1-move TACTICS !! find the knock-out punch !!

quick tip on tactics. Tactics come in different shape and sizes. Sometimes you need to calculate several moves and variations, true; but sometimes a 1-move KNOCK-OUT IS ALL YOU NEED

in the next positions, the MOVE MAY NOT BE OBVIOUS, but in EVERY CASE it PROMPTED RESIGNATION ON THE SPOT.

my friendly tip, look at all "candidate" moves, all checks ,captures and threats ! sometimes, even lose the queen on purpose or offer a pawn for free and then the opponent can only resign !

POSITION #1
WHITE TO PLAY AND WIN

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Interestingly the player with the black pieces is HANS NIEMANN, yes the famous/infamous GM

Solutions posted at the bottom of the post.

POSITION #2 :

BLACK TO WIN

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Hint ( its a crazy position, but there's an insane move which prompted White to throw in the towel. This was a rapid game played in Doha)

POSITION #3

played by the famous streamer/commentator Daniel Naroditsky @DanielNaroditsky

White to play

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HINT: Many moves seems to win. There are obvious candidates. but not all ways lead to Rome as they say ! White is down a ROOK but is looking to capitalize on the ATTACK !!

GM Naroditsky found the move which has the greatest impact and resulted in Black resigning on the spot. His move was confirmed by Stockfish as the best one in the position ( other moves may win but will take longer).

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SOLUTIONS

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Position 1: the simple g4! wins. g4! attacks the queen and the queen can take on g4. but then White plays Qh6 with checkmate on g7

Position 2: Black played the insane move ..Qh3!! and if White takes the queen Rg6+ comes in.

Position 3: Qxg6 comes to mind but Black has ..Ne5; Ne6 is a fork but Qe7 and Black continues

Naroditsky played 1Bc4+ and the check on the a2-g8 diagonal is deadly. if Kh8 Ng6#

Did you find them all ?

Well done

I am pleased to announce I found the knockout punch.

Thank you Nihal Sarin

Full game here:

https://www.schoolschoolschool.com/analysis/game/live/110584870849?tab=review&move=34