Cordingley puzzle 190 #chess

White to play and win

(Don't spend too much time on: the problem is cooked. It is however a worthwhile calculation exercise)

Solution

My solution was 1…Rd2 2 Qd2[] e4 3 fe Be4 with a monstrous position.: and indeed it is, except that 3 Qf4! is a far better defence, when the game is equal- in fact, a perpetual in one fairly forced line.

The game solution 'improved' with 2…Rd8? biffing the queen, forcing it away from f4, and white duly complied with 3 Qe1, when black has an advantage- but not a winning one, since white could have defended better later. However, the active 3 Qb4! is substantially better. By biffing the LPDO bishop white gets time to bring his knight back into the game, protecting e4, and by the strong manoeuvre Na4-c3-d5 white is clearly on top.

So, the problem is cooked, but is nevertheless a good exercise in calculation.

Posted with Blogsy