Daily Chess Puzzle

I saw today’s problem in a recent edition of my favourite magazine, Chess.

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

Vakhidov v Nasuta, Newcastle 15/2/18

Solution

A beautiful first move: 1 Be6+!!; it took me a while, during a long walk in the Lake District, to solve this puzzle; but when I did, I was delighted.

I imagine if I had yet again remembered Purdy’s maxim about threats I would have found it far more quickly.

Imagine the threat could not possibly be executed. Then what would be my best move? Try out each attractive move separately, considering each one as follows. Visualise the whole position as it would be after this move of yours, and then work out whether the opponent would gain by executing his ‘threat’.

Or Purdy’s admonition to examine all biffs.

If 1…Be6 2 Qd8+ Kg7 3 Qf8 mate.

Or if 1… Kh8 2 Ng6+! hg 3 Qh6+ 1-0.

FEN

6k1/1p2q2p/6p1/pn1np1Q1/4P2N/1Pr3PB/7P/5RK1 w – – 0 33