Daily Chess Puzzle

Today’s problem is from the recent Vugar Gashimov memorial in Shamkir, Ajerbaijan

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.

Black to play

Navara v Ding Liren, Shamkir, 26/4/18

Solution

1..b4!

I watched this game online, live, and didn’t appreciate the bite of this move.

2 cb Nd3!

Now it became clear: not only is f2 targetted, but the Q is short of space, and can be trapped by Rc1, and also Nb4 will fork two LPDO pieces.

White resigned after 3 Bd3 cd 4 Ra1 Rc2 when Re2 and taking on f2 follows.

FEN

8/2r2pk1/1q1p2pb/1pnPp2p/2p1P2P/2P3P1/RPB2PK1/4QN2 b – – 0 33