Daily Chess Puzzle

Today’s problem is a gem seen on Chessbase.com; I thought it worth sharing, and wanted it saved on my site for the delight it gave me.

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

Adhiban v Sethuraman, Tehran 17/7/2008

Solution

1 Qh5! Qd4 2 Qa5!

A beautiful concept, threatening mate, hitting the weakness is Black’s position, the Pc7.

2…Qb6[] 3 Qb6[] cb[] 4 Na4

The game isn’t over, and readers who want to understand the position more should look at the Chessbase article of 3rd May 2019.

FEN

2kr1b1r/1ppbnppp/p1p2q2/8/3NP3/2N3B1/PPP2PPP/R2Q1RK1 w – – 0 12