It’s Your Move: daily chess puzzle #219

Black to play and win

Epstein v Veroci, Lipetsk 1968

Solution

A pretty one today, with an unusual motif. It took me a few minutes to spot it, but examine all biffs leads to 1…g5!! and White’s position collapses.

The Bf4 is tied to defending the g3 pawn; if instead the h4 pawn captures, then the h file is opened and Black wins on the light squares. (1 hg) 1…Qh5+ 2 Kg1:

Now, Rf8 threatening R8f4 is the engine’s favourite, but Rf4 as played is crushing too.