Daily Chess Puzzle

Today’s problem is from the recent World Blitz and Rapidplay championships in St. Petersburg.

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

Anand v Christiansen, St. Petersburg, blitz 29/1/218

Solution

1 Rc4! to distract the Black Queen from defending e7; 1…Qc4[] 2 Qe7! and since the Re8 is tied to the back rank,  White has won a piece.

FEN

4r1k1/p3r1pp/4P3/2q2pQ1/2n2N2/8/6PP/1RR4K w – – 0 36