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: examine 1…Qd4, as played in the game
Bates v Vitiugov, Halkidiki, October 2018
Solution
Black should have played 1…Rd4, as shown yesterday. Black’s 1…Qd4 won in the game, after White played 2 Nf4, but 2 Qg4!! leads to near equality.
2… hg 3 ed fg 4 Ra6 or 4 d5, and the game is balanced.
FEN
4r3/3q1pkn/p1R3N1/7p/1P1Pr1nQ/P3P1P1/5PP1/2R3K1 b – – 0 31