Daily Chess Puzzle

Today’s problem is from one of my recent 3-0 blitz games, against an IM, handle Neimar24.

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

allanbeard v Neimar24, chess.com 3 minute blitz 6/9/18

Solution

The move I wanted to play was 1 Rd1, trapping the Nd2. But 1…Nf3+ 2 Bf3[] Bf3  and the N can’t take on f3 else the Rd1 is LPDO.

So 1 Rd1 doesn’t work, then?

No: it wins. 3 Ne6+! at the end wins the LPDO Rd8.

An excellent example of a mantra I have recently learned from a video by Sam Shankland.  If you want to play a move, but the opponent is preventing it, look to see what happens if you play it anyway.

Great advice. I actually applied it after first rejecting 1 Rd1.

FEN

3r1k2/1b2pp1p/p5p1/8/3N4/1P2PPP1/P2n2BP/R5K1 w – – 0 1