Daily Chess Puzzle

Today’s problem is a nice combination from my school mate and club mate Nigel Short. I have followed Nigel’s success for 40 years, and always like it when he wins, especially in style.

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

Short v Khmelniker, Douglas IOM 1/10/17

Solution

1 Rg7+!; and if 1..Qg7, 2 Nh6+ K-h file 3 Nf5+ wins the queen.

So 1…Kg7[] 2 Qc3+

2…Kf7 3 Ne5+ forks king and queen, so 2…Kg8 3 Nh6+ or 2…Kh7 3 Nh6 win.

I wonder how much earlier Nigel saw the combination? His game ‘flowed’ and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he saw the tactic coming many moves before.

FEN

r4rk1/p2R2b1/4p1qp/2pb4/1P2pPN1/6P1/PPQ1B1P1/1K5R w – – 0 29