Daily Chess Puzzle

Today’s problem is from the European Individual Championships.

Dipping into the tournament live on the Follow Chess app (dipping in because I was working that day) I was struck by the pressure Artemiev had in this position, and wondered if was going to convert it. Later, I logged on to see he had, and in style.

As is my custom, I only say 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

Artemiev v Hracek, EIXX 2019 Skopye, 26/3/19

Solution

1 Rg7!! “obvious”, but the continuation isn’t; 1….Kg7[] 2 Rg7+ Kh8[] 3 Nd5!! fabulous!

3…Nd5 4 Bh6 and Black is curiously- or, at first, I found it curious, helpless. The main point is that if 3 Bh6 Rg8 defends, after 4 Rg8+ Ng8[]; the insertion of 3 Nd5 drags the defender away.

In the game, Black played 4…Bf6 and resigned after 5 Qf6+!

Artemiev is clearly a player on the road to greatness.

FEN

r2bbr1k/1p3ppp/p4n2/3pNQ2/3P1B2/P1NR2RP/1q3PP1/6K1 w – – 0 25