A very instructive study by K. Kubbel. What does it teach? Well, it's all about the learning the value of x-ray attacks. White can win this even though Black's queen and bishop battery seem awfully dangerous, not to mention those pawns aching to queen. We've given you a big hint. Hope you know what an x-ray attack is!

Solution:

1.Qc2+ Now, Black is faced with some choices...all bad! If 1...Qc6 to block the check, 2.Rxa8+ wins because the queen is pinned. If 1...Kb8, 2.Rb2 wins the queen. That leaves 1...Kd7 and 1...Kd8. If 1...Kd7, then the startling 2.Ra7! After 2...Qxa7 3.Qh7+...the "x-ray" check: it zooms right through the king and nabs the queen right after the king moves out of check. 1...Kd8 2.Qh7!! What a move! Not only does the queen ostensibly give it self up, but it also protects against the check at h1. What is she really up to? The lady is setting up Black for another x-ray attack! 2...Qxh7 Even threatening checkmate on h1. [If Black tries to stay close to his queen, then 2...Kc8 3.Qg8+ Kc7 4.Qxa8 Qb1+ 5.Kg2 Qb5 6.Ra7+ Kd6 7.Qd8+ Kc6 8.Rc7+ Kb6 9.Qd6+ Ka5 10.Qa3+ (or even 10.Rc5, winning the queen) 10...Kb6 11.Qa7#] 3.Rxa8+ Kc7 4.Ra7+ Kb6 5.Rxh7 and the White king will stop Black from promoting the d-pawn while his rook will first gobble up the g-pawn and then come over and take care of the d-pawn and then, with his king's help, mate Black shortly. The "x-ray" idea is really an important idea in chess. It comes up pretty frequently in all sorts of positions. Always be alert for such a possibility ... either for you or against you!

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