Cordingley puzzle 34

White to play and win

Solution

This one surprised me. The first move I thought of was 1 Bg5, and this turns out to be Houdini's strong preference, the only winning move. I didn't analyse much: it was clear the bishop couldn't be taken, because Ng5 mates (or wins the queen), so either f6, which the bishop can take, or queen moves, after which 2 Bh6 is game over.

The surprise was that white instead played 1 Rf6, to which Houdini gives 1…h5!, assessing it as more less equal. Cordingley just gave the game continuation, without any comment.

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