Our last puzzle was played well over 100 years ago, to bring us bang up to date here is a puzzle from a game played this week.

Playing White was young local talent Eli Gallamoy: with his Queen under attack how does the 11 year old continue the game?

White to Play

Did you find the superb combination?

White to play

Using forcing moves we saw the brilliant

1. Bh6+ Ke7  2. Nd5+ Ke6  3. Bf7+ Kxe5  4. c3!

and whatever Black plays next White will play Bf4 mate

Over 6000 people attended the brilliant Chess Festival held last weekend in Trafalgar Square. The weather was scorching (32c) and everyone there, including yours truly, had a magnificent day.

It was wonderful to see many families at the event. With plenty of chess orientated things to do, from watching theatrical re-enactments of classic historical games to playing blitz against other chess fans and for those lucky enough, a chance to play in a simul against a host of GMs including Michael Adams and Gawain Jones

All in all a fabulous day and one I hope will herald the return to over the board chess for us all

Great News! ‘Real’ Chess is back

I know we have been treated to hours of online events during the pandemic, but most of us enjoy playing over the board and face to face more than anything. Elite players have had this luxury for a while. However the ordinary rank and file players are now able to play in congresses and at those clubs willing to open their doors.

To celebrate this, my Game of the Week was played in the 25^th 4NCL FIDE rated congress held over last weekend in Leamington Spa

Playing White is local player George Hollands ( Bridge ) and with the Black pieces Vivien Webster ( Halifax )

In fact George played superbly throughout the event winning 3 games and drawing 2 to finish 2^nd in a very strong field

 White:  Hollands, George       Black:  Webster, Vivien

25^th 4NCL FIDE Rated Congress (Leamington)

     1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3.   e4 {The most aggressive response} e6 {Too passive, Nf6 or e5 are much better}   4. Bxc4 c6 {another passive move} 5. Nc3 {I think White is already better,   more space, central control and better development} Bb4 6. Nge2 Nf6 7. O-O {   Has to be good, Bg5 also looked good} (7. Bg5 h6 8. Bh4) 7... h6 {Stopping Bg5   but where is her queenside development?} 8. e5 Nd5 9. Ne4 {Nice play,when your   opponent is cramped do not allow them to exchange} Nd7 10. a3 {Very good,   getting ready for queenside expansion plus giving the Bishop a safe square on   a2 if needed} Be7 11. f4 N7b6 12. Ba2 f5 {Fatally weakening the light squares,   castling seems safer} 13. Nc5 (13. exf6 Nxf6 14. Qd3 {Stockfish}) 13... Bxc5   14. dxc5 Nd7 15. b4 b6 {The final mistake} 16. Nd4 {Attacking everything!} bxc5   17. Qh5+ {Black resigned as where ever she moves her King the White Knight   will fork the Royal couple} 1-0     

Following on from the Immortal Game, our puzzle this week is from a similar time. This position was reached in 1877; The player with the White pieces was Johannes Zukertort, can you see how he forced mate from this position?

Oh, I forgot to mention that Zukertort was playing this game blindfold!

White to play