Daily Chess Puzzle

Today’s problem is from the recent Grenke Classic.

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.

Black to play

Meier v Carlsen, Baden-Baden 26/4/19

Solution

Watching live, I was assuming 1…Rc8 to challenge on the c-file and clear the long diagonal. But 1…Ra6! instead, an idea I don’t recall seeing before: then Qd8-a8, Rf8-c8, Ra6-c6 and Black has used his pieces so well.

In fact, White regrouped, Nc4-a3-b5, so we reached the following position:

Magnus went on to win a fine game, sacing the Pa5 for central pawns and active pieces. A masterpiece.

FEN

r2q1rk1/1b1nppbp/3p1np1/p7/P1NB4/1P3NP1/4PPBP/2RQ1RK1 b – – 0 14