Cordingley puzzle 144 #chess

Black to play: how can Black best defend himself against the threatened attack, Qh4

Solution

Fairly odd this one. This is the first puzzle in the book (and might be the only one) which isn't a 'play and win' one. Since it was unusual, I immediately realised the answer couldn't be 1…Rd1, the move played in the game, which loses. I saw that after black takes both rooks (1…Rd1 2 Qh4! Rf1+ 3 Ng1 h5 there was no mate, and that white had a fair amount of time, but didn't see (didn't look for) 4 Qg7 Kg7 5 Qh6+!! winning prettily.

Continuing the strangeness, Cordingley only gives the above game continuation. He does not give 1…Ne7 when black can defend: 2 Qh4 h5 3 Qg5 Nf5 or 3 Nh5 Nf5 and black survives, and then with ….e3 black has strong counter play.

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