Daily Chess Puzzle

Today’s problem was seen on Twitter, a tweeter posting he had seen the position on Puzzle Rush. It is a gem worth sharing.

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

unknown, Puzzle Rush

Solution

1 Qc6! hitting the LPDO Nd7; if either rook moves to d8 to defend it, or the N moves, there is the same consequence. Let us use 1…Nf6: 2 Nd5!

And White wins a piece: 2…Qc6 3 Ne7+ forks the king and the LPDO Queen.

Lovely.

FEN

1r3rk1/p2nbppp/4p3/P7/3P4/2N2Q2/1Pq2PPP/R1B2RK1 w – – 0 1