Cordingley puzzle 109 #chess

White to play and win

Solution

The first move is obvious, and Houdini confirms that 1 Nf6+ is best, and it certainly wins after 1…Kh8? or after 1…gf 2 ef Ng6. However, black has a tougher defence in 2…Qe6 when in the line I show below, white ends a pawn up, with a rook on the seventh to boot, but would I win it against Carlsen? Possibly, but possibly not, black has enough activity after exchanging the advanced white rook off, with some play perhaps against Pg2, so I would have clear capacity to mess up. Better yes, clearly; winning, yes, between equal grandmasters, but with chances for black at my level.

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