CHESS

From a game on instantchess.com, 2007. Most web chess is played at very fast time rates. Five minutes for each side to make all the moves is quite normal, while bullet chess, one minute each for the entire game, is increasingly popular and highly addictive. However, bullet depends primarily on a speedy internet connection plus fast hand and eye reactions. For real success at bullet, you need to be able to average around one move per second. Well, I can’t do it, my best speed is around 25 moves a minute. Fiveminute and three-minute games are more like normal chess, and as today's position shows the test is for your instinct to spot tactical opportunities. White (to move) is a pawn up, but has to contend with Black’s double threat of Qxd3 plus, less obviously, Bb4+ and if axb4 Re8 winning the queen. At three minutes each for the entire game, White couldn't hang about. Luckily for him, he spotted a hidden and plausible trap into which Black fell headlong. Can you set the snare?