The Gazette - May 2021

Edited by Julie Leonard
The views expressed in the Gazette do not necessarily reflect the policies or views of the BCA, nor those of the editor.

Gray Matter Test

These puzzles are selected by Graham Lilley from the website http://www.wtharvey.com, which contains many puzzles that challenge you to find a win from a position in a real game.

February 2021 Puzzle

Magnus Carlsen vs Gustav Gulbrandsen, Norway, 2002

r1b1k2r/pp1nqpp1/4p2p/3pP1N1/8/3BQ3/PP3PPP/2R2RK1

White: King g1, Queen e3, Rooks c1 and f1, Bishop d3, Knight g5, Pawns a2, b2, e5, f2, g2 and h2

Black: king e8, queen e7, rooks a8 and h8, bishop c8, knight d7, pawns a7, b7, d5, e6, f7, g7 and h6

White to move and win.

Solution: Qxa7 If … Rxa7 Rxc8+ Qd8 Rxd8+ & Nxf7+ Or if … Rb8 Qxb8 Nxb8 Rxc8+ & Rxh8

May 2021 Puzzle

Magnus Carlsen vs Per Manne, Bergen, 2002

6k1/3n1ppp/ppr2n2/8/P2B4/1P2N1P1/4rP1P/3R1RK1

White: King g1, Rooks d1 and f1, Bishop d4, Knight e3, Pawns a4, b3, f2, g3 and h2

Black: king g8, rooks c6 and e2, knights d7 and f6, pawns a6, b6, f7, g7 and h7

White to move and win. The solution will appear in the August gazette.