Keverel Chess

This game, part of Somerset’s recent dramatic win over Yorkshire, has everything – sacrifices, combinations and a cross-country king hunt.

White: Rhys Cumming (188). Black: J. Arnott (206).

French Defence-Tarrasch Var. [C05]

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4 c5 6.c3 Nc6 7.Ndf3 Qb6 8.g3 cxd4 9.cxd4 Bb4+ 10.Kf2 If 10.Bd2 Nxd4 11.Rc1. 10…f6 11.Kg2 0–0 12.Nh3 fxe5 13.fxe5 Rxf3 14.Qxf3 Nxd4 15.Qf4 Nc6 16.Bd3 Ndxe5 White’s pawn centre has collapsed, leaving Black with 2 central passed pawns, but his “French bishop” is holding back completion of his development, giving White the chance of a lightning attack. 17.Bxh7+ This move is called a “Greek Gift”, possibly after the saying “Beware Greeks bearing gifts”, though often the defender has little choice but to accept, as here. 17…Kxh7 18.Ng5+ Kg8 19.Qh4 Qd4 20.Qh7+ Kf8 21.Rf1+ Ke7 22.Qxg7+ Kd6 23.Bf4 Qxb2+ 24.Kh1 Bc3 25.Rab1 Qe2 26.Nf7+ Kc5 27.Qf8+ Kd4 28.Bxe5+ Nxe5 29.Rf4+ forcing the king ever onwards. 29…Kd3 30.Nxe5+ Qxe5 31.Qc5 Bd7 It’s a bit late now, as White has a forced mate. 32.Rf3+ Kc2 33.Qg1 Be1 34.Rxe1 35.Qf2 1–0.

Somerset now face Middlesex in the Semi-Final on June 9^th.

Last week’s game ended thus: 1.Rh7+! after which if (a) 1…KxR 2.Rb7+ wins the queen, or (b) 1…Kg5 2.h4+ Kf5 3.Rf3+ and again the check allows BxQ next move, and Black has nothing left.

This week’s 2-mover is the starter problem for the 2012-13 British Solving Championship. Work out White’s only move (the key) that leaves Black unable to avoid mate next move. Send the solution to Paul Valois, 14, Newton Park Drive, Leeds, LS7 4HH, together with a cheque or postal order for £3 made payable to British Chess Problem Society. Please provide an e-mail address if you have one. All entries should be postmarked no later than 31^st July 2012. Don’t forget to mention that you saw the position in this paper. After the closing date, all competitors will receive the solution and a free copy of The Problemist. Those who got the correct solution will also receive the Postal Round, comprising 8 positions of slightly greater difficulty and variety. In due course, the best competitors from the postal round will be invited to the Final at Eton College in February 2013 at which the prize fund will be about £1,000.

White to mate in 2 moves.