his position comes from the game Apurva Virkud (2132) vs Irina Krush (2477), US Championships (Women), Round 4, played April 4, 2015 in St. Louis.

 

   In the position on the right it is Black to move. 

 

   Answer below.

   It's Super Bowl season again!  Congrats to the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers on making it to the big game!

   Today I would like to look back at a good "lessons learned" from the playoffs heading into the Super Bowl, which is...


   Have Fun!


   I love Cam Newton. 

   I had him on my fantasy team this year, and he led me to a championship. 

   Cam's attitude is fantastic.

   Before the NFC Championship game Cam said "It is just another football game". 

   He wasn't all stressed out. 

   He wasn't in a panic. 

   He was there to have fun.

   This past weekend, while things were getting heated between his teammates and rivals just before intermission, Newton skipped away from the scrum, choosing to dance all by himself instead.

   Yards away from the scuffle, Newton showed the world his trademark dab to celebrate the Panthers' growing lead.

   I have seen lots of chess players get really super stressed out.  I've seen players quit because they could not handle the (self imposed) pressure.  I've seen temper tantrums, crying, punching inanimate objects, yelling, and all sorts of embarrassing behaviors - and these are from adults!

   Yes, chess can be stressful, challenging, and soul crushing at times.  But if a guy playing in front of millions of people can be out there relaxed and having fun, there is no reason a typical "weekend warrior" chess player can't do the same!

 

   Here is the complete game:

[Event "US Championships (Women)"]
[Site "Saint Louis USA"]
[Date "2015.04.04"]
[EventDate "2015.03.31"]
[Round "4"]
[Result "0-1"]
[White "Apurva Virkud"]
[Black "Irina Krush"]
[ECO "E32"]
[WhiteElo "2132"]
[BlackElo "2477"]
[PlyCount "78"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 b6 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3
Bb7 7. Bg5 h6 8. Bh4 g5 9. Bg3 Ne4 10. Qc2 d6 11. e3 Nd7
12. Ne2 Qe7 13. f3 Nxg3 14. Nxg3 h5 15. O-O-O O-O-O 16. Bd3
Kb8 17. e4 h4 18. Ne2 h3 19. g3 d5 20. Kb1 c5 21. Rhe1 dxc4
22. Bxc4 cxd4 23. Nxd4 Ne5 24. Be2 Rd7 25. Nb5 Rhd8 26. Rxd7
Rxd7 27. Rd1 a6 28. Qc3 Rxd1+ 29. Bxd1 Ng6 30. Nd4 Qd6 31. Be2
Ne5 32. Kc1 Ka7 33. Bf1 g4 34. f4 Nd7 35. Be2 Nc5 36. Bxg4
Bxe4 37. Bf3 Qxd4 38. Qxd4 Nb3+ 39. Kd1 Bxf3+ 0-1

 

   You can play through this game here: http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1789078

 

   Answer:

   37...Qxd4! 38. Qxd4 Nb3+ knight fork

   39. Kd1 (only move) 39...Bxf3+! in between move, not capturing the Queen right away, because the Black bishop is hanging.  (39...Nxd4?? 40.Bxe4)

   after the king moves,40. Ke1 or 40. Kc2 black will play 40...Nxd4 and be up two pieces.

 

 

   Happy Tactics!

 

   Your Friend,