Test your tactical skills with these puzzles from the Women's World Championship Match, GM Hou vs. GM Muzychuk.
Hou is currently undefeated and leading by 2 points after 7 rounds. Update: GM Hou Yifan won the match after nine rounds, with 6/9. Muzychuk, despite being the underdog by over 100 rating points, showed impressive tactical ability as well.
Tactic #1
GM Yifan Hou vs. GM Mariya Muzychuk
Position after 28...hxg6
White to move.
Level: Easy
"The pin is mightier than the sword."
-Fred Reinfeld
[pgn] [White "Yifan Hou"] [Black "Mariya Muzychuk"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C80"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "3n1rk1/6r1/R1p2qp1/1pbp4/6Q1/2P3B1/1PB2PKP/3R4 w - - 0 29"] [PlyCount "7"] [EventDate "2016.03.01"]29. Rxd5 Bxf2 30. Bb3 {The black king has no where to run.} Ne6 ({If} 30... Kh7 31. Qh3+) 31. Rd6 {Simple and effective.} (31. Be5 {was also possible.}) 31...Bc5 32. Qxe6+ 1-0[/pgn]
Tactic #2
GM Mariya Muzychuk vs. GM Hou Yifan
Position after 33. Bc2
Black to move.
Level: Intermediate
"The passed pawn is a criminal who should be kept under lock and key. Mild measures, such as police surveillance, are not sufficient."
-Aron Nimzowitsch, My System
[pgn][White "Mariya Muzychuk"] [Black "Yifan Hou"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C50"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "4r2k/1pp1rp2/p2b1n2/5P1p/P3p1pN/2P2PP1/1PB1R1PK/4R3 b - - 0 33"] [PlyCount "11"] [EventDate "2016.03.01"]33... exf3 34. Rxe7 Rxe7 35. Rxe7 ({If} 35. Rf1 {White is still in trouble because of her weakened kingside and Black's active pieces:} Re2 36. Bd3 Re3 37. Bc4 f2 38. Rxf2 (38. a5 Bxg3+) 38... Bxg3+) 35... f2 {A key zwischenzug (in-between move). White can't prevent the pawn's promotion.} 36. Rxf7 f1=Q 37. Ng6+ Kg8 38. Rxf6 Bc5 0-1[/pgn]
Tactic #3
GM Hou Yifan vs. GM Mariya Muzychuk
Position after 18. Qc2
Black to move and draw.
Level: Advanced
“Never play for the win, never play for the draw, just play chess!”
–GM Alexander Khalifman
[pgn] [White "Yifan Hou"] [Black "Mariya Muzychuk"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C83"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "r2qk3/2p1bpp1/p5B1/1p1pP3/3P2p1/5Pnr/PPQ2R2/RNB3K1 b q - 0 18"] [PlyCount "7"] [EventDate "2016.03.01"]18... Bc5 $1 {Clearing the way for Black's queen to enter the attack.} 19. Qxc5 Rh1+ 20. Kg2 Rh2+ 21. Kg1 (21. Kxh2 {loses to} Qh4+ 22. Kg2 Qh3+ 23. Kg1 Qh1#) 21... Rh1+ {White's king cannot escape the perpetual check.} 1/2-1/2[/pgn]
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