Daily Chess Puzzle

Today’s problem is a position seen in a recent Daily Telegrah column by Malcolm Pein. Alas, the position stumped me, to my annoyance when I saw what Danny played. I should have been able to find the solution.

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

Gormally v Gourlay, Newcastle 15/2/18

Solution

If I had applied what I know, and particular the lessons from one of my favourite authors, CJS Purdy I would have examined all biffs and found 1 Nd7!!

(had there been a piece on d7, I would have considered it; but Purdy’s examine all biffs mantra should have meant I looked at Nd7, which biffs the Rf8.

If 1…Re8 then 2 dc Bb3 3 cb and the pawn queens: the move Nd7 both hits the Rf8 and looks at the promotion square b8.

Black instead played 1..Qd7 met with by 2 dc bc 3 Qb7 1-0.

FEN

2nq1rk1/1p3bpp/1Nr2p2/p2P4/P7/1QP3P1/5PBP/RR4K1 w – – 0 23