Daily Chess Puzzle

Today’s problem is fthe continuation of yesterday’s game.

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

Andreikin v Gelfand, Hengshui 2019

Solution

1…d5! and the game is over: Black’s rook swings over to a6, and it is mate.

Easy to spot from the air chair. Alas, Boris missed it, playing 1…Re2?, no doubt in time trouble. So he missed playing a masterpiece. After 1…Re2, 2 Qc1! defends everything, and White is a rook up: 1-0.

Chess is cruel; Boris’s 1…b3!! and 3…Bb2!! deserved better.

FEN

6k1/p4pp1/3pr3/2p3P1/1qP2QP1/8/K1P2P2/3R3R b – – 0 6