Cordingley puzzle 6

Black to play and win

White's last move was Nb3-a5.

Solution

This is more of a puzzle, though not a 'pure' one, where the win is fairly clear cut. Instead, I think it is more of a Jacob Aagaard position, by which I mean one capable of intensive analysis, to a depth; and then further analysis to an even greater depth. Jacob, the GM publisher of the first rate Quality Chess stable of books, has become synonymous for me with incredibly penetrating analysis.

I chose what for me was the most natural move, 1…Nf3+, and this turns out to be Houdini's favourite, rather than the game continuation 1…Qa5+. However, my reasoning was faulty, missing white's best defence. I assumed that after exchanging on f3 white would move his rook to f2, pressurising f3, blocking the f3 pawn, but allowing the fairly easy Bg3: white had a far better defence, Rd2, seeking counter attack against the Bd6. After the move played, white missed a defence after which Houdini only gives black a slight advantage. The defence, relies on activity, counter attack, rather than passivity, and there is probably a principle there of some general application.

Since the position is an Aagaard, I imagine the last word hasn't been said on the above position, and it would be a great test position to delve into further. Meanwhile, the actual game continuation resulted in a very pretty forcing sequence at the end, one which made me smile, and for that reason puzzle number 6 deserves a star.

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