Daily Chess Puzzle

Today’s problem is from the AlphaZero- Stockfish match.

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

AlphaZero- Stockfish 6th December 2018 (variation from the game)

Solution

Matthew Sadler and Natasha Regan posed this problem when discussing this game on YouTube with KingsCrusher.

If you love chess, watch the video; and also watch any of the videos Matthew and Natasha are posting about AlphaZero; and KingsCrusher’s videos on Leela AI are also well worth watching.

The solution to today’s problem is beyond beautiful. I failed to solve it.

It starts with 1 Qg7+ Kg8[]. I tried 1 Qe6+ as well as 1 Qg7+, and also tried 1 Bf1. I actually thought 1 Bf1 was best, missing after 1…d3 2 Ng7! 2…f5!! which seems to win for Black. If Black doesn’t play 2…f5, I felt White was on top.

After 1..Ke8 we reach the following position. What next?

I’ll give the answer tomorrow, to give my readers a further opportunity to find the solution for themselves.

FEN

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