128
■ 30...? –+
(4)
Show/Hide Solution
25
Denker – Klein
129
□ 28.? +–
(4)
Show/Hide Solution
26
Friedel, J. – Chow, A.
130
□ 25.? +–
(5)
Show/Hide Solution
25.Re8+ Kg7
27
Donchenko, A. – Bauer, C.
131
■ 34...? –+
(5)
Show/Hide Solution
And ...Qd3# will follow soon. 0-1 Donchenko, A (2498) – Bauer, C (2628), Metz 2014.
28
Saric, I. – Vachier-Lagrave, M.
132
■ 32...? –+
(4)
Show/Hide Solution
32...Qa2+! 33.Kxa2
29
Krupenski, Y. – Gelfand, B.
133
□ 27.? +–
(4)
Show/Hide Solution
30
Ivanchuk, V. – Matlakov, M.
134
□ 56.? +–
(4)
Show/Hide Solution
31
Admiraal, M. – Vedder, H.
135
□ 39.? +–
(4)
Show/Hide Solution
32
Kazarian, A. – Limanovska, E.
136
□ 32.? +–
(6)
Show/Hide Solution
32.Qxh7+! Kxh7 33.Rh3+ Kg6 34.Rh6+ Kg5 35.h4+ Kg4 36.Ne3+ Kg3 37.Rf3#
33
Huang, R. – Ganguly, S.
137
■ 37...? –+
(4)
Show/Hide Solution
37...f2+! 38.Rxf2
38.Kh2 Qxh4#
34
Petrosian, T. – Martirosyan, H.
138
■ 46...? –+
(6)
Show/Hide Solution
46...Rh3+! 47.gxh3 Qf3+ 48.Kh2 Qxh3+ 49.Kg1 c1=Q+ 50.Qxc1 Rxc1+ 51.Re1 Rxe1#
35
Saric, I. – Charbonneau, P.
139
□ 25.? +–
(6)
Show/Hide Solution
25.Qxg6+!
25...Kf8 26.Qh6+ Kg8 27.Rg3+ Bg4 28.Rxg4+ Bg5 29.Rxg5+ Rg7 30.Qxg7#
36
Ivic, V. – Cabarkapa, N.
140
□ 33.? +–
(6)
Show/Hide Solution
35.g7+ Kh7
37
Cornette, D. – Smith, A.
141
□ 22.? +–
(4)
Show/Hide Solution
38
Cuenca Jimenez, J. – Cori, J.
142
■ 34...? –+
(7)
Show/Hide Solution
34...Rc3+! 35.Kxb4 Qxb2+ 36.Ka5 Qa3+ 37.Kb6 Qc5+ 38.Ka6 Ra3+ 39.Kb7 Ra7+ 40.Kb8 Qc7#
39
Guseinov, G. – Mammadova, G.
143
□ 33.? +–
(5)
Show/Hide Solution
33.d7+!
33...Rxd7
40
Kulaots, K. – Lagarde, M.
144
■ 40...? –+
(7)
Show/Hide Solution
145
Show in Text Mode
Chapter 4
Trap Your Opponent’s King
In this chapter you have to foresee a mating idea which involves trapping your opponent’s king.
In some of the examples you will be able to find a forced mate, the main difference from the previous
chapters being that the first move isn’t always a check.
In the rest of the examples the mating net will only help you win material, your opponent being
forced to surrender a piece (or more) not to get checkmated.
Beware – the winning move can consist of moving a piece to a quite unnatural square, for example
offering your opponent material as a poisoned gift!
1
Schlechter, C. – Mason, J.
□ 37.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
146
37.f5! Ne7
38.Bh5+!
Black resigned, for if he captures the bishop he gets mated on f8. 1-0 Schlechter, C – Mason, J,
London 1899.
2
Evans, L. – Bisguier, A.
□ 27.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
27.Bc6!
27...Qxa3 28.Rxe8#
147
3
Aitken, J. – Payne, R.
□ 30.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
30.Qh6! Qxf6
30...Bxf6 31.Qf8#
4
Torre, E. – Craske, N.
148
□ 26.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
5
Karpov, A. – Mecking Da Costa, H.
149
□ 34.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
34.Rg7!+–
Trapping the black king on f4, so that Rf3# becomes inevitable. 1-0 Karpov, A (2540) – Mecking Da
Costa, H (2540), Hastings 1971.
6
Dorfman, I. – Romanishin, O.
150
■ 13...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
13...Bxf3+!!–+
White resigned as after 14.Bxf3 Be5 his king is trapped on h1 and ...Qxh2# is unavoidable. 0-1
Dorfman, I – Romanishin, O (2595), Cienfuegos 1977.
7
Gruenfeld, Y. – Partos, C.
151
□ 46.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
46.Rh7!+–
Pinning the g7-bishop, so that Rf8# becomes a deadly threat. If 46...d3+, just 47.Kf3.
1-0 Gruenfeld, Y (2515) – Partos, C (2425), Biel 1981.
8
Andruet, G. – Spassky, B.
152
■ 28...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
28...Qf3!!–+
White resigned as mate is inevitable: 29.gxf3 Nexf3+ 30.Kh1 Bh3! and ...Bg2# can’t be prevented.
0-1 Andruet, G (2450) – Spassky, B (2565), Germany 1988.
9
Anand, V. – Donguines, F.
153
□ 34.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
The black king is trapped and Rd4# is coming. 1-0 Anand, V (2515) – Donguines, F, Malaysia 1989.
10
Kotronias, V. – King, D.
154
□ 26.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
26.Qh6!+–
Black resigned, for if he takes the queen to avoid Qxg7#, he is mated by Nxh6#. 1-0 Kotronias, V
(2510) – King, D (2560), New York 1990.
11
Gelashvili, T. – Antoniou, A.
155
□ 39.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
39.e7+!+–
1-0 Gelashvili, T (2531) – Antoniou, A (2232), Chania 1999. Black resigned in view of 39...Nxe7
40.Rd8#.
12
Fedorchuk, S. – Meister, J.
156
□ 27.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
And mate on h8 can be delayed (...Bh6, ...Qg1+) but will happen! 1-0 Fedorchuk, S (2480) – Meister,
J (2473), Alushta 2001.
13
Carlsen, M. – Bluvshtein, M.
157
■ 76...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
76...Rh8!
The white king is trapped on the h-file! A dream opportunity to try to deliver mate.
77.Qe5 Kg8+–+
14
Karpov, A. – Shirov, A.
158
□ 30.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
30.Bb5!
Adding decisive pressure on the d7-bishop, while the black king is still trapped on e8.
30...Bxb5 31.Rd8#
15
Carlsen, M. – Shirov, A.
159
□ 62.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
62.Kg3!
Black cannot prevent Bg6+ followed by f4+ (or h4+) and h4# (or f4#).
62...Ra5 63.Bg6++–
16
Gelfand, B. – Wang, H.
160
□ 56.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
56.Kf7!+–
An unusual way to trap the opponent’s king. Mate on the h-file is coming!
1-0 Gelfand, B (2738) – Wang, H (2742), London 2012.
161
Show in Text Mode
17
Valdimarsson, E. – Grandelius, N.
□ 45.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
47.Ng6+
1-0 Valdimarsson, E (2029) – Grandelius, N (2646), Reykjavik 2016. Black resigned in view of
47...Kf5 48.g4#.
18
Ivanyuhin, V. – Vanheirzeele, D.
162
■ 16...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
16...Qh4!–+
19
Dreev, A. – Yilmaz, M.
163
□ 41.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
41.Nb8!
Black resigned as preventing 42.Rd7# will cost him at least a full rook: 41...Kd5 42.Rd7+ Rd6
43.Rd2++–. 1-0 Dreev, A (2662) – Yilmaz, M (2603), Gjakova 2016.
20
Peralta, F. – Bachmann, A.
164
■ 31...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
21
Moradiabadi, E. – Mulyar, M.
165
□ 28.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
28.Qh6!+–
Mate on h7 is avoidable, either by Qxh7, or Rxh7 if Black accepts the gift on h6. 1-0 Moradiabadi, E
(2595) – Mulyar, M (2388), USA 2016.
22
Rakhmanov, A. – Ponkratov, P.
166
□ 18.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
18.Qh5!+–
23
Tregubov, P. – Moiseenko, A.
167
■ 22...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
22...Qh3!–+
0-1 Tregubov, P (2585) – Moiseenko, A (2657), Doha 2016. White resigned in view of 23.gxh3 Rg6+
24.Qg4 fxg4 and the d5-rook is hanging while ...gxh3+ is threatened.
24
Ulibin, M. – Mesman, E.
168
□ 29.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
29.Qf6!
Trapping the black king once and for all. Rh8# becomes inevitable.
29...Bf8 30.Rh8#
25
Howell, D. – Moore, G.
169
□ 108.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
108.Rf7!+–
The black king is trapped and preventing Rh7# will cost Black his queen, so he resigned.
1-0 Howell, D (2702) – Moore, G (2155), Llandudno 2017.
26
Carlsen, M. – Grover, S.
170
□ 35.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
35.Rg8!+–
Trapping the black king on h6, where it is likely to get mated by a pawn on g5.
1-0 Carlsen, M (2834) – Grover, S (2484), chess.com 2018.
27
Urkedal, F. – Toma, K.
171
□ 21.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
21.Rh8+!
21...Bxh8 22.Qh4+–
Now Black’s king is really trapped. Black resigned in view of 22...Kg7 [22...Rfd8 23.Qh7+ Kf8
24.Qxh8#] 23.Be5+ f6 24.Qh7#.
1-0 Urkedal, F (2563) – Toma, K (2280), Fagernes 2018.
28
Libiszewski, F. – Vallejo Pons, F.
172
■ 39...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
39...Nf2!
(∆...Rh3#)
40.Rd4+ Kc8
29
Javakhishvili, L. – Guichard, P.
173
□ 35.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
Not 36.Rxg5+? Kf8 37.Rh1 Ke8 and Black escapes the mate, although she’s still lost after 38.Rh8+
Kd7 39.Rxa8.
After 36.Rh1! Black resigned as White has the decisive threat of Rxg5+ followed by Rh8#. 1-0
Javakhishvili, L (2459) – Guichard, P (2430), Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy 2019.
30
Malakhov, V. – Efimov, I.
174
□ 21.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
21.Qh5!+–
Black resigned due to the unavoidable mate on h7 with Qxh7# or Bxh7# (including ...Nf6 Bxf6
doesn’t help).
1-0 Malakhov, V (2660) – Efimov, I (2439), Brest 2019.
31
Hou Yifan – Nihal, S.
175
■ 45...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
47.Bb6™ 47...Bh2!
Threatening ...Bg3#.
48.Bf2 Bxf4–+
32
Dubov, D. – Svane, R.
176
□ 36.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
36.Bb3!!
Threatening Qa4#.
36...Bd7
177
Show in Text Mode
Chapter 5
Hit the Defender
In this chapter you should hit, chase or deflect a piece that is playing a major role in your opponent
holding the game.
By deflecting that piece, which we call the ‘defender’, from where it stands, you will either deliver
mate or win material.
In some examples, your opponent has several ‘defenders’ that are all necessary for him not to lose the
game. Your first move will force one of these defenders to abandon its duties, leading to a forced
mate or the win of a decisive amount of material.
1
Reiner – Steinitz, W.
■ 16...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
178
16...Qh4!
17.Rg2
17.Rxh4 Rg1#
17...Qxh2+!
18.Rxh2 Rg1#
2
Alekhine, A. – Evenson, A.
□ 14.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
14.Qxc6+! Bd7
179
14...bxc6 15.Rd8#
15.Qxb7+–
3
Maroczy, G. – Vidmar, M.
□ 17.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
17.Re7!!
After this move the black queen won’t be able to defend against both Qd5 and Qf7.
17...Qxe7
17...Bxe7 18.Qf7#
18.Qd5+
180
4
Koch, W. – Stueber, E.
□ 22.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
22.Nd8! Qxd5
22...Rxg2+ was just an attempt to stir up trouble: 23.Kh1! Rg1+ 24.Kxg1 Qg6+ 25.Rg3 1-0 Koch, W
– Stueber, E, Berlin 1930.
5
Keres, P. – Petrosian, T.
181
■ 51...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
51...Qxf4+!–+
6
Wiler – Hell
182
■ 1...? –+
A hard example!
Show/Hide Solution
1...Rc1+!
White has to choose which defender should be deflected: the rook (defending the white queen) or the
queen (defending the second rank). Logically, he decided not to give away material so soon.
2.Qxc1
2.Rxc1 Qxd2–+
2...Rxa3+!
Quite an unexpected blow! You will see lots in our next chapter!
3.Kb1
3.bxa3 Qa2#
3...Ra1+!
183
4.Kxa1 Qa8+ 5.Kb1 Qa2#
7
Giorgadze, T. – Faibisovich, V.
■ 63...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
63...Rf3!!–+
A stunning winning move, threatening ...Ng2#. Capturing the rook with the bishop also leads to mate
in one with ...Nxf3#.
Black missed this shot in the game and after 63...Rc3 the game was drawn. ½-½ Giorgadze, T –
Faibisovich, V, Odessa 1968.
8
Vaganian, R. – Planinec, A.
184
■ 22...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
22...Qc7+!
23.Qxc7 Nb3#
9
Tarjan, J. – Karpov, A.
185
■ 39...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
Deflecting the f2-pawn. White resigned due to the mating pattern on g3 after 41.g3 Rxg3+–+.
0-1 Tarjan, J (2490) – Karpov, A (2695), Skopje 1976.
10
Kasparov, G. – Kaiumov, D.
186
□ 35.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
11
Keene, R. – Van Baarle, J.
187
□ 35.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
35.Rf6!+–
Cutting out the black bishop’s defence, so that Qh8# or Nxf6# is next.
1-0 Keene, R (2460) – Van Baarle, J (2340), West Berlin 1980.
12
Zatulovskaya, T. – Skegina, K.
188
□ 29.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
29.Re8+! Rxe8
29...Bf8 30.Qxc3+–
13
Kuhn, D. – Kauschmann, H.
189
□ 39.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
39.Qxe6!
Deflecting the queen from f7 at any price! Black resigned in view of 39...Qxe6 [39...Rf8 40.Qxf7
Rxf7 41.d7 Rxd7 42.f7++–] 40.f7++–. 1-0 Kuehn, D – Kauschmann, H, Germany 1986.
14
Polgar, S. – Gocheva, R.
190
□ 36.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
36.Qxf6+!+–
15
Weinrich, K. – Chuchelov, V.
191
□ 1.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
Black is unable to defend against Qh8+ because his f7-pawn is pinned. 1-0 Weinrich, K – Chuchelov,
V, Poland 1991.
16
Anand, V. – Timman, J.
192
□ 28.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
28.Bxf4+!
With this move, we do not eliminate the f4-defender, but the one on e5. If Black captures the bishop,
White’s queen gets to f6. Seeing his position collapse, Black just resigned. 1-0 Anand, V (2635) –
Timman, J (2630), Linares 1991.
17
Atalik, S. – Cela, A.
193
□ 27.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
27.Bd8!+–
18
Kamsky, G. – Karpov, A.
194
■ 29...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
19
Nakamura, H. – Yee, K.
195
□ 17.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
17.Nce4! Nxe4
Otherwise Nxf6.
18.Qxh7#
20
Mamedyarov, S. – Babaev, R.
196
□ 28.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
28.Qxd4!
28...exd4 29.Rf8+!
197
Show in Text Mode
21
Romanko Guseva, M. – Nazarova, A.
□ 30.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
30.Ng4!
Removing the f6-knight which was the only obstacle to Qh7#. 1-0 Romanko Guseva, M (2261) –
Nazarova, A (2303), Nojabrsk 2005.
22
De Jonghe, B. – Renette, H.
198
■ 31...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
And mate follows. 0-1 De Jonghe, B (2232) – Renette, H (2241), Belgium 2007.
23
Bjerke, S. – Freitag, M.
199
■ 37...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
24
Chkhikvishvili, M. – Javakhadze, Z.
200
■ 9...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
9...Nd4! 10.hxg4
10.Nxd4? Qh2#
10...Nxe2+–+
25
Jackson, J. – Okike, D.
201
■ 36...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
26
Grandelius, N. – Giri, A.
202
■ 40...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
27
Efimenko, Z. – Krasenkow, M.
203
□ 29.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
28
Yip, C. – Foisor, S.
204
■ 59...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
59...Qb5+! 60.Qxb5
60.g5 Qxe8+–+
60...g6#
Quite a disillusionment! 0-1 Yip, C (2311) – Foisor, S (2369), Saint Louis 2017.
29
Kovchan, A. – Korobov, A.
205
□ 37.? +–
Note that White has a forced mate in the position, so try to find more than just the first move!
Show/Hide Solution
37.Qxh6+!+–
30
Di Nicolantonio, L. – Harutyunian, T.
206
■ 25...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
25...Re2!
Cutting the connection between the white queen and the f2-square.
26.Qxe2
26.Bxe2 Nf2#
31
Lagarde, M. – Enchev, I.
207
□ 29.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
Interrupting the connection between the black defenders. Black won’t be able to hold the dark squares
any longer and White will soon capture on f6 or give mate on g7. 1-0 Lagarde, M (2610) – Enchev, I
(2486), Cappelle la Grande 2019.
32
Demchenko, A. – Gukesh, D.
208
■ 46...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
46...Qxf5+! 47.Kh2
47.Rxf5 Qh1#
47...Qc2+–+
With mate to follow. 0-1 Demchenko, A (2678) – Gukesh, D (2529), Ho Chi Minh City 2019.
33
Ivic, V. – Gledura, B.
209
■ 38...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
38...Rxe2! 39.Qd1
39...Qf6!?
40.Rf3 Re1+!
34
Anand, V. – Dubov, D.
210
■ 23...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
The white queen can’t defend against ...Qxg2# anymore. 0-1 Anand, V (2757) – Dubov, D (2722),
Paris 2019.
35
Del Rio De Angelis, S. – Kumar, N.
211
□ 30.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
30.Nd8+!
Cutting the connection between the black rooks. If Black moves his king, then Rxf8#.
1-0 Del Rio de Angelis, S (2488) – Kumar, N (2158), Barcelona 2019.
36
Skripchenko, A. – Cibickova, Z.
212
□ 43.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
43.Bf8!+–
Black is unable to keep both defenders of her king and will soon get mated. Capturing on e5 with
check will not help either after White plays f2−f4, so Black resigned.
1-0 Skripchenko, A (2403) – Cibickova, Z (2258), Batumi 2019.
37
Topalov, V. – Naiditsch, A.
213
□ 27.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
27.Qf6+!!+–
Forcing the black queen off the eighth rank. 1-0 Topalov, V (2788) – Naiditsch, A (2612), Dortmund
2005.
Black resigned in view of 27...Qxf6 28.Re8+ Qf8 29.Rxf8#.
38
Lopez Martinez, J. – Romanov, E.
214
■ 39...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
39...Ne2+!–+
0-1 Lopez Martinez, J (2552) – Romanov, E (2622), Sitges 2016. White resigned in view of 40.Rxe2
Rb1+ and the white rook no longer defends the first rank!
39
Topalov, V. – Anand, V.
215
■ 34...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
34...Rxf3+!–+
Deflecting the queen from c6, where it is defending against ...Qa4#, so White resigned. 0-1 Topalov,
V (2760) – Anand, V (2779), London 2016.
40
Amonatov, F. – Artemiev, V.
216
□ 37.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
37.Rxd4!+–
217
Show in Text Mode
Chapter 6
A Nasty Double Threat
In this chapter you can’t force mate, but can win the game with a nasty double threat.
Starting with a clever move, you can threaten to win the game in two different ways, one being to win
material, the other being to checkmate.
Your opponent won’t be able to handle both threats and will have to surrender a decisive amount of
material if he wants to avoid the mating threat.
1
Von Popiel, I. – Marco, G.
■ 36...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
A famous story sits behind this game. In Von Popiel, I – Marco, G, Monte Carlo 1902, Black
resigned (1-0), thinking that he was losing a piece. Instead he could have won using the ‘double
218
attack’ principle.
36...Bg1!–+
Threatening ...Qxh2#, to avoid which White will have to lose material on the d-file.
2
Rodzinski – Alekhine, A.
■ 14...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
3
Heemsoth, H. – Heissenbuettel
219
□ 1.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
4
Lengyel, L. – Sliwa, B.
220
□ 25.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
25.Rd5!!
Defending against ...Qg2#, attacking the f1-bishop... and with a hidden mating threat!
25.Kxf1? Qh1+ 26.Ke2 Qe4+ and Black wins the e7-knight, as White can’t cover the check with Re3
due to his hanging queen.
25.Rd5!! Bh3
5
Jansen, I. – Asenova, V.
221
■ 19...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
19...Rac8!
Threatening a back rank mate, while the white rook on b4 is suddenly hanging.
0-1 Jansen, I – Asenova, V, Lublin 1969.
6
Tal, M. – Averkin, O.
222
□ 70.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
70.Nd5!
Attacking the black rook while threatening 71.Ne7#. 1-0 Tal, M (2660) – Averkin, O (2460),
Moscow 1973.
7
Garcia, S. – Pigusov, E.
223
■ 19...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
19...Nde5! 20.Qxe7
20.fxe5 Qxc7–+
8
Nikolic, P. – Topalov, V.
224
■ 22...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
22...Ne5!–+
Attacking the white queen while threatening ...Qxh3#. 0-1 Nikolic, P (2655) – Topalov, V (2725),
Linares 1997.
9
Gaasland, G. – Carlsen, M.
225
■ 23...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
A) 25.Bxe3 Qxc4+–+
B) 25.Qxe6 Rd1#
25...Qc4+!
Strongest! This could have gone into Chapter 5, Eliminate/Deflect the Defender.
26.Qxc4
26.Kb1 Rd1+–+
26...Rd1#
10
Granda Zuniga, J. – Demuth, A.
226
□ 22.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
22.Qb4!+–
Attacking the b7-bishop while threatening 23.Qf8#. 1-0 Granda Zuniga, J (2652) – Demuth, A
(2531), Andorra 2015.
11
Jones, G. – Cox, J.
227
□ 45.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
45.Rd6!+–
12
Sarakauskas, G. – Howell, D.
228
■ 32...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
32...Nc3!
Attacking the white rook while threatening ...Bd5+, with mate to follow.
33.bxc3
33.Kf3 Nxe2 34.Bxe2 Rxb2–+ 0-1 Sarakauskas, G (2415) – Howell, D (2693), England 2016.
13
Salomon, J. – Vachier-Lagrave, M.
229
■ 25...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
25...Bxb3!–+
14
Ivic, V. – Lagarde, M.
230
□ 27.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
27.Bc5! Rxh8
28.Bxe7+–
15
Hracek, Z. – Mamedov, R.
231
□ 30.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
30.Ng4!+–
Attacking the black queen and threatening Nh6+ followed by Qh8#. Black cannot prevent both
threats efficiently.
1-0 Hracek, Z (2578) – Mamedov, R (2701), Skopje 2019.
16
Gueci, T. – Navrotescu, A.
232
■ 32...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
32...Nb3!
233
Show in Text Mode
Chapter 7
An Unexpected Blow
In this chapter, you have to find an unexpected sacrifice that wins the game.
In each example, the decisive ‘blow’ leads to a win of material or a forced mate.
A common point to all the examples: your opponent’s king is always the main target of the winning
combination!
1
Steinitz, W. – NN
□ 19.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
Black resigned, for if he captures the queen, he gets mated after the white bishop recaptures. 1-0
Steinitz, W – NN, Vienna 1861.
234
2
Znosko-Borovsky, E. – Noteboom, D.
□ 28.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
3
Keres, P. – Alekhine, A.
235
□ 23.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
23.Qxd7+!
4
Keres, P. – Rootare, S.
236
□ 23.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
Yes, the g-pawn is pinned and Rh8# is next. 1-0 Keres, P – Rootare, S, Tallinn 1942.
5
Saxton, D. – Ohman, H.
237
□ 14.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
1-0 Saxton, D – Ohman, H, Omaha 1998. Black resigned in view of 15...Kh6 16.Bc1+ Kh5 17.Be2+
Kh4 18.Rh3#.
6
Aratovsky, N. – Smyslov, V.
238
■ 25...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
25...Nxf4!–+
White resigned as he must capture the knight to prevent ...Qg2#, after which ...Rxh4 followed by
...Rh1 will seal his fate. 0-1 Aratovsky, N – Smyslov, V, Leningrad 1951.
7
Letelier, R. – Fischer, R.
239
■ 23...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
23...Qxf4+!–+
White resigned; if he captures the queen Black will play 24...Bh6#. 0-1 Letelier Martner, R – Fischer,
R, Leipzig 1960.
8
Aaron, M. – Fischer, R.
240
■ 29...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
9
Rusakov – Kalinkin
241
□ 21.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
Give yourself extra points if you found 22.Bg8!, mating even more quickly.
22...Kxf7
10
Sveshnikov, E. – Razuvaev, Y.
242
□ 32.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
32.Qxh7+!+–
1-0 Sveshnikov, E (2450) – Razuvaev, Y (2535), Belgrade 1988. Black resigned in view of 32...Qxh7
33.f7+! Kf8 [33...Qxf7 34.Rh8#] 34.fxe8=Q+ Kxe8 35.Rxh7+–.
11
Polgar, J. – Skembris, S.
243
□ 36.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
36.Rxf8+!
Black resigned due to 37.Rd8# if he captures the rook. 1-0 Polgar, J (2540) – Skembris, S (2455),
Corfu 1990.
12
Diaz Hollemaert, N. – Panno, O.
244
■ 28...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
28...Qxg3+!
White resigned as ...Be5 is next. 0-1 Diaz, N – Panno, O (2510), Buenos Aires 1990.
13
Khalifman, A. – Seirawan, Y.
245
□ 22.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
22.Nh6+! gxh6
23.Qg4+
Black is helpless against 24.Bxf6 and 25.Qxg7#. 1-0 Khalifman, A (2640) – Seirawan, Y (2595),
Wijk aan Zee 1991.
14
Volkov, S. – Sveshnikov, E.
246
■ 26...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
26...Rxg2+! 27.Kxg2
27.Kf1 Qg6–+ 0-1 (37) Volkov, S (2535) – Sveshnikov, E (2570), St Petersburg 1997.
27...Ne3+ 28.Kg3
28...f4+!
29.Bxf4 Qg6+–+
15
Edouard, R. – Jessel, S.
247
■ 26...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
26...Qxa4!–+
With the decisive threats on the back rank of ...Qxa1 and ...Qd1#, while the queen can’t be taken due
to ...Rxc1#. 0-1 Edouard, R (2085) – Jessel, S (2205), France 2004.
16
Negi, P. – Hebden, M.
248
□ 38.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
249
Show in Text Mode
17
Spence, D. – Cmilyte, V.
■ 30...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
30...Rxf2! 31.Rc3
31.Rxf2 Re1#
31...Ree2!
18
250
Ghaem Maghami, E. – Karpov, A.
■ 27...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
19
Ambartsumova, K. – Girya, O.
251
■ 55...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
55...Rxg2+!–+
0-1 Ambartsumova, K (2332) – Girya, O (2429), Russia 2011. White resigned in view of 56.Kxg2
[56.Kh1 Qxf3 and mate to follow] 56...Qxf3+ 57.Kh2 Qg2#.
20
Richard, R. – Pouya, I.
252
□ 42.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
21
Gagunashvili, M. – Dubov, D.
253
■ 30...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
30...Ng3+! 31.Kg1
22
Beukema, S. – Grandadam, P.
254
□ 23.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
23.Bxg7! Bxg7
23...Nxg7 24.Qxf6+–
23
Korten, L. – Stemmler, F.
255
□ 25.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
25.Qxf7+! Qxf7
25...Kh8 26.Rxe8+–
26.Rxe8#
24
Vernay, C. – Kappeler, K.
256
■ 31...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
31...Rxc3! 32.Rg3
32.bxc3 Rb1#
32...Rcb3–+
Black’s extra piece is stuck on g8, but it’s an extra piece and pawn. White’s situation is hopeless. 0-1
(42) Vernay, C (2506) – Kappeler, K (2238), Switzerland 2017.
25
Maurizzi, M. – Klimkowski, J.
257
□ 26.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
26.Rxe5+! fxe5
26...Kd7 27.Qg7+ Kc6 28.Re6+ Kc5 29.Qxa7+ 1-0 Maurizzi, M (1945) – Klimkowski, J (1760),
Ecuador 2017.
26
Smirin, I. – Anand, V.
258
□ 25.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
25.Rxf7!+–
Black most probably gets destroyed with Qxg6 next. 1-0 Smirin, I (2609) – Anand, V (2773), St
Petersburg 2018.
27
Zatonskih, A. – Yu, J.
259
■ 31...? –+
Show/Hide Solution
31...Bxg3+! 32.Kxg3
32.Kg1 Qxh4–+
White resigned as her king has to advance and she will get mated with ...h6/...Qf7 (or the other way
around). 0-1 Zatonskih, A (2430) – Yu, J (2273), Saint Louis 2019.
28
Ghaem Maghami, E. – Concio, M.
260
□ 38.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
38.Qxe5!!+–
1-0 Ghaem Maghami, E (2536) – Concio, M (2082), Dubai 2019. Black resigned as he gets mated if
he recaptures on e5: 38...Qxe5 39.Rf8+ Kg7 40.Rg8#.
29
Short, N. – Avinash, R.
261
□ 29.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
29.Rxe6! Kxe6
29...Nb8 30.Re7+ Kg8 31.Bg2+– 1-0 (32) Short, N (2636) – Avinash, R (1834), Bangkok 2019.
30.Qxd5+!
262
Position after: 30.Qxd5+!
30...Kxd5 31.Bc4#
30
Schekachikhin, M. – Matlakov, M.
263
□ 34.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
34.Rxh7+!+–
31
Khukhashvili, S. – Manukyan, A.
□ 40.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
40.Rxc6! Qxc6
41.axb7+
264
1-0 Khukhashvili, S (2341) – Manukyan, A (2002), Tbilisi 2019.
Black resigned due to 41...Kxa7 42.b8=Q+ Rxb8 43.Qxb8+ Ka6 44.Ra1+ with mate to follow.
32
Sahoo, U. – Murshed, N.
□ 40.? +–
Show/Hide Solution
42.Qe2++–
1-0 Sahoo, U (2329) – Murshed, N (2405), Ahmedabad 2019. Black resigned in view of 42...Nb5
[42...Ka5 43.Be1+ Ka4 44.Qa6+ Kxb3 45.Rc3#] 43.Rxc6+! [43.Rxb5+– also wins] 43...Rxc6
44.Qxb5+ Ka7 45.Bb8+ Ka8 46.Qxc6+ Rb7 47.Qxb7#.
265
Show in Text Mode
Chapter 8
A Few More Problems
We conclude the book with some problems that didn’t fit into the previous sections, but which will
give you further inspiration to mate your opponents!
Each puzzle is accompanied with short instructions on how to proceed. Follow these instructions to
find the winning move!
1
Borisenko, G. – Simagin, V.
□ 59.?
White wanted to escape a perpetual check and played 59.Kg4. Was it a good decision?
Show/Hide Solution
59.Kg4??
No!!
266
59...f5+!!
2
Larsen, B. – Spassky, B.
■ 43...? –+
White’s king seems pretty safe on h3, but only ‘seems’. Entice it somewhere it doesn’t want to go to
win the game!
Show/Hide Solution
43...g4+!–+
3
Kaidanov, G. – Petit, E.
267
□ 32.? +–
White has a strong attack, but only one mate in two. Find it!
Show/Hide Solution
32.Nf3!
4
Short, N. – Timman, J.
268
□ 32.? +–
Black is totally paralyzed and White just needs the help of one extra piece to deliver mate. GM Nigel
Short found a powerful plan to mate the black king. A difficult but superb idea. Can you play as well
as Nigel?
Show/Hide Solution
Black resigned as the only way to prevent Kh6 and Qg7# is to drop the f7-pawn. Such a king’s march
with so many pieces left on the board doesn’t happen very often! Here Black was totally paralyzed.
Be careful if you try this at home! 1-0 Short, N (2660) – Timman, J (2630), Tilburg 1991.
5
Berkvens, J. – Mikhalevski, V.
269
□ 13.? +–
Can White capture on f7 with the idea Qb3+ next?
Show/Hide Solution
13.Nxf7?
No!
270
Position after: 14...Qd5!
And Black wins as White’s e-pawn is pinned due to ...Rxe1 with a back rank mate. 0-1 Berkvens, J
(2364) – Mikhalevski, V (2532), Hoogeveen 2000.
6
Kasparov, G. – Bareev, E.
271
□ 40.? +–
Win the queen or deliver mate!
Show/Hide Solution
And Black gets mated on the next move, either with Qg7 or Ng7. 1-0 Kasparov, G (2849) – Bareev,
E (2709), Cannes 2001.
7
Christensen, K. – Carlsen, M.
■ 26...? –+
Can Black capture on e4?
Show/Hide Solution
26...dxe4!
Yes, he can!
272
27.Qxd8 Qxd8 28.Rxd8 Rc1+
8
Grischuk, A. – Fressinet, L.
□ 30.? +–
The game continued 30.Ne5 Rxc5 31.Nxe6 Rxe5 32.Nxg5 and Black was in great difficulty, but did
White miss anything even stronger at some point?
Show/Hide Solution
30.Ne5 Rxc5
Yes, here! Either knight capture on g6 followed by a recapture would lead to mate in two.
273
Zubov, A. – Andreikin, D.
■ 60...? –+
Find a brilliant queen move that ends the game in Black’s favor.
Show/Hide Solution
60...Qb8!!
61.Kxe7
61.Kc6 Qc8#
61...Qc7+! 62.Kf6
62.Kf8 Qd8#
62...Ne8#
274
Position after: 62...Ne8#
10
Kantor, G. – Erdos, V.
■ 22...? =
275
Black to play and draw (!). This time, you should use the weakness of your opponent’s king to save
half a point.
Show/Hide Solution
22...Qf5!
23.Ra1
11
Ding Liren – Jakovenko, D.
□ 42.? +–
White found a superb move here, destroying the coordination between Black’s pieces and leading to a
forced mate. Can you find it?
276
Show/Hide Solution
42.Bd7!!+–
Black can give some checks, but eventually won’t be able to prevent both Qe8# and Qg7#.
1-0 Ding Liren (2809) – Jakovenko, D (2719), Shenzhen 2019.
12
Tomashevsky, E. – Nepomniachtchi, I.
■ 28...? –+
Black’s queen is attacked and needs to move now. Find a wonderful square for it!
Show/Hide Solution
28...Qg4!! 29.Rf8+
A) 29.Bxg4?! Nxg4#
B) 29.h4 Rxh4+ 30.gxh4 Qxh4#
277
0-1 (32) Tomashevsky, E (2718) – Nepomniachtchi, I (2776), Khanty-Mansiysk 2019.
13
Mastrovasilis, A. – Marechal, A.
□ 35.? +–
Can you see the best continuation for White?
Show/Hide Solution
35.Qg6+!
35...fxg6
35...Rxg6 36.Nxe7#
36.Nxh6#
This is actually just a mate in two, which you solved plenty of in Chapter 1! Obviously, not hinting
that it’s a mate in two makes the exercise tougher! 1-0 Mastrovasilis, A (2547) – Marechal, A (2326),
France 2011.
278
14
Ivekovic, Z. – Grandelius, N.
■ 26...? –+
Can Black take advantage of White’s weak first rank?
Show/Hide Solution
Yes he can!
26...Qe5!–+
With the terrible double threat of ...Qxb2# and ...Qxe1#, while the queen isn’t hanging due to ...Rd1#.
0-1 Ivekovic, Z (2320) – Grandelius, N (2562), Athens 2012.
15
Van Foreest, J. – Groffen, H.
279
□ 24.? +–
Black’s position seems on the verge of collapse – give the coup de grâce.
Show/Hide Solution
24.Nf6!+–
Controlling the important g8-square! 1-0 Van Foreest, J (2541) – Groffen, H (2152), Netherlands
2016. Black resigned in view of 24...Qxd4 [24...Qxe6 25.Qb4++–] 25.e7#.
16
Abasov, N. – Kantor, G.
280
□ 30.? +–
Find the killer move for White!
Show/Hide Solution
30.Qf7! Qd8
30...Rxf7 31.Rc8++–
31.Rxh6+!
And Qh7# is next. 1-0 Abasov, N (2608) – Kantor, G (2527), Batumi 2018.
281
Table of Contents
Title page 3
Key to Symbols 4
Preface 5
Exercises 1-24 6
Exercises 25-48 30
Exercises 1-26 54
Exercises 27-52 80
Exercises 1-20 106
Exercises 21-40 126
Exercises 1-16 146
Exercises 17-32 162
282