For most of us it’s been a strange and difficult year. Let’s hope next year will be an improvement and at some point we’ll be able to meet up in person again, and perhaps even play some over the board matches against other clubs.

All I can do for the moment is share with you this rather pretty Christmas Tree.

White to play and mate in 2 moves (Pal Benko Chess Life 1975).

I was going to suggest you solve this over your Christmas turkey, but then the whole year has been a bit of a turkey, hasn’t it?

Stay safe and do the best you can to enjoy what is supposed to be the festive season.