The following position arose during the recent Golders Green Rapidplay. The opponent remains anonymous to spare a blush.

0	0		0	0	0		0
	0		0	0
0	0	0		0			0
0	0	0		0	0	0	0
	0	0	0	0	0		0
0	0		0	0		0	0
		0			0	0
	0	0	0		0	0

NN v John Foley
White to play
White is ahead in material. However, he needs to complete his development and do something about the king in the centre. White castled queen-side 1.O-O-O
What move had he overlooked?

1…Qc7xc3+! 0-1
2.b2xc3 Bd6-a3# follows.

The mate is of a pattern known as Boden’s Mate named after Samuel Boden, an English master, who executed it in 1853.

Having at last achieved a classic queen-for-pawn sacrifice in a competitive match, I think I can die happy.

0	0		0	0	0		0
	0	0	0	0
0	0	0	0	0			0
0	0	0		0	0	0	0
	0	0	0	0	0		0
	0		0	0		0	0
	0	0			0	0
0	0			0	0	0

The coup de théâtre