A Fine Combination

Avatar of batgirl
| 6

This position and it's analysis was published in the 1999 book by P. H. Clarke, 100 Soviet Chess Miniatures.  It involves a beautiful pseudo-Queen sacrifice that gives White a winning advantage in all variations:

White's Queen is attacked, but instead of answering that threat directly, White captures d5 with his Knight even though d5 is protected by a Rook.

The Knight that captures the pawn is, in fact, taboo


White to move

 

But taking even the Queen isn't  a good idea. . .

White to move


Black tries gaining some material before exchanging Queens. . .

White to move


Black tries to move his Queen out of the line of fire while still threatening White's Queen. White simply ignores the threat to is Queen. . .

White to move

note: After 1.Nxd5, Black, of course, can't take the Knight on e6 with his Bishop, since White would simply capture Black's Queen with check and save his own Queen.

 

The game in its entirety: