Yesterday I witnessed a sudden end to a hard-fought game in the last round of one of my Delancey UK Chess Challenge games.

White, who had played very well up until now to achieve an easily winning position, had just moved in for the kill with Bf4-d6, attacking the black rook. This looks strong, but unfortunately for White there is a big problem.

Black to play

Black played f2-f1 and promoted the pawn to a queen. Checkmate!

It is a familiar case of the person who is winning easily just losing concentration for a split second and allowing a devastating move.

In the words of Chuck Berry, ‘”C’est la vie”, say the old folks, it goes to show you never can tell’