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Last weekend (10-12 March), Alan travelled to Blackpool for their annual congress. This year's entry totalled 350, with a sizeable number playing in the Lancashire Open.
Alan scored 4/5 to finish equal third (and winning £100). In his last round game, against Philip Crocker (190 ECF), Alan (Black) had sacrificed a knight to reach the position below.
Without scrolling down the page to see the answer, see if you can work out how Alan forced checkmate.
(Photo copyright © 2013 John Upham Photography)
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Also playing in the same tournament, former Suffolk junior Anita Somton finished second in the Major (u180) section, scoring 4½/5. She won a total of £330, which included the best junior prize.
Black played 1... g4+! 2. Bxg4 Rh2+! 3. Kxh2 Qxh4+ 4. Kg2 Qxg3+ and 5. Qh2 mate.
Nice finish, and an excellent result for Anita, she must have improved tremendously over the last couple of years.
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