Table of Contents

Title page
Key to Symbols
Preface

Chapter 1 – Check & Mate

Exercises 1-24
Exercises 25-48
Chapter 2 – Check, Check & Mate
Exercises 1-26
Exercises 27-52
Chapter 3 – A Few Checks & Mate
Exercises 1-20
Exercises 21-40
Chapter 4 – Trap Your Opponent’s King
Exercises 1-16
Exercises 17-32
Chapter 5 – Hit the Defender
Exercises 1-20
Exercises 21-40
Chapter 6 – A Nasty Double Threat
Exercises 1-16
Chapter 7 – An Unexpected Blow
Exercises 1-16
Exercises 17-32
Chapter 8 – A Few More Problems
Exercises 1-16
 Chess Calculation Training for Kids and
Club Players
Level 1: Checkmating

by
Romain Edouard

Thinkers Publishing 2020

www.thinkerspublishing.com

First edition 2020 by Thinkers Publishing

Copyright © 2020 Romain Edouard
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in
a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written
permission from the publisher.
All sales or enquiries should be directed to Thinkers Publishing, 9850
Landegem, Belgium.
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.thinkerspublishing.com

Managing Editor: Romain Edouard

Assistant Editor: Daniël Vanheirzeele
Typesetting: Mark Haast
Proofreading: Ian Marks
Software: Hub van de Laar
Cover Design: Iwan Kerkhof
Graphic Artist: Philippe Tonnard
Production: BESTinGraphics
ISBN: 9789492510693
D/2019/13730/14
 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
 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.
All the very best,
GM Romain Edouard
 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.? +–
1-0 Rosenthal, S – Allies, Paris (blindfold) 1887.

2
Berger, J. – Fröhlich

□ 10.? +–
1-0 Berger, J – Fröhlich, Graz 1888.

3
Donisthorpe, W. – Mundell

□ 15.? +–
 4
Nimzowitsch, S. – Neumann

□ 16.? +–

5
Tartakower, S. – Reti, R.
 □ 35.? +–

6
Alekhine, A. – Vasic
 □ 10.? +–

7
Kholmov, R. – Klavin, J.
 □ 20.? +–

8
Nezhmetdinov, R. – Kotkov, Y.
 □ 25.? +–

9
Kuzmin, A. – Vladimirov, Y.
 □ 32.? +–

10
Ivanchuk, V. – Ivanovic, B.
 □ 53.? +–

11
Adams, M. – Comas Fabrego, L.
 □ 28.? +–

12
Wang Zili – Steingrimsson, H.
 □ 29.? +–

13
Shamkovich, L. – Trubman, A.
 □ 23.? +–

14
Ofek, R. – Kaidanov, G.
 ■ 32...? –+

15
Christiansen, L. – Nunn, J.
 □ 36.? +–

16
Serper, G. – Shirov, A.
 □ 27.? +–

17
Iosif, C. – Skripchenko, A.
 ■ 24...? –+

18
McShane, L. – Leech, A.
 □ 39.? +–

19
Virostko, P. – Aronian, L.
 ■ 62...? –+

20
Topalov, V. – Kasparov, G.
 ■ 47...? –+

21
Lagno, K. – Shepeleva, S.
 □ 36.? +–

22
Carlsen, M. – Gretarsson, H.
 □ 32.? +–

23
Hammer, J. – Carlsen, M.
 ■ 17...? –+

24
Kalinina, M. – Muzychuk, M.
■ 27...? –+
 Show in Text Mode

25
Radziewicz, I. – Bader, K.

□ 19.? +–
 26
Petrosian, T. – Minasian, A.

□ 29.? +–

27
Khademalsharieh, S. – Menzi, N.
 □ 35.? +–

28
Inarkiev, E. – Andriasian, Z.
 □ 42.? +–

29
Bagheri, M. – Ghaem Maghami, E.
 ■ 25...? –+

30
Bluebaum, M. – Belezky, A.
 □ 28.? +–

31
Aeschbach, P. – Patuzzo, F.
 □ 45.? +–

32
Carlsen, M. – Karjakin, S.
 □ 50.? +–

33
Sadzikowski, D. – Mista, A.
 □ 45.? +–

34
Abergel, T. – Vernay, C.
 □ 30.? +–

35
Kuzubov, Y. – Esipenko, A.
 □ 87.? +–

36
Zatonskih, A. – Sutovsky, E.
 ■ 28...? –+

37
Peng, Z. – Repkova, E.
 □ 28.? +–

38
Andrzejewska, A. – Brunello, S.
 ■ 29...? –+

39
McShane, L. – Anand, V.
 ■ 51...? –+

40
Sethuraman, S. – Naiditsch, A.
 □ 33.? +–

41
Gunina, V. – Sebag, M.
 □ 30.? +–

42
Durarbayli, V. – Smith, D.
 □ 28.? +–

43
Charmeteau, S. – Cornette, M.
 ■ 30...? –+

44
O’Connor, J. – O’Donnell, C.
 ■ 31...? –+

45
Escobar Forero, A. – Dominguez Perez, L.
■ 39...? –+
 46
Nakamura, H. – Aronian, L.

■ 40...? –+

47
Coca, C. – Iordachescu, V.
 □ 29.? +–

48
Bengtsson, S. – Benmesbah, N.
■ 20...? –+
 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

20.Rf8+! Qxf8 21.Rxf8+ Rxf8 22.Qxg6#

1-0 Morphy, P – Worrall, T, New Orleans 1857.

2
Steinitz, W. – Wilson, J.

□ 18.? +–

Show/Hide Solution
18.Rf8+! Bxf8 19.d6+ Be6 20.Bxe6#

1-0 Steinitz, W – Wilson, J, London 1862.

3
Paulsen, L. – Bollen, C.

□ 32.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

32.Rxa6+! bxa6

32...Kb8 33.Ra8#

33.Qxa6+ Ra7 34.Qc8#

1-0 Paulsen, L – Bollen, C, Düsseldorf 1863.

4
Jackson, E. – Marshall, F.

■ 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#
31...Be7+ 32.Bg5 Bxg5#

5
Reti, R. – Tartakower, S.

□ 9.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

9.Qd8+! Kxd8 10.Bg5+ Kc7 11.Bd8#

1-0 Reti, R – Tartakower, S, Vienna 1910.

 6
Portela, C. – Nogues Acuna, A.

□ 26.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

26.Nf6+ Kh8 27.Qxh6+! Bxh6 28.Rh7#

1-0 Portela, C – Nogues Acuna, A, Buenos Aires 1927.

7
Wagner, H. – Brinckmann, A.
 □ 43.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

43.Nh6+ Kh7 44.Nf7+ Kg6

44...Kg8 45.Rh8#

45.Rh6#

1-0 Wagner, H – Brinckmann, A, Bremen 1927.

8
Weenink, H. – Kmoch, H.
 □ 21.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

21.Bh5+! Kxg5

21...Kh7 22.g6#

22.Rdg1+ Kf4 23.Ne2#

1-0 Weenink, H – Kmoch, H, London 1927.

9
Kirillov, V. – Kan, I.
 ■ 68...? –+

Show/Hide Solution

68...Rf1+! 69.Nxf1 Nf3+ 70.Kh1 Qxf1#

0-1 Kirillov, V – Kan, I, Moscow 1931.

10
Addicks, J. – Gudju, I.
 □ 14.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

14.Bxf7+! Kxf7 15.Ng5+ Kg8

15...Kf6 16.Qe6#

16.Qe6#

1-0 Addicks, J – Gudju, I, Prague 1931.

11
Keres, P. – Verbac
 □ 14.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

14.Qh6+! Kxh6 15.Rh4+ Kg7 16.Bh6#

1-0 Keres, P – Verbac, Berlin 1939.

12
Yanofsky, D. – Anderson, F.
 ■ 35...? –+

Show/Hide Solution

35...Rxh3+ 36.gxh3 Bxf3+ 37.Kh2 Qf2#

0-1 Yanofsky, D – Anderson, F, Vancouver 1951.

13
Korchnoi, V. – Polugaevsky, L.
 □ 34.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

34.Rxg6+! Kh7

Same story after 34...Kh8 35.Rg8+ Rxg8 36.Qh7#.

35.Rg7+ Kxg7 36.Qh7#

1-0 Korchnoi, V – Polugaevsky, L, Tbilisi 1956.

14
Durao, J. – Catozzi, H.
 □ 43.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

43.Rf4+ Kh5 44.Rh4+! gxh4 45.g4#

1-0 Durao, J – Catozzi, H, Dublin 1957.

15
Meo, S. – Giustolisi, A.
 ■ 24...? –+

Show/Hide Solution

24...Ne2+ 25.Kh1 Qxh2+! 26.Kxh2 Rh4#

0-1 Meo, S – Giustolisi, A, Rome 1958.

16
Togonidze, M. – Bilek, E.
 □ 28.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

28.Rh8+! Bxh8 29.Ne6+ Kg8 30.Nh6#

1-0 Togonidze, M – Bilek, E, Tbilisi 1960.

17
Kavalek, L. – Kanko, I.
 □ 35.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

35.Rh7+ Kxh7 36.Qxf7+ Kh6

36...Bg7 37.Rh3#

37.Rh3#

1-0 Kavalek, L – Kanko, I, Halle 1963.

18
Kavalek, L. – Marovic, D.
 □ 35.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

35.Qxf7+! Rxf7

35...Kh8 36.Qxh7#

36.Rc8+ Rf8 37.Rxf8#

1-0 Kavalek, L – Marovic, D, Krakow 1964.

19
Belov, L. – Osachuk, A.
 □ 33.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

33.Qf8+! Kxf8

33...Kg6 34.Qh6#

34.Bh6+ Kg8 35.Re8#

1-0 Belov, L – Osachuk, A, Soviet Union 1966.

20
Spassky, B. – Korchnoi, V.
 □ 35.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

35.Qh6+! Kg8

35...Kxh6 36.Rh1# 1-0 Spassky, B (2690) – Korchnoi, V (2670), Kiev 1968.

36.Rc8+ Rf8 37.Rxf8#

21
Smyslov, V. – Dominguez Sanz, J.
 □ 29.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

29.Ng6+! hxg6 30.Qh4+ Bh6 31.Qxh6#

1-0 Smyslov, V (2620) – Dominguez, J (2200), Las Palmas 1972.

22
Geller, E. – Garcia, G.
 ■ 22...? –+

Show/Hide Solution

22...Qxh2+! 23.Kxh2 Rh6+ 24.Kg1 Rh1#

0-1 Geller, E (2590) – Garcia, G (2365), Bogota 1978.

23
Braga, F. – Portisch, L.
 ■ 35...? –+

Show/Hide Solution

35...Qg2+! 36.Bxg2 Rd1+ 37.Bf1 Rxf1#

0-1 Braga, F (2375) – Portisch, L (2630), Mar del Plata 1982.

24
Ivanov, I. – Hartman, B.
 □ 34.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

34.Ng6+! hxg6 35.Qf8+ Kh7 36.Qxg7#

1-0 Ivanov, I (2495) – Hartman, B (2380), Canada 1986.

25
Verdihanov, V. – Savon, V.
 ■ 24...? –+

Show/Hide Solution

24...Re2+! 25.Kxe2 Bd3+ 26.Kf2 Qf1#

0-1 Verdihanov, V – Savon, V (2460), Moscow 1991.

26
Polgar, J. – Chilingirova, P.
 □ 17.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

17.Qxf8+! Kxf8 18.Bh6+ Kg8 19.Re8#

1-0 Polgar, J (2320) – Chilingirova, P (2195), Thessaloniki 1988.

 Show in Text Mode

27
Sveshnikov, E. – Shcherbakov, R.

□ 24.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

24.Qg7+! Kxg7 25.Nf5+ Kg8 26.Nh6#

1-0 Sveshnikov, E (2540) – Sherbakov, R (2525), Moscow 1991.

 28
Topalov, V. – Ubilava, E.

□ 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

21...gxf5 22.Qh6+ Kg8 23.Qh8#

22.g5+ Ke6
22...Kxg5 23.Qh4#

23.Rxd6#

29
Yudasin, L. – Lalic, S.

□ 32.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

32.Bg7+ Kxg7 33.Qxh7+ Kf8 34.Qg8#

1-0 Yudasin, L (2610) – Lalic, S (2335), Seville 1993.

 30
Roiz, M. – Aronov, V.

□ 40.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

40.Qh8+ Rg8 41.Rxf7+! Kxf7 42.Qf6#

1-0 Roiz, M (2370) – Aronov, V (2235), Beersheba 1998.

31
Topalov, V. – Reinderman, D.
 □ 58.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

58.Qg6+ Ke7 59.f6+! Rxf6 60.Qe8#

1-0 Topalov, V (2700) – Reinderman, D (2542), Wijk aan Zee 1999.

32
Shirov, A. – Grischuk, A.
 □ 32.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

32.Rxh7+!

1-0 Shirov, A (2718) – Grischuk, A (2663), Linares 2001.

32...Kxh7 33.Bg7(f8)+ 33...Qh5 34.Qxh5#

33
Carlsen, M. – Daly, C.
 □ 28.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

28.Qg7+! Rxg7 29.hxg7+ Kg8 30.Rh8#

1-0 Carlsen, M (2315) – Daly, C (2353), Gausdal 2003.

34
Carlsen, M. – Harestad, H.
 □ 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#

1-0 Carlsen, M (2385) – Harestad, H (2249), Copenhagen 2003.

 35
Aronian, L. – Grischuk, A.

□ 41.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

41.Nf6+! Bxf6 42.Rg7+! Kf8 43.h8=Q#

1-0 Aronian, L (2750) – Grischuk, A (2726), Mexico City 2007.

36
Mamedjarova, Z. – Daulyte, D.
 □ 46.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

46.Ne6+! fxe6

46...Kf5 47.Nd4+ Kg5 48.f4#

47.f4+ Kf5 48.Qe5#

1-0 Mamedjarova, Z (2234) – Daulyte, D (2307), Khanty-Mansiysk 2010.

37
Bok, B. – Bluvshtein, M.
 □ 32.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

32.Rf8+! Bxf8 33.Rxf8+ Kg7 34.Rg8#

1-0 Bok, B (2453) – Bluvshtein, M (2590), Wijk aan Zee 2011.

38
Milos, G. – Carlsson, P.
 ■ 25...? –+

Show/Hide Solution

25...Qh1+! 26.Bxh1 Nh2+ 27.Ke1 Rg1#

0-1 Milos, G (2593) – Carlsson, P (2511), Turkey 2012.

39
Lyall, S. – Zhang, L.
 ■ 23...? –+

Show/Hide Solution

23...Ne2+! 24.Qxe2 Qxc3+! 25.bxc3

25.Bc2 Qxb2#

25...Ba3#

0-1 Lyall, S (1801) – Zhang, L (1839), New Zealand 2014.

40
Antipov, M. – Van Foreest, J.
 □ 25.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

25.Qe8+! Rxe8 26.Rxe8+ Kf7 27.Rf8#

1-0 Antipov, M (2538) – Van Foreest, J (2541), Khanty-Mansiysk 2015.

41
Yuffa, D. – Riazantsev, A.
 □ 33.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

33.Qh7+! Nxh7 34.Ng6+ Kg8 35.Be6#

1-0 Yuffa, D (2534) – Riazantsev, A (2651), Sochi 2016.

42
Bauer, C. – Svane, R.
 □ 44.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

44.Qh6+! Kf6

44...Kxh6 45.Qh8# 1-0 Bauer, C (2635) – Svane, R (2560), Basel 2017.

45.Qhh8+ Ke7 46.Qhd8#

43
Carlsen, M. – Nepomniachtchi, I.
 □ 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.
 ■ 80...? –+

Show/Hide Solution

80...Qg3+ 81.Kh5 Qg5+! 82.Rxg5 Nf6#

0-1 Alonso Rosell, A (2530) – Fedorchuk, S (2633), Linares 2017.

45
Ushenina, A. – Matnadze, A.
 ■ 30...? –+

Show/Hide Solution

30...Qxe3+! 31.Kxe3 Rf3+ 32.Kd2 Rd3#

0-1 Ushenina, A (2445) – Matnadze, A (2368), Hersonissos 2017.

46
Brunello, S. – Valsecchi, A.
 ■ 34...? –+

Show/Hide Solution

34...Rh5+! 35.Bxh5 Ng5+ 36.Kh4 Ng2#

0-1 Brunello, S (2556) – Valsecchi, A (2501), Cosenza 2017.

47
Haussernot, C. – Guichard, P.
 □ 44.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

44.Qxg7+! Rxg7 45.Rf8+ Rg8 46.Rxg8#

1-0 Haussernot, C (2198) – Guichard, P (2365), Nimes 2018.

48
Kovalenko, I. – Sakaev, K.
 □ 33.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

33.Qxh6+! gxh6 34.Nf6+ Kg7 35.Rg8#

1-0 Kovalenko, I (2657) – Sakaev, K (2584), St Petersburg 2018.

49
Chongstitwattana, C. – Asavasaetakul, C.
 □ 24.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

24.Qxb8+! Kxb8 25.Nd7+ Ka8 26.Rc8#

1-0 Chongstitwattana, C (1453) – Asavasaetakul, C (1729), Thailand 2018.

50
Agrest, I. – Hammer, J.
 ■ 25...? –+

Show/Hide Solution

25...Rc1+ 26.Ke2 Rc2+ 27.Kd3 Rd2#

0-1 Agrest, I (2275) – Hammer, J (2652), Internet 2019.

51
Artemiev, V. – Hracek, Z.
 □ 29.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

29.Qxf6+! Nxf6 30.Bg7+ Kg8 31.Bxf6#

1-0 Artemiev, V (2736) – Hracek, Z (2578), Skopje 2019.

52
Stijve, T. – Giesinger, E.
 □ 33.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

33.Qxf8+! Bxf8 34.Nxe6+!

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#
 Show in Text Mode

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

31.Qxh6+! Kxh6 32.Rh2+ Bh5 33.Rxh5+ Kg6 34.Rg5+ Kh6 35.Rh3#

1-0 Tarrasch, S – Von Scheve, T, Nürnberg 1883.

2
Richardson – Delmar, E.
 □ 12.? +–
(4)

Show/Hide Solution

12.Nf6+! gxf6 13.Qf8+! Kxf8 14.Bh6+ Kg8 15.Re8#

1-0 Richardson – Delmar, E, New York 1887.

3
Blake, J. – Hook, W.
 □ 8.? +–
(5)

Show/Hide Solution

8.Bf7+ Ke7 9.Qxf6+! Kxf6

9...gxf6 10.Nd5#

10.Nd5+ Ke5 11.Nf3+ Kxe4 12.Nc3#

1-0 Blake, J – Hook, W, London 1891.

4
Keres, P. – Pomar Salamanca, A.
 □ 23.? +–
(4)

Show/Hide Solution

Many moves win − but only one delivers mate.

23.Rd8+! Qxd8

23...Kc5 24.Qxd5+ Kb4 25.Qxb5#

24.Qe6+ Kc5 25.Nb3+ Kc4

25...Kb4 26.Qe4#

26.Qe4#

1-0 Keres, P – Pomar, A, Madrid 1943.

 5
Furman, S. – Ratner, B.

□ 36.? +–
(4)

Show/Hide Solution

36.Be5+ Bd6 37.Rg7+!

37.Qe7+ Nd7 38.Rxd6 1-0 Furman, S – Ratner, B, Vilnius 1949.

37...Nd7

37...Qxg7 38.Bxd6#
38.Qxd7+ Kb8 39.Qxb7#

6
Juarez, C. – Sanguineti, R.

□ 25.? +–
(4)

Show/Hide Solution

25.Rd8+! Rxd8 26.Rxd8+ Kxd8 27.Qg8+ Re8 28.Qxe8#

1-0 Juarez, C – Sanguineti, R, Rio Hondo 1950.

 7
Tolush, A. – Stoltz, G.

□ 42.? +–
(4)

Show/Hide Solution

42.Rxh7+! Kxh7 43.Nf8+ Kg7 44.Qh7+ Kxf8 45.Qf7#

1-0 Tolush, A – Stoltz, G, Bucharest 1953.

8
Nezhmetdinov, R. – Kasparian, G.
 □ 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#

1-0 Nezhmetdinov, R – Kasparian, G, Riga 1955.

9
Ferrantes, G. – Giustolisi, A.
 ■ 42...? –+
(4)

Show/Hide Solution

42...Nxf2+! 43.Rxf2 Qg2+! 44.Rgxg2 hxg2+ 45.Kg1 Rh1#

0-1 Ferrantes, G – Giustolisi, A, Igea Marina 1956.

10
Hector, J. – Lind, J.
 □ 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.
 □ 1.? +–
(4)

Show/Hide Solution

1.Qxf8+! Rxf8 2.Rxh7+! Kxh7 3.Rh1+ Bh3 4.Rxh3#

1-0 Skuya, R – Rosenberg, A, Riga 1962.

12
Olafsson, F. – Kinzel, A.
 □ 31.? +–
(6)

Show/Hide Solution

31.h4+! Kxh4

31...Kf5 32.Qg4#

32.Qf2+

Black resigned in the game Olafsson, F – Kinzel, A, Havana 1966, 1-0.

Mate is coming:

32...Kh5 33.Qf3+ Kh4

33...Kg5 34.Qg3+ Kh5 35.Qg6+ Kh4 36.Nf3#

34.Qe4+ Kh5 35.Qg6+ Kh4 36.Nf3#

13
Corden, M. – NN

□ 15.? +–
(5)

Show/Hide Solution

15.Qd7+! Bxd7 16.Nd6+ Kd8 17.Nf7+ Kc8 18.Re8+! Bxe8 19.Rd8#

1-0 Corden, M – NN, 1970.

 14
Soltis, A. – Botterill, G.

□ 22.? +–
(5)

Show/Hide Solution

22.Rxh5+! Kxh5 23.Qf7+ Kh4

23...Kg4 24.Qf3+ Kh4 25.Rh1+ Qh3 26.Qxh3#

24.Rh1+ Qh3

24...Kg4 25.Qf3# 1-0 Soltis, A (2440) – Botterill, G (2410), Graz 1972.

25.Rxh3+ Kg4 26.Qf3#

 15
Vladimirov, Y. – Kharitonov, A.

□ 32.? +–
(4)

Show/Hide Solution

32.Qf6+! Nxf6 33.Bc5+! Bxc5 34.gxf6+ Kf8 35.Rh8#

1-0 Vladimirov, Y (2470) – Kharitonov, A, Alma-Ata 1977.

16
Vykydal, F. – Nemec, T.
 □ 22.? +–
(4)

Show/Hide Solution

22.Qxh7+! Kxh7 23.Rh3+ Kg7 24.Bh6+ Kh7 25.Bf8#

1-0 Vykydal, F – Nemec, T, Bratislava 1979.

17
Nunn, J. – Fox, T.
 □ 17.? +–
(4)

Show/Hide Solution

17.Qxf8+! Kxf8 18.Bh6+ Kg8 19.Re8+ Qf8 20.Rxf8#

1-0 Nunn, J (2515) – Fox, T, Bristol 1980.

18
Sandrin, A. – Dragun, N.
 □ 29.? +–
(5)

Show/Hide Solution

29.Qxg6+! fxg6

29...Kh8 30.Rxf7 and mate will follow even more quickly.

30.Rf8+ Kg7 31.R1f7+ Kh6 32.Rh8+ Kg5 33.h4#

1-0 Sandrin, A – Dragun, N, Noordwijkerhout 1980.

19
Yusupov, A. – Yudasin, L.
 □ 34.? +–
(6)

Show/Hide Solution

34.Rxg7+!

1-0 Yusupov, A – Yudasin, L, Kyrgyzstan 1981.

Mate is coming: 34...Kxg7 35.Qf6+ Kg8 36.Qf7+ Kh8 37.Qxe8+ Kg7
38.Rf7+ Kg6 39.Qg8#.

20
Petkovic, R. – Terentiev
 □ 28.? +–
(4)

Show/Hide Solution

28.Re7+!

1-0 Petkovic, R – Terentiev, Riga 1981. Black resigned in view of the

coming mate:

28...Kxe7 29.Qg7+ Ke8

29...Ke6 30.Bg4#

30.Re1+ Re6 31.Rxe6#

 Show in Text Mode

21
Waitzkin, J. – Frumkin, E.

□ 26.? +–
(7)

Show/Hide Solution

26.Qxg7+! Kxg7 27.Bf6+ Kg6

27...Kh6 28.Rh3+ Kg6 delays mate by one move.

28.Rg3+ Kh6
28...Kh5 29.Rg5+ Kh4 30.Nf3#

29.Bg7+ Kh5 30.Rg5+ Kh4 31.Nf3#

1-0 Waitzkin, J – Frumkin, E, New York 1987.

22
Graf, A. – Kunte, A.

□ 43.? +–
(4)

Show/Hide Solution

43.g6+! Kxg6

43...fxg6 44.Ng5#
44.Nxe7+ Kh7

A) 44...Kh6 45.Bf4+ Kh7 46.Qg8#

B) 44...Kf6 45.Bh4#

45.Qg8+ Kh6 46.Bf4#

1-0 Graf, A (2595) – Kunte, A (2345), Calcutta 1996.

23
Moser, E. – Jurkiewicz, K.

□ 29.? +–
(5)

Show/Hide Solution
29.Ra7+! Bxa7 30.Qxd7+ Ka6

30...Qc7 31.Qxc7+ delays mate by one move.

31.Qxa7+ Kb5 32.Qa5#

1-0 Moser, E (2190) – Jurkiewicz, K (2185), Oropesa del Mar 1998.

24
Milovanovic, D. – Krush, I.

■ 30...? –+
(4)

Show/Hide Solution

30...Rh1+! 31.Kxh1 Qh6+

And mate on h2 follows. 0-1 Milovanovic, D – Krush, I (2380), Parsippany
2001.

25
Denker – Klein

□ 28.? +–
(4)

Show/Hide Solution

28.Rh8+!! Kxh8 29.Rf8+ Kh7 30.Qh3+ Rh4 31.Qxh4#

1-0 Denker – Klein, Male 2015.

 26
Friedel, J. – Chow, A.

□ 25.? +–
(5)

Show/Hide Solution

25.Re8+ Kg7

25...Rxe8 26.Rxe8+ Kg7 27.h6+ Kxh6 28.Qh4+ Kg7 29.Qh7#

26.h6+! Kxh6 27.Qh4+ Kg7 28.Qh8#

1-0 Friedel, J (2528) – Chow, A (2253), Wheeling 2010.

 27
Donchenko, A. – Bauer, C.

■ 34...? –+
(5)

Show/Hide Solution

34...Ba3+! 35.Kc3 Nb5+ 36.Kc2 Qf5+–+

And ...Qd3# will follow soon. 0-1 Donchenko, A (2498) – Bauer, C (2628),
Metz 2014.

28
Saric, I. – Vachier-Lagrave, M.
 ■ 32...? –+
(4)

Show/Hide Solution

32...Qa2+! 33.Kxa2

33.Kc2 b1=Q+ 34.Kc3 Qb4+ 35.Kd3 Qaxd2#

33...b1=Q+ 34.Ka3 Qb3#

0-1 Saric, I (2666) – Vachier-Lagrave, M (2757), Wijk aan Zee 2015.

29
Krupenski, Y. – Gelfand, B.
 □ 27.? +–
(4)

Show/Hide Solution

27.Qg6+! fxg6 28.Bg8+ Kh8 29.Bf7+ Kh7 30.hxg6#

1-0 Krupenski, J (2406) – Gelfand, B (2735), Tallinn 2016.

30
Ivanchuk, V. – Matlakov, M.
 □ 56.? +–
(4)

Show/Hide Solution

56.Rf8+ Kg7 57.Qf7+! Rxf7 58.R1xf7+ Kh6 59.Rh8#

1-0 Ivanchuk, V (2747) – Matlakov, M (2694), Doha 2016.

31
Admiraal, M. – Vedder, H.
 □ 39.? +–
(4)

Show/Hide Solution

39.Qg5+ Kh8 40.Qg7+! Bxg7 41.Re8+ Bf8 42.Rxf8#

1-0 Admiraal, M (2456) – Vedder, H (2371), Belgium 2017.

32
Kazarian, A. – Limanovska, E.
 □ 32.? +–
(6)

Show/Hide Solution

32.Qxh7+! Kxh7 33.Rh3+ Kg6 34.Rh6+ Kg5 35.h4+ Kg4 36.Ne3+ Kg3
37.Rf3#

1-0 Kazarian, A (2257) – Limanovska, E (1990), Riga 2017.

33
Huang, R. – Ganguly, S.
 ■ 37...? –+
(4)

Show/Hide Solution

37...f2+! 38.Rxf2

38.Kh2 Qxh4#

38...Rxg2+! 39.Rxg2 Rf1+ 40.Kh2 Qxh4#

0-1 Huang, R (2328) – Ganguly, S (2621), Tianjin 2018.

34
Petrosian, T. – Martirosyan, H.
 ■ 46...? –+
(6)

Show/Hide Solution

46...Rh3+! 47.gxh3 Qf3+ 48.Kh2 Qxh3+ 49.Kg1 c1=Q+ 50.Qxc1 Rxc1+

51.Re1 Rxe1#

0-1 (46) Petrosian, T (2595) – Martirosyan, H (2616), Moscow 2019.

35
Saric, I. – Charbonneau, P.
 □ 25.? +–
(6)

Show/Hide Solution

25.Qxg6+!

1-0 Saric, I (2690) – Charbonneau, P (2505), Internet 2019.

Black resigned in view of the imminent mate:

25...Kf8 26.Qh6+ Kg8 27.Rg3+ Bg4 28.Rxg4+ Bg5 29.Rxg5+ Rg7

30.Qxg7#

36
Ivic, V. – Cabarkapa, N.
 □ 33.? +–
(6)

Show/Hide Solution

33.Qxg7+! Kxg7 34.Rf7+ Kh8

34...Kxg6 35.Ne5+ Kh6 36.Rg6+ Kh5 37.Rh7#

35.g7+ Kh7

35...Kg8 36.Nh6+ Kh7 37.g8=Q+ Kxh6 38.Rh7#

36.g8=Q+! Kxg8 37.Nh6+ Kh8 38.Rg8#

1-0 Ivic, V (2487) – Cabarkapa, N (2443), Kragujevac 2019.

 37
Cornette, D. – Smith, A.

□ 22.? +–
(4)

Show/Hide Solution

22.Rf8+ Kg7 23.Qf7+! Bxf7 24.R1xf7+ Kh6 25.Rh7#

1-0 Cornette, D (2433) – Smith, A (2481), Brest 2019.

38
Cuenca Jimenez, J. – Cori, J.
 ■ 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#

0-1 Cuenca Jimenez, J (2515) – Cori, J (2686), Linares 2019.

39
Guseinov, G. – Mammadova, G.
 □ 33.? +–
(5)

Show/Hide Solution

33.d7+!

1-0 Guseinov, G (2654) – Mammadova, G (2360), Baku 2019.

Black resigned as she gets mated shortly, regardless of her next move:

33...Rxd7

A) 33...Qxd7 34.Nc7+ Qxc7 35.Qe6+ Qe7 36.Qxe7#

B) 33...Nxd7 34.Nc7#
C) 33...Kxd7 34.Qc6#

34.Qc8+ Rd8 35.Nc7+ Qxc7 36.Qe6+ Qe7 37.Qxe7#

 40
Kulaots, K. – Lagarde, M.

■ 40...? –+
(7)

Show/Hide Solution

40...Qh1+ 41.Ke2 Rxf2+! 42.Kxf2

42.Ke3 Qe1+ 43.Re2 Rxe2+ 44.Kd4 Rd2#

42...Ng4+ 43.Ke2 Qg2+ 44.Ke1 Qg1+ 45.Ke2 Qf2+ 46.Kd1 Qf1#

0-1 Kulaots, K (2542) – Lagarde, M (2657), Batumi 2019.

 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

37.f5! Ne7

The only available square for the knight.

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!

Exploiting the pin on the queen on e7.

27...Qxa3 28.Rxe8#

1-0 Evans, L – Bisguier, A, New York 1958.

3
Aitken, J. – Payne, R.
 □ 30.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

30.Qh6! Qxf6

30...Bxf6 31.Qf8#

31.Rd8+! Bxd8 32.Qf8#

1-0 Aitken, J – Payne, R, Whitby 1962.

4
Torre, E. – Craske, N.
 □ 26.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

26.Rg8+! Kxg8 27.Qh6+–

And mate on g7 is unavoidable. 1-0 Torre, E – Craske, N, Stockholm 1969.

5
Karpov, A. – Mecking Da Costa, H.
 □ 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.
 ■ 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.
 □ 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.
 ■ 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.
 □ 34.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

34.Rd6+ Kc4 35.Rxe4+ fxe4 36.c3!+–

The black king is trapped and Rd4# is coming. 1-0 Anand, V (2515) –
Donguines, F, Malaysia 1989.

10
Kotronias, V. – King, D.
 □ 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.
 □ 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.
 □ 27.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

27.Qxh5! gxh5 28.Rxh5+–

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.
 ■ 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+–+

0-1 Carlsen, M (2127) – Bluvshtein, M (2354), Gausdal 2002.

14
Karpov, A. – Shirov, A.
 □ 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#

1-0 Karpov, A (2672) – Shirov, A (2710), Tallinn 2006.

15
Carlsen, M. – Shirov, A.
 □ 62.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

62.Kg3!

Black cannot prevent Bg6+ followed by f4+ (or h4+) and h4# (or f4#).

62...Ra5 63.Bg6++–

1-0 Carlsen, M (2765) – Shirov, A (2740), Foros 2008.

Black resigned in view of 63...Kg5 64.f4+ [or 64.h4+ gxh3 65.f4#] 64...gxf3
65.h4#.

16
Gelfand, B. – Wang, H.
 □ 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.
 Show in Text Mode

17
Valdimarsson, E. – Grandelius, N.

□ 45.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

45.Kf2! Rc1 46.h3+ Kf4

46...Kh5 47.g4+ Kh4 48.Rxh6#

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.

■ 16...? –+

Show/Hide Solution

16...Qh4!–+

0-1 Ivanyuhin, V (1898) – Vanheirzeele, D, Hasselbacken 2016.

White resigned in view of 17.gxh4 Rg6+ 18.Bg4 Rxg4#, trapping the white
king!
 19
Dreev, A. – Yilmaz, M.

□ 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.
 ■ 31...? –+

Show/Hide Solution

31...Qe2! 32.Rf1 Rd1–+

0-1 Peralta, F (2588) – Bachmann, A (2649), Barcelona 2016.

21
Moradiabadi, E. – Mulyar, M.
 □ 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.
 □ 18.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

18.Qh5!+–

1-0 Rakhmanov, A (2662) – Ponkratov, P (2589), Sochi 2016.

Black resigned in view of 18...gxh5 19.Rg3+ Bg5 20.Rxg5#.

23
Tregubov, P. – Moiseenko, A.
 ■ 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.
 □ 29.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

29.Qf6!

Trapping the black king once and for all. Rh8# becomes inevitable.

29...Bf8 30.Rh8#

1-0 Ulibin, M (2501) – Mesman, E (2230), Amsterdam 2017.

25
Howell, D. – Moore, G.
 □ 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.
 □ 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.
 □ 21.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

21.Rh8+!

If 21.Qh4 right away, Black would just move her f8-rook.

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.
 ■ 39...? –+

Show/Hide Solution

39...Nf2!

(∆...Rh3#)

40.Rd4+ Kc8

0-1 Libiszewski, F (2480) – Vallejo Pons, F (2694), Berlin 2019.

29
Javakhishvili, L. – Guichard, P.
 □ 35.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

35.Rxe5 Rxc7 36.Rh1!

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.
 □ 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.
 ■ 45...? –+

Show/Hide Solution

45...Rb3+ 46.Kh4 Kg6!

Trapping the white king on h4 while threatening ...Bf2 and mate.

47.Bb6™ 47...Bh2!

Threatening ...Bg3#.

48.Bf2 Bxf4–+

And now it’s ...Bg5# that can’t be avoided!

0-1 Hou Yifan (2659) – Nihal, S (2610), Cap d’Agde 2019.
 32
Dubov, D. – Svane, R.

□ 36.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

36.Bb3!!

Threatening Qa4#.

36...Bd7

36...Kxb3 37.Qc2+ Ka3 38.Qa2#

37.Qc1+! Kxb3 38.Qc2+ Ka3 39.Qa2#

1-0 Dubov, D (2699) – Svane, R (2592), Batumi 2019.

One of the most brilliant games played in 2019!
 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

16...Qh4!

Trying to force the white rook off the g-file.

17.Rg2

17.Rxh4 Rg1#

17...Qxh2+!

And now definitely forcing it off.

18.Rxh2 Rg1#

0-1 Reiner – Steinitz, W, Vienna 1860.

 2
Alekhine, A. – Evenson, A.

□ 14.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

14.Qxc6+! Bd7

14...bxc6 15.Rd8#

15.Qxb7+–

1-0 Alekhine, A – Evenson, A, Kiev 1918.

 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+

1-0 Maroczy, G – Vidmar, M, Ljubljana 1923.

 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.

23.Re8+ Qg8 24.Nf7#

 5
Keres, P. – Petrosian, T.

■ 51...? –+

Show/Hide Solution

51...Qxf4+!–+

If White captures the black queen Black gives mate on h1.

0-1 Keres, P – Petrosian, T, Yugoslavia 1959.

6
Wiler – Hell
 ■ 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+!

And another one!

4.Kxa1 Qa8+ 5.Kb1 Qa2#

0-1 Wiler – Hell, 1964.

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.

■ 22...? –+

Show/Hide Solution
22...Qc7+!

22...Qc6+ would also do the job.

23.Qxc7 Nb3#

0-1 Vaganian, R – Planinec, A, Hastings 1974.

9
Tarjan, J. – Karpov, A.

■ 39...? –+

Show/Hide Solution

39...Qf4+ 40.Kh3 Re3+!

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.

□ 35.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

35.Rxc8 Nxc8 36.Rxc8! Qxc8 37.Qa3++–

1-0 Kasparov, G – Kayumov, D, Moscow 1976.

 11
Keene, R. – Van Baarle, J.

□ 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.
 □ 29.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

29.Re8+! Rxe8

29...Bf8 30.Qxc3+–

30.Qxd5+ Kh8 31.Nf7+ Kg8 32.Nh6+ Kh8 33.Qg8+ Rxg8 34.Nf7#

1-0 Zatulovskaya, T (2160) – Skegina, K (2155), Sochi 1982.

13
Kuhn, D. – Kauschmann, H.
 □ 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.
 □ 36.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

36.Qxf6+!+–

1-0 Polgar, S (2425) – Gocheva, R (2190), Novi Sad 1990.

Black resigned in view of 36...gxf6 37.Rhxg8+ Ke7 38.R1g7#.

15
Weinrich, K. – Chuchelov, V.
 □ 1.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

1.Rxc6! bxc6 2.Qd4+–

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.
 □ 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.
 □ 27.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

27.Bd8!+–

1-0 Atalik, S (2535) – Cela, A (2415) Halkida 1996.

Black has two ways to untrap his king temporarily, but he gets mated in both
cases: 27...f5 [27...Kh7 28.Bg5 and Nf6# cannot be avoided] 28.Nf6+ Kf7
29.g8=Q#. The c8-rook was an important defender. By playing Bd8 White
cuts the connection between it and the g8-square.

18
Kamsky, G. – Karpov, A.
 ■ 29...? –+

Show/Hide Solution

29...Rxd2! 30.Qxd2 Qf3+ 31.Kg1 Bh3–+

0-1 Kamsky, G (2735) – Karpov, A (2770), Elista 1996.

19
Nakamura, H. – Yee, K.
 □ 17.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

17.Nce4! Nxe4

Otherwise Nxf6.

18.Qxh7#

1-0 Nakamura, H – Yee, K (2305), Honolulu 1997.

20
Mamedyarov, S. – Babaev, R.
 □ 28.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

28.Qxd4!

Eliminating the first defender.

28...exd4 29.Rf8+!

And deflecting the second one.

29...Rxf8 30.Be6+ Rf7 31.Bxf7#

1-0 Mamedyarov, S (2479) – Babaev, R (2334), Baku 2001.

 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.

■ 31...? –+

Show/Hide Solution

31...Qxc5+! 32.Rxc5 Rd1+

And mate follows. 0-1 De Jonghe, B (2232) – Renette, H (2241), Belgium

2007.

23
Bjerke, S. – Freitag, M.
 ■ 37...? –+

Show/Hide Solution

37...Rg4! 38.Qxg4 Qh2#

0-1 Bjerke, S (2181) – Freitag, M (2395), Graz 2014.

24
Chkhikvishvili, M. – Javakhadze, Z.
 ■ 9...? –+

Show/Hide Solution

9...Nd4! 10.hxg4

10.Nxd4? Qh2#

10...Nxe2+–+

0-1 (32) Chkhikvishvili, M (2050) – Javakhadze, Z (2423), Georgia 2014.

25
Jackson, J. – Okike, D.
 ■ 36...? –+

Show/Hide Solution

36...Qxd1! 37.Rxd1 Rxa4#

0-1 Jackson, J (2356) – Okike, D (2169), London 2014.

26
Grandelius, N. – Giri, A.
 ■ 40...? –+

Show/Hide Solution

40...Qxe2! 41.Nxe2 Nd2+ 42.Ka2 Ra8+ 43.Qa7 Rxa7#

0-1 Grandelius, N (2632) – Giri, A (2784), Doha 2015.

27
Efimenko, Z. – Krasenkow, M.
 □ 29.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

29.Rxb6! Qxb6 30.Qxa4! Rxa4 31.Rc8+ Ne8 32.Rxe8#

1-0 Efimenko, Z (2655) – Krasenkow, M (2614), Warsaw 2016.

28
Yip, C. – Foisor, S.
 ■ 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.
 □ 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+!+–

1-0 Kovchan, A (2575) – Korobov, A (2698), Kiev 2018.

White wins an important pawn for starters and mates by force whether Black
captures the queen or not: 37...Kg8 [37...gxh6 38.Rg8+! Kh7 39.Bf5#]
38.Rxg7+! Rxg7 39.Be6+! (again deflecting the defender, the black queen)
39...Kf8 [39...Qxe6 40.Qxg7#] 40.Qh8+ Ng8 41.Qxg8+! Rxg8 42.Rxg8#.

30
Di Nicolantonio, L. – Harutyunian, T.
 ■ 25...? –+

Show/Hide Solution

25...Re2!

Cutting the connection between the white queen and the f2-square.

26.Qxe2

26.Bxe2 Nf2#

26...Qxe2 27.Bxe2 Nf2#

0-1 Di Nicolantonio, L (2389) – Harutyunian, T (2528), Sitges 2018.

 31
Lagarde, M. – Enchev, I.

□ 29.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

29.Qf7+ Kh8 30.e7!+–

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.
 ■ 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.
 ■ 38...? –+

Show/Hide Solution

38...Rxe2! 39.Qd1

39.Qxe2 Qg5+ 40.Rg3 Qc1+–+

39...Qf6!?

39...Qg5+ 40.Rg3 Rd2 also wins.

40.Rf3 Re1+!

0-1 Ivic, V (2487) – Gledura, B (2630), Skopje 2019.

 34
Anand, V. – Dubov, D.

■ 23...? –+

Show/Hide Solution

23...Be5! 24.Qg5 Bf4!–+

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.
 □ 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.
 □ 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.
 □ 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.
 ■ 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.
 ■ 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.
 □ 37.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

37.Rxd4!+–

1-0 Amonatov, F (2614) – Artemiev, V (2653), Almaty 2016.

Black resigned in view of 37...Qxd4 38.Qf7+ (the black queen – the defender
– is gone!) 38...Kh8 39.Nxg6#.
 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 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

14...Be7! 15.Qxh8 Bh4#

0-1 Rodzinski – Alekhine, A, Paris 1913.

3
Heemsoth, H. – Heissenbuettel

□ 1.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

1.Rc5! Qxc5 2.Rxh7+! Nxh7 3.Qg7#

1-0 Heemsoth, H – Heissenbuettel, Bremen 1958.

4
Lengyel, L. – Sliwa, B.

□ 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

25...g6 26.Kxf1+– 1-0 (30) Lengyel, L – Sliwa, B, Polanica Zdroj 1966.

26.Qxh7+! Kxh7 27.Rh5#

5
Jansen, I. – Asenova, V.

■ 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.

□ 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.

■ 19...? –+

Show/Hide Solution

19...Nde5! 20.Qxe7

20.fxe5 Qxc7–+

20...Nxf3+ 21.Kh1 Nf2#

0-1 Garcia, S (2455) – Pigusov, E (2520), Moscow 1987.

8
Nikolic, P. – Topalov, V.
 ■ 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.
 ■ 23...? –+

Show/Hide Solution

23...Ne3! 24.Rxd8+ Rxd8 25.Qe2

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#

0-1 Gaasland, G – Carlsen, M (2072), Norway 2001.

10
Granda Zuniga, J. – Demuth, A.

□ 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.

□ 45.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

45.Rd6!+–

Threatening Rxg6, while the queen can’t hide due to Rxa6#.

1-0 (65) Jones, G (2615) – Cox, J (2346), London 2015.

12
Sarakauskas, G. – Howell, D.
 ■ 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.

33...Bd5+ 34.Kh2 Rh1#

 13
Salomon, J. – Vachier-Lagrave, M.

■ 25...? –+

Show/Hide Solution

25...Bxb3!–+

Threatening ...Qxg2#. 0-1 Salomon, J (2470) – Vachier-Lagrave, M (2796),

Gibraltar 2017.

14
Ivic, V. – Lagarde, M.
 □ 27.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

27.Bc5! Rxh8

27...Nxc5 28.Qh6+ Kf7 29.Qh7#

28.Bxe7+–

1-0 (29) Ivic, V (2487) – Lagarde, M (2631), Skopje 2019.

15
Hracek, Z. – Mamedov, R.
 □ 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.
 ■ 32...? –+

Show/Hide Solution

32...Nb3!

Threatening ...Ra1# while attacking the d4-rook.

0-1 Gueci, T (2265) – Navrotescu, A (2241), Batumi 2019.
 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

19.Rxf6! Rxf6 20.Qxf6!+–

Black resigned, for if he captures the queen, he gets mated after the white
bishop recaptures. 1-0 Steinitz, W – NN, Vienna 1861.

2
Znosko-Borovsky, E. – Noteboom, D.

□ 28.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

28.Rxh7+! Kxh7 29.Qf7+ Kh8 30.Re3+–

And Rh3 is unavoidable. 1-0 Znosko-Borovsky, E – Noteboom, D, Tenby
1928.

3
Keres, P. – Alekhine, A.

□ 23.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

23.Qxd7+!

1-0 Keres, P – Alekhine, A, Margate 1937.

Black resigned in view of 23...Rxd7 24.Re8+ Rd8 25.Rdxd8#.
 4
Keres, P. – Rootare, S.

□ 23.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

23.Rxh7! Kxh7 24.Rh1+ Nh5 25.Rxh5+

Yes, the g-pawn is pinned and Rh8# is next. 1-0 Keres, P – Rootare, S,
Tallinn 1942.

5
Saxton, D. – Ohman, H.
 □ 14.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

14.Qxg7+! Kxg7 15.Rg3+

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.
 ■ 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.
 ■ 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.
 ■ 29...? –+

Show/Hide Solution

29...Rxc3! 30.bxc3 Qb1+–+

0-1 Aaron, M – Fischer, R, Stockholm 1962.

9
Rusakov – Kalinkin
 □ 21.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

21.Qxf7+! Nxf7 22.Rxf7

Give yourself extra points if you found 22.Bg8!, mating even more quickly.

22...Kxf7

If 22...Qd6 23.Ref1 followed by Rf8.

23.Rf1+ Ke8 24.Rf8#

1-0 Rusakov – Kalinkin, Lodz 1963.

 10
Sveshnikov, E. – Razuvaev, Y.

□ 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.
 □ 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.
 ■ 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.
 □ 22.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

22.Nh6+! gxh6

22...Kh8 23.Qxf7 Bd6 24.Qg8+! Rxg8 25.Nf7#

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.
 ■ 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.Kg1 Qg6+ 29.Bg5 Qxg5#

28...f4+!

The quickest mate.

28...Qg6+ 29.Kf4 Qxh6+ 30.Ke5 Qg7+ also soon turns into a mate, the
prettiest being 31.Kf4 Ng2#.
29.Bxf4 Qg6+–+

15
Edouard, R. – Jessel, S.

■ 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.

□ 38.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

38.Qxf7+! Rxf7 39.Rd8#

1-0 Negi, P (2352) – Hebden, M (2514), Hastings 2005.

 Show in Text Mode

17
Spence, D. – Cmilyte, V.

■ 30...? –+

Show/Hide Solution

30...Rxf2! 31.Rc3

31.Rxf2 Re1#

31...Ree2!
0-1 Spence, D (2221) – Cmilyte, V (2475), Gibraltar 2006.
A cute finish! After 31...Ree2 mate is unavoidable, e.g. 32.Rxc5 [32.Rxf2
Re1#] 32...Rxg2+ 33.Kh1 Rxh2+ 34.Kg1 Reg2#.

18
Ghaem Maghami, E. – Karpov, A.

■ 27...? –+

Show/Hide Solution

27...Qxc1+! 28.Bxc1 Rxc1+ 29.Kg2 h3#

0-1 Ghaem Maghami, E (2604) – Karpov, A (2644), Tehran 2009.

 19
Ambartsumova, K. – Girya, O.

■ 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.
 □ 42.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

42.Qxf6+! Kxf6 43.Ne8#

A cute mate, isn’t it?

1-0 Rapport, R (2681) – Idani, P (2496), Reykjavik 2014.

21
Gagunashvili, M. – Dubov, D.
 ■ 30...? –+

Show/Hide Solution

30...Ng3+! 31.Kg1

31.Bxg3 Qxh3+ 32.Bh2 Qg2#

31...Ne2+! 32.Kf2 Nxc1 33.Rxe6 Nxf1–+

The piece count isn’t good for White!

0-1 Gagunashvili, M (2569) – Dubov, D (2644), Gjakova 2016.

22
Beukema, S. – Grandadam, P.
 □ 23.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

23.Bxg7! Bxg7

23...Nxg7 24.Qxf6+–

24.Qxf7+ Kh8 25.Qf8+! Bxf8 26.Nf7#

1-0 Beukema, S (2380) – Grandadam, P (2325), Bhubaneswar 2016.

23
Korten, L. – Stemmler, F.
 □ 25.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

25.Qxf7+! Qxf7

25...Kh8 26.Rxe8+–

26.Rxe8#

1-0 Korten, L (2146) – Stemmler, F (1972), Dortmund 2017.

24
Vernay, C. – Kappeler, K.
 ■ 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.
 □ 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.

27.Qe6+ Kf8 28.Qf7#

26
Smirin, I. – Anand, V.
 □ 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.
 ■ 31...? –+

Show/Hide Solution

31...Bxg3+! 32.Kxg3

32.Kg1 Qxh4–+

32...Qc7+ 33.Kg4 Be6+

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.
 □ 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.
 □ 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+!
 Position after: 30.Qxd5+!

A double blow! How elegant!

30...Kxd5 31.Bc4#

30
Schekachikhin, M. – Matlakov, M.
 □ 34.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

34.Rxh7+!+–

1-0 Schekachikhin, M (2424) – Matlakov, M (2697), Sochi 2019.

Black resigned in view of 34...Kxh7 [34...Qxh7 35.Qe8+ Qg8 36.Rh1#]
35.Rh1+ Kg8 36.Qe6+ Qf7 [36...Kf8 37.Rh8+ Qg8 38.Rxg8#] 37.Nh6+ and
mate will follow soon.

31
Khukhashvili, S. – Manukyan, A.
 □ 40.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

40.Rxc6! Qxc6

40...bxc6 41.Qb8+ Rxb8 42.axb8=Q#

41.axb7+

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

40.Nxb6! Kxb6 41.Rb3+ Ka6

41...Nb5 42.Qc5+ Ka6 43.Rxb5+–

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#.
 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!!

59...f5+!!

And White gets mated! 0-1 Borisenko, G – Simagin, V, Moscow 1955.

White resigned in view of 60.gxf6 [60.Kh4 Qh1#] 60...Qf5+ 61.Kh4 Qh5#.

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+!–+

0-1 Larsen, B (2610) – Spassky, B (2635), Linares 1981.

White resigned in view of 44.Kxg4 Bh5+! 45.Kxh5 Qg5#.

3
Kaidanov, G. – Petit, E.

□ 32.? +–
White has a strong attack, but only one mate in two. Find it!
Show/Hide Solution

32.Nf3!

And 33.Bg5# is unavoidable.

1-0 Kaidanov, G (2540) – Petit, E (2245), Torcy 1991.

4
Short, N. – Timman, J.

□ 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
32.Kg3! Rce8 33.Kf4! Bc8 34.Kg5!

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.

□ 13.? +–
Can White capture on f7 with the idea Qb3+ next?

Show/Hide Solution
13.Nxf7?

No!

13...Kxf7 14.Qb3+ Qd5!

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.
 □ 40.? +–
Win the queen or deliver mate!

Show/Hide Solution

40.Nd7+! Bxd7 41.Qf6+

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!

27.Qxd8 Qxd8 28.Rxd8 Rc1+

Back rank mate! 0-1 Christensen, K – Carlsen, M (2072), Norway 2002.

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.

31.Nxe6 Rxe5 32.Nxg5 Re7 33.Nf7+ Rxf7 34.Rxf7±

1-0 (72) Grischuk, A (2792) – Fressinet, L (2717), Dubai 2014.

 9
Zubov, A. – Andreikin, D.

■ 60...? –+
Find a brilliant queen move that ends the game in Black’s favor.

Show/Hide Solution

60...Qb8!!

Black has the deadly threat of ...Qe8+ followed by ...Qc8#.

61.Kxe7

61.Kc6 Qc8#

61...Qc7+! 62.Kf6

62.Kf8 Qd8#
62...Ne8#

Position after: 62...Ne8#

A cute finish! 0-1 Zubov, A (2597) – Andreikin, D (2719), St Petersburg

2018.

10
Kantor, G. – Erdos, V.
 ■ 22...? =
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!

The black queen is untouchable.

23.Ra1

23.Rb2 Qxf3 24.gxf3 Rd1+ 25.Kg2 Rxc1=

23...Qf6! 24.Rb1 Qf5=

½-½ (25) Kantor, G (2505) – Erdos, V (2610), Budapest 2019.

 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?

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#

29...Rxf8 30.Rxf8+ Kg7 31.Rf7+ Kxf7–+

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+!

Great punishment for Black’s last move (...Nd5−e7 in a winning position!).

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.

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.

□ 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.

□ 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.