Tuesday Night Kasparov

Thanks to all who played tonight.  We had the most players that we have had so far on a Tuesday night which was great to see. 

U1200
In the U1200 event there was a three way tie for First place with JamesBlyth, ORichards, and MeanCactus all finishing on 3 out of 4 and with each only losing in a game against one of the other two, so this was a close as it gets.

Joint 1st: James Blyth ORichards MeanCactus


Open
In the Open event, it was a tough evening for all with a lot of the top players competing.  Rowantree secured victory with 4 wins from 4 games.  There was a three way tie for second place between GlumSuddenBacon, RichSmoothPanda, and rafcalum.

1st: RowanTree
Joint 2nd: GlumSuddenBacon RichSmoothPanda rafcalum
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Chess Problems

Problem 1: Mate in 1
Tonight's first problem is a Mate in 1 comes from the game between MadWiryTank and JamesBlyth.  The position is taken from Move 30, black to play.  In game, Black played Rf4 and did go on to win a number of moves later.  However, he could have won immediately, in one move - can you see how?  If you have a ChessKid login, you can see the whole game at: https://www.chesskid.com/fastchess/game/24901494. 

Answer: 30. …; Qxd3
With the Bishop supporting the Queen, there is nowhere for the White King to run.
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Problem 2: Win the Queen - difficult
Tonight's second position comes from a game between ZanyHummingBook and RichSmoothPanda.  How can White win Black's Queen?  This is taken from the position after Black's turn at move 34, and it is White to play.  If you have a ChessKid login you can see the whole game here: https://www.chesskid.com/fastchess/game/24901693.

Answer: 35. Rf8+

Black's only options are:

1. Kxf8, taking the Rook, White takes Black's Queen.
2. Kg7 to move out of check and protect the Queen, White can move the Rook to g8, putting the King in Check, and after the King moves out of Check, White can take the Queen and white's King and Queen will be protecting each other.
3. Black's only other option is to move the King to h7, but here White can play Rh8+ and if Black takes the Rook, then White can take Black's Queen, while if the King moves to g7, the White Rook can go to g8, and once again, the Queen will fall as she did in option 2.