It’s Your Move: daily chess puzzle #254

White to play and win

Hecht v  B Kristjansson, Reykjavik 1970

Solution

Not too hard, but I totally miffed this one. I played 1 Ncb5, convinced it wins, but part of my reasoning was that after a Nd6+ I could follow up with Rf1-f7; but alas, the R is on g1- so a total fail. I thought the problem was easy, and checked the solution too quickly.

Instead, 1 Bb5+! is the move, partly to vacate f1 the said rook.

In the game, Black didn’t capture, and lumbered on a pawn down: White’s attack was also easier than Black’s play. 1 Bb5+! Kf8 2 Rf1 (threat 3 Ne6+) Kg1 3 h4 and White dominates.

Or 1…ab 2 Ncb5 Qe7 3 Nd6+ Kf8 4 Rf1 with a similarly overwhelming position.