Sep-17-23 V Doroshkievich vs M Movsesian, 1971 
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Delboy: What was going on here? As impressive as black's minor pieces looked, I can't help thinking white could have survived the complications and won. Black even missed a mate in 1 on move 29, so I assume there was a hectic time scramble |
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Aug-04-23 Alekhine vs Z von Balla, 1921 
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Delboy: Von Balla could have tried one last nasty trap in the final position. 23. ... Rf8, hoping for the flashy 24. Qd8 (24. ... Rxd8 25. Rxd8#), with seemingly unmeetable mating threats on f8 and g5. But after 24. ... Qe1+! black might even be winning. (Of course Alekhine would have played |
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Jun-16-23 J Ratolistka vs J Muehl, 1955
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Delboy: An attractive finale initiated by 21. Qxf6!. 21. ... Rxe1+ 22.Rxe1 and other responses only delay matters slightly |
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Jun-13-23 Barcza vs O Troianescu, 1948
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Delboy: I submitted this pun so long ago I have forgotten if there were some deeper twists to it, but I certainly was not referring to Ronaldo's ancestor or Messi's friend (interesting to know though that there is a very remote "Octavio" link). I am often completely baffled by some puns that |
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May-19-23 E Zagoryansky vs A Polyak, 1944
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Delboy: 27. Rd7 was crushing, e.g. 27. ... Bxd7 28. Rxd7 Qf8 (28. ... Qe8 29. Qh4, attacking both f6 and h7) 29. Qh4 h5 30. Bxg6 followed by Qxh5. Nice follow-on blow 28. Rxh7+ with the second Rd7 three moves later |
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May-16-23 G Iskov vs Plaskett, 1979
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Delboy: 18. ... Rh1! is a clinical blow that forces mate. 18. ... Qh6 or 18. ... bxc6 should also win, but in a more prolonged fashion. |
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May-14-23 Ragozin vs A Cherepkov, 1957 
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Delboy: Bold play by black, with several offers of material to keep the exposed white king in the centre and exploit white's slower development. Puzzle-like finish with 24. ... Rc1! |
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Apr-30-23 C Bauer vs D Anic, 1997
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Delboy: Our player of the day had a beautiful refutation on hand had white snatched the bishop offered with 32. ... Bxg3. (i) 33. fxg3 Rd2+ 34. Kg1 Qxh3, or (ii) 33. Kxg3 Re3+!! 34. fxe3 (not taking the rook loses even faster) Nh5+ 35. Kg2/h2 (35. Kh4 Qg5#) Rd2+ with mate to follow |
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Apr-06-23 M Tosic vs M Lazic, 1991
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Delboy: Good puzzle position after black's 17th move. Defending g7 with 20. ... Ne8 or 20. ... Nh5 allows instant mate through Qg8 and Nxf7 (in either move order) |
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Mar-19-23 Kashdan vs Hornerman, 1930 
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Delboy: What a nice finish to this miniature |
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