As you can see, black is threatening a checkmate with Qxg2++. However, the last move was a serious error, as it neglected the intrinsic power of my open files and diagonals against the black king. Can you find the sequence with which I quickly destroyed my opponent's position?
1. Qc2!
Leaving the Nb5 hanging, this move defends g2, and attacks h7, which for now is defended by the Nf6... Black replied with the happy 1...Qxb5? taking the bait, and the following deadly sequence unleashed:
2. Rxf6!!
Sacrificing the exchange. Of course - the rook cannot be taken, for if 2...gxf6?? 3. Qxh7 mate would follow. Black was forced to play 2....g6 - material is now again equal, but white is not done yet! Can you find the powerful move at white's disposal? (diagram 2):
3.Nxg6!!
Sacrificing a knight or a rook, as you prefer. If now black takes the Rf6, he is soon mated with 3....Bxf6?? 4.Ne7!! Kh8 (g7) 5. Qxh7 mate! But the same outcome follows on any other move except taking the knight, so black obliges: 3.... fxg6. What next?
4.Rxg6+!! (diagram 3):
Sacrificing again a rook! This cannot be taken, though, as 4....hxg6 would result in mate in two (5.Qxg6+ Kh8 6.Qxh7 mate!). Also the escape in the corner 4....Kh8 would not work, because of a further rook sacrifice: 5.Rg8+!! Kxg8 6.Qxh7 mate! So black plays 4....Kf7. Is he safe now? Apparently, it can escape the ordeal through e8...
5.Rg7+!! (diagram 4):
Offering the rook for the fourth time in a row! And again the rook cannot be taken, as 5....Kxg7? would result in 6.Qh7+ Kf6 7.Qg6 mate! So black can only play 5....Ke8. However, this would also be insufficient, as 6.Rxe7+ (offering itself for the fifth time!!) would quickly win the game. Black saw this, and preferred to resign. I think I never played such a precise sequence of highly aesthetic moves in a blitz game before! As the time on the lower right indicates, the whole sequence was concocted in less than 90 seconds... Proud of myself for once!
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