Daily Chess Puzzle

Today’s problem is from the currently ongoing Batumi Olympiad. I am writing this message live as I watch the games, though it will be posted on my site in several days’ time, since I write my blogs some days in advance.

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

Kramnik v Aleksandrov, Russia v Belarus, Round 8, Batumi 2/10/18

Solution

1 Nd5!!

Wow.

Wonderful play by Kramnik.

1…cd[] 2 Rb6+ Kd7[] 3 Bf1!! [] (only move for a winning advantage)

Black is in zugzwang, of sorts.

3…Rb8 4 Bb5+ Kd8[] 5 Rd6 +- ;

3..Re6 4 Rb7+ Kd8[] 5 Bb5 or 5b4;

in the game, 3..Kd8, met with by 4 Bb5 Re4 5 Rb7 Nf6 6 b4 and the a pawn was ready to roll.

Fantastic.

FEN

4r3/1p2rp1p/2pk2b1/p2p1p1n/P2P1N1P/1R2P3/1P1K1PBP/2R5 w – – 0 24
wKd2,Nf4,Bg2,Rb3,c1,Pa4,b2,d4,e3,f2,h2,h4/bKd6,Nh5,Bg6,Re7,e8,Pa5,b7,c6,d5,f5,f7,h7