No. 1  Composition from Chess Problems: By Theophilus A. Thompson (1873)
Of course in chess problems, many positions are purely academic due to material imbalances and improbable situations. However, these compositions still have a bit of ingenuity and Theophilus Thompson was a respected composer in his day.  In the diagrammed position, white starts 1. Rf6!! entombing the black King in a mating net. If 1. . . Bxf6 then 2. Bg3#; if 1. . . Kxf6 then 2. Bc3#. Well done!

No. 2  Dandridge - Rizzitano (Pan-Am Intercollegiate, Atlanta, GA, 1980)
At the time of this game, (now IM) James Rizzitano was one of America's brightest young stars. In this game, the Boston College student faced a dangerous and under-rated expert in Marvin Dandridge of Chicago State University. Understandably, the game attracted a huge crowd. In the diagrammed position, white seems to be in trouble due to the menacing bishops and the advanced pawns. Black's threat of Ba3 and c1 (Q) seem hard to meet. Of course b2 appears devastating, but Marvin reels off a gem of 1. h4!! The game continued 1. . . bxa2 (if 1. . . b2 then 2.  h5+ Kh7 3. g6+) 2. h5+ Kg7 3. Qc3+ Kf7 4. Kxf5  Bg7 5. Qc7+ and black will not be able to prevent mate. (See game)

No. 3   Goldenberg - Schleifer (Montréal International; 2000)
Some Canadian players call Schleifer's style "rough." However, when seeing his games, one sees power and energy. . . and perhaps a bit of over-ambition. Nevertheless, IM Schleifer plays intriguing chess and is exciting to watch. A move earlier, his opponent sacked a piece for an apparent attack after which the Canadian IM replied 1. . . d3! This move attacks the piece on a4 and sets up a beautiful mating sequence which continued 2. Nc3 Rxg2+! White played 3. Kf1 and resigned after Rg1+!, but on 3. Kxg2 white is mated after Qg4+ 4. Kh1 (4. Kf1 Qh3+ 5. Kg1 Rg8+ 6. Kh1 Qf3#) Qf3+ 5. Kg1 Rg8+ 6. Kf1 Qh1#. (See game)

No. 4  Ashley - Winer (Chicago Open; 2000)
This game was highly theoretical and climaxed with a beautiful sequence starting with 1. Qxh8! After 1. . . Rxh8 white finishes the game crisply with 2. Rd8+ Rxd8 3. Bxd8  Kxd8 4. h8 (Q)+ Be8 5.  Rh7 Qc4 6. Qe5 1-0. (See game)