Written by Robert Jamieson on 9th Jul, 2010
Playing a top player is always a thrill and gives you a chance for a moment of fame should you pull off an upset.
10 year-pld Karl Zelesco had his moment of fame in round one of the
Lidums Checkmate Open in Adelaide last week when he was paired with IM
James Morris in the first round. James was the exchange ahead in
winning comfortably even though his rook was not yet in play. Karl was
desperately trying to find some threats when suddenly James blundered!
In the diagrammed position James was tossing up between 30.a4, 30.Qh5
and 30.Qd1.
Today’s puzzle is which move did he choose and why was it a blunder?
ANSWER:
James played 30.Qd1? It was a blunder because of 30…Bxb2+! 31.Kxb2 Qe5+ 32.Kc1 Qa1+ 33.Kd2 Qb2+ 34.Bc2 Qb4+ 35.Kc1 Qa3+ with a perpetual check.
The bad news is that Karl missed his chance and played 30...Qd7. If only he had followed Cecil Purdy’s advice and examined all checks and captures.
