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: Black has just played Ne5-c4

Ivanchuk v Djukic, Ukraine v Montenegro,  Round 9, Batumi 3/10/18

Solution

I am blogging this live; and not far into the session, had just logged in. As is my habit, I follow England, plus some of the very top matches, plus some favourite players like Chucky.

I was surprised to see 1-0, 26: most of the other games in the round were not much out of the opening. But the game was lots of Yugoslav Dragon, and then 1…Nc4??

2 Rc4 Rc4[] 3 Bg7 resigns!

Maybe a bit premature, but rook moves, Bh6, Bc2, likely followed by Bf5-e6, and it is either mate or the a and b pawns push.

FEN

1rr3k1/p3p1bp/3p4/3P1pp1/1Rn5/1BB2P2/PP1R2PP/1K6 w – – 0 25
wKb1,Bb3,c3,Rb4,d2,Pa2,b2,d5,f3,g2,h2/bKg8,Nc4,Bg7,Rb8,c8,Pa7,d6,e7,f5,g5,h7