Daily Chess Puzzle

Today’s position is a ‘classic’ which I have only recently come across.

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

Kholmov v Bronstein, Kiev 23/1/1965

Solution

1 Nc6!!

1…Nc6[] 2 e5!

with the aim of opening up the d3-h7 diagonal. Bronstein played 2…Bg5+ (followed by 3…f6); Kholmov’s analysis suggests 2..Ne5! leads to a position in which White is only better, but better; but the sheer beauty of Nc6 and e5 are hard to beat.

Megabase 2018 has detailed analysis.

FEN

r1b2r1k/4qp1p/p2ppb1Q/4nP2/1p1NP3/2N5/PPP4P/2KR1BR1 w – – 0 18