Cordingley puzzle 69

Black to play and win

Solution

The move I instantly thought of was 1…Qf3! Perhaps the reason that it was instant is that I have seen the position before, I don't know, since from time to time I have read things about Amos Burns; but also 1…Qf3 is not untypical: I am sure that I have seen the motif before.

A quick calculation- if white can castle (Cordingley doesn't say either way), and does, then 2 …Qd3, and black is a piece up. Or if 2 gf, then 2…Nf3+ 3 Kf1 and not my first thought, 3…Nd2+, but 3…Bh3 mate.

Satisfied, I turned to the answer, and it was 1….Bh3! (Exclamation mark for surprise, not value) and Cordingley didn't mention 1…Qf3! Burns move wins easily, of course- 2 Kf1 Bg2+ 3 Kg2 Qf3+ etc, but by no means as elegantly.

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