Daily Chess Puzzle

Today’s problem was one seen on Twitter. A variation in game 9 of the Carlsen-Caruana match, Tweeted by Judit Polgar as a mate in 7. I found it very satisfying to solve.

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: mate in 7

variation from Carlsen v Caruana, match game 9, London 21 Nov 2018

Solution

1 Rh7+! (obvious, almost an “only move” given the problem is a mate in n) 1…Kh7 []

And now, not my first, second, third…choice, 1 Qh4+ -which I could tell loses after 1…Kg6 but kept trying to make it work, and also kept trying to find the killer (which turns to be 6 Bb7+ in the Kg7 and check-check-check hunt secondary line).

But, by not giving up, I eventually found 2 Bg8!! (again, examine all biffs) and it all immediately fell into place. It is now an easy mate in at most 6.

FEN

3rr2k/p1p4p/1b6/3Bqp2/2Q5/4P1p1/P4PK1/3R3R w – – 0 30