Daily Chess Puzzle

Today’s problem is from the current European Club Championship in Halkidiki

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.

Black to play

Bates v Vitiugov, Halkidiki, October 2018

Solution

Black could have played (but didn’t- the game went on, erupting in different ways) 1…Re3! -+

If 2 fe (else White is down a pawn) 2…Qe3+ 3 Kh1[] g5! 4 Qh2[] Qd3

and Black dominates.

FEN

4rn2/1p2qpk1/p1p1rnp1/3p3p/3P3Q/3BP1P1/PP2NPP1/2R2RK1 b – – 0 21
wKg1,Qh4,Ne2,Bd3,Rc1,f1,Pa2,b2,d4,e3,f2,g2,g3/bKg7,Qe7,Nf6,f8,Re6,e8,Pa6,b7,c6,d5,f7,g6,h5