Cordingley puzzle 170 #chess

White to play and win

Solution

I have crossed out 'and win' with some hesitancy. Starting first with Houdini, its preference, 1 Nc4 and accept a slight disadvantage, surprised me. It thinks the move played, and the move that I chose (and would choose in a game) is somewhat inferior, with black somewhat better by active defence.

This may be the result of the horizon effect, or show the difference between silicon calculation and carbon emotion. The phalanx of advancing e and f pawns would frighten most blacks, their hope being to sacrifice the knight for one or better still two of them. Houdini shows the way, by actively improving the queen (Qg5+) and creating counter threats (Rh6): instructive, as ever.

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