A surprising move, but not the best, wins quickplay game

Ray Collett (white)
against
Steve Mellor (black) to play

An offhand, 10 minute game played at Worcester City Club on
26 September 2002

Select black's best move and see what what was played in the game and the post mortem analysis by scrolling down the web page

 








 

 

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In the position above, Steve clearly has an advantage and completely surprised Ray by the spectacular sacrifice
1...Nxg4?!
This isn't the best move because 1...Ne4 2.Nxe4 Rxe4 3.Kc2 Qc7 followed by ...Qf4 wins at least a pawn without allowing white any counterplay.
2.Qf5?
The queen move is an error and white should have taken the bait: 2.Rxg4! Re1+ 3.Kc2 Ra1 4.Qg3 Rxa2+ 5.Kb1 Rb2+ (Not 5...Qxd2? 6.Rxg7+ Kf8 7.Rg8+ Ke7 8.Qd6 mate) 6.Ka1 Ra2+! 7.Kxa2 Qxd2+ 8.Kxa3 Qa5+ 9.Kb2 Qd2+ 10.Kb1 Qd1+ 11.Kb2 Qd2+ leads to a purpetual check. The other possible defence with the queen is also bad: 2.Qg3? f5 3.Nb1 Re1+ 4.Kc2 Qb4 5.Rxe1 with a big advantage for black.
2...Qc3+
 White resigned because the black queen runs amock through his position.

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Published 10 November 2002 by Ray Collett