Chess

Last week's column featured a position where Argentinian Grandmaster Miguel Quinteros made a losing blunder while one rook up. This week, on the same theme, Wellington's International Master Murray Chandler overlooks a fairly simple win in his game against Mershand Sharif, an International Master from Iran, played in the International Chess Tournament which finished in Wellington recently.

In the diagrammed position Chandler played 1. Re6 allowing Black some counterplay after 1. . . Nd4; However with 1.g4! he could have immediately secured a decisive advantage e.g. 1... Rg5; 2. Rf1 ch. Kg8 (If 2 . . . Kg6; 3. Re6 mate); 3. Rf4! and if 3. . . Ne7 ch. (4. Rf8 ch, wins with more of a flourish) followed by 5. Rf8 mating. If Black plays 1 . . . Rf3(trying to retain control of the vital f-file) then not immediately 2. Kg2 because the Black rook could then return to aid in the defence of the first rank via b3. White should first play 2. b4! and only after Black captures on b4 play 3. Kg2 forcing the rook off the f-file. If Black doesn't capture the b-pawn then 3. b5 wins easily.

Curious Continuations (Sponsored by Paramount and Penthouse Cinemas)

In this week's problem White is to play and secure a decisive material advantage. Solutions should be handed in at the Salient office by mid-day Wednesday. The first correct solution drawn out of a hat wins the prize of a double pass to either the Penthouse or Paramount cinemas.

The solution to last week's problem was: 1 . . . Ne2 ch.; 2. Khl, Qg4!; 3. hg4. Rh5 ch!; 4. gh5, Rh4 mate.

Last week's winner was S. McCombie. Tickets can be picked up at the Salient office.

David Beach.