I like defensive puzzles, which tend to be ignored in most tactics books. Last week I asked you how Black could best meet White’s threats..

The answer is the improbable Qc1. Everything else should lose, but this leads to an equal position. Qa1 or Qb1 would allow Qxe5, when White comes out a piece ahead, but now Qxe5 will be met by Qxh6.

Congratulations to anyone who managed to solve this.

As it’s Christmas, here’s a Christmas Tree for you.

Your computer will probably tell you White can mate in 4 moves. But in fact you can mate in 2 moves here. You’ll need a bit of lateral thinking to work out how. Just the thing to get your brain active after the turkey and Christmas pudding.