Daily Chess Puzzle

Today’s problem is from the recently concluded Gibraltar chess congress, which I enjoyed watching from home: but I thoroughly intend to visit again, as I once managed to do to spectate some years ago. Stuart Conquest and his team run a thoroughly top-notch tournament.

Since the start of 2018, I have decided to adopt the style of only saying which side is to play: and not giving an idea if the move wins or otherwise, unless on occasion I think signposting would be helpful. Instead, the problems are posed with the instruction to decide what you would play, as in a game.

White to play

Adams v Grandelius,

Solution

Mickey doesn’t need mnemonics like Purdy’s  examine all biffs. I imagine most players would have responded to the capture N*d5 which Black has just played by recapturing the Knight, but Mickey plays the far stronger zwischenschach 1 Nh6+! winning a further pawn.

After 1…gh? 2 Qg4+ mates; so 1..Kh8 is forced, met by 2 Qd5 and if 2… Ne6 3 Re1 wins.

(I wondered about 3…Rd8, but it is met by 4 Qd8! and if 4…Qd8, 5 Nf7+ forks the king and queen.

Lovely.

FEN

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