Tactics: Bator's Brainwave
This week's Canadian Tactic comes from the game Sambuev - Cardona (Montreal Open, 2013.09.06). Bator annotates this game for the 2014.02 CCN, and writes: "Going into this position I thought I have nothing better than the routine Nxf8, winning a piece; but then I got a brainwave..."
Hint: not the routine...
Spoiler: Highlight to view
23. Nxf8 Kxf8 24. Rxh6 Qc5 (double attack) 25. Bxe5 dxe5 26. Be2 leaves White up a piece for two pawns, but there is a much better continutation...
Solution: 23.Qxd5! Rxc3 24.Nc7+ For several minutes I didn't see the e8-square. It's very rare when you can occupy this square with the knight on the board full of pieces. - Sambuev 24... Kf6 or 24... e6 25.Qxe6+ Kg7 28.Ne8#. 25.Ne8+ Kg5 26.f4+ Kg4 27.Be2+ 1-0 Black resigned rather than allow 28...Kg3 29.Rh3#.
Spoiler: Highlight to view
For the full game, and three others with notes by GM Bator Sambuev, see the 2014.02 CCN.