Cordingley puzzle 168 #chess

White to play and win

Solution

The move I first thought of was 1 Qe5: threatening Re7, also threatens the Pd5; and looking to b8. Then it depends on how black depends. I thought black s best was 1…Rb7, when white continues with Qd5+ and Nc6, winning the house. Other defences such as 1…Rf8 don't succeed: Re7 and Qg7+ mates or wins the rook.

In the game, black defended better, with 1…Qb7, and the solution is pretty. The idea of Rh1 is simply bringing more pieces to the party, but Rh7 and the conclusion is very nice.

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