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

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