January-February

1. Li Ying - Corbin (Mauritius vs. Barbados; Olympiad 2000, Istanbul)
   Dr. Philip Corbin, the "Bajan" known as the "Caribbean Tal," plays 1... Rc1+!and his opponent resigned in lieu of 2. Kh2 Qh3+! 3. Kxh3 Rh1#. There's also 2... Rh1+! 3. Kxh1 Qh3+ 4. Kg1 Qg2#. (See game)
   
   
2. Muhammad - Ziatdinov (Atlanta, GA; 1998)
   Earlier Stephen masterfully sliced his way through Rashid's forces and ended the game by 1. Bf7+!If 1...Rxf7 then white sets up a mating sequence with 2. Qe8+ Kh7 (2... Rf8 3. Qg6#) 3. Qxf7+ Kh6 4. Bf4#. (See game)
   
   
3. Dandridge - Gurevich (Chicagoland Blitz; 1991)
   Marvin and Dmitry both tied for first in this blitz tournament with 14-1, but this game was the highlight of the evening (as Gurevich described it). Marvin is a fierce tactician and snaps the whip with 1. Bxh6!Bxh6 2. Rxh6+! Kxh6 3. Qg5+ Kh7 4. Nef6+ and Black is mated. (See game)
   
   
4. Szpisjak- Adu (World Open, Philadelphia; 2000)
   This game has an elegant finish and it shows the danger of heavy pieces on an open file. The Nigerian (now living in Maryland, USA) plays the thematic 1. . . Rxd4!2. Rb1 (2. Qxd4 Qb2#) 2... Qxb1+!! 3. Kxb1 Rd1+ 4. Qc1 Rb8+. (See game)