Daily Chess Puzzle: Under the Surface

My ‘book of the year’ for 2018 may already be decided, or at least there is a contender which will prove hard to beat.

I am writing this blog whilst on holiday in Turkey, and I had great pleasure during it reading Jan Markos’ new book ‘Under the Surface’, publishes by Quality Chess.

It is one of those books which merits a re-read, and I think if I do so, I will gain fresh insights. Markos, a Slovakian GM who before learning of this book I had not heard of, writes really well, insightfully, and has ‘something to say’ to his readers. Highly recommended.

Black to play and draw

Markos v Rausis, Kallithea 2008

Solution

One of my favourite pieces of writing from the book; though I could have chosen many.

Because the book is recently published, I won’t give the solution, but what I will say is: if you have found the solution, and know why it is the solution, then well done! Markos’ explanation of what his opponent missed is exemplary. (Page 79, hardback edition).