Tactics Time Chess Newsletter: International Women's Day 2013

Published: Fri, 03/08/13

Newsletter Issue #International Women's Day

Tactics Time

Women's Day

Women are always beautiful. ~ Ville Valo


H

appy International Women's Day!

This position was posted on the USCF "Chess Life Online" blog, http://www.uschess.org/content/view/12090/702/, with the caption "Can you find the pretty heart-shaped mate-in-two by Chess Life columnist GM Pal Benko"?

In the position on the right it is White to move, mate in two.

Answer below.

Today's is International Women's Day.

From Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Women%27s_Day:

International Women's Day (IWD), originally called International Working Women's Day, is marked on March 8 every year. In different regions the focus of the celebrations ranges from general celebration of respect, appreciation and love towards women to a celebration for women's economic, political and social achievements. Started as a Socialist political event, the holiday blended in the culture of many countries, primarily Eastern Europe, Russia, and the former Soviet bloc. In some regions, the day lost its political flavor, and became simply an occasion for men to express their love for women in a way somewhat similar to a mixture of Mother's Day and Valentine's Day.

My ex-wife Nadya was from Russia, and my girlfriend Mia is from Hungary, so I am in the minority of Americans who have celebrated International Women's Day more than for Valentines Day :-) Although Nadya would sometimes try to cash in on both holidays! D'oh!

I really like the concept of International Women's Day, because it doesn't have all the commercial silliness and manipulation of Valentine's Day, and is about respect, appreciate and love for Women.

One of my favorites chess memories involving women was playing in a tandem simul against the Polgar sisters in Las Vegas at the National Open. All three sister played, moving around the tables making moves. I lost the game, and unfortunately I also lost the score sheet, although I do still have an autograph from the event, which was a lot of fun. They also hosted a breakfast, where they shared a lot of interesting stories. That was really fun as well!

Answer:

1. Qd6+ Bxd6 Nd8# or 1.Qd6+ Qxd6 2.f5#

Happy International Women's Day!

Your Friend,