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X-Ray Attacks: Hidden Pressure, Sudden Impact

#5

For the last puzzle, 1... Qxd4+ 2. Qf2 Qxa4 doesn’t work because after 3. hxg6+ Kg8 (note that 3... Kxg6 loses to 4. Qg3+ Kf7 5. Qxg7+ Ke8 6. Bf6+), there’s 4. Bc4+!! Qxc4 5. Qh4 and mate is unstoppable unless you sac the queen

For the last puzzle, 1... Qxd4+ 2. Qf2 Qxa4 doesn’t work because after 3. hxg6+ Kg8 (note that 3... Kxg6 loses to 4. Qg3+ Kf7 5. Qxg7+ Ke8 6. Bf6+), there’s 4. Bc4+!! Qxc4 5. Qh4 and mate is unstoppable unless you sac the queen
#7

This is a really great post; thanks so much. The concept of x-ray isn't new to me obviously but the examples you give are really refreshing and ingenious. I doubt I would have spotted these in any regular blitz game (maybe classical OTB?) but in future I may think to check for this concept more often as when it works, it REALLY works!

This is a really great post; thanks so much. The concept of x-ray isn't new to me obviously but the examples you give are really refreshing and ingenious. I doubt I would have spotted these in any regular blitz game (maybe classical OTB?) but in future I may think to check for this concept more often as when it works, it REALLY works!