Daily Chess Puzzle

Today’s problem is from a recent game, seen online.

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: Black resigned here

(i) should Black have resigned?

(ii) make a guess what move number the position is at.

Players: see below

Solution

Yes, Black was right to resign. It is mate in 6 after 1 g7+! Kg7[] 2 Qd7+ Bd7 3 Ne6+

3…Kf6  4  Qe7+ Kg6 5 Rg8+! and mate next move.

It was move 104: this is a game taken from the current TCEC computer chess final between Stockfish and LeelaZero. There had been a few occasions on endless ‘repetition’ throughout this long game.

FEN

2R2Nbk/3n4/3P2Pp/1P2pQ2/4P1PK/8/1r1qB3/8 w – – 0 1