( Gauteng South Chess Association)

This Game is taken from the North Urals Cup in Krasnoturinsk:  Strongest Chess Women's Tournament of the Year 2005; Can you decide the best move for white? There are a few options, but the move Alexandra Kosteniuk chose won her the accolade for  "best move of  the tournament". Move 36: What can white play and win?
 

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SOLUTION

35... Ne6

What can white play now to win?








36. Nxg7 !!








This move was awarded the prize of the best move of the tournament, which was from the magazine "Ural Problemist".  I was very pleased to make such a move during the game.  36. Rf7 obviously would have also won, but not so beautifully: 36...Nf8 ( 36...Qe8 37. Nf6! wins) 37. Qxg7+! Rxg7 38. Rxf8+ with an easy win, but then the beauty prize might have gone to someone else...

36... Ng5

The knight can be taken by 3 different pieces but in each case white wins: ( 36...Rxg7 37. Rb8+ Nd8 38. Rf8+ with mate ) ( 36...Qxg7 37. Qxe6 wins) (36...Nxg7 37.Qxh6 mate)

37. Qxh6+ Nh7 38. Nf5

Black resigns, 1-0