Daily Chess Puzzle: Carlsen, 2004

Today’s problem is from the Calvia Olympiad, and is the game Magnus played, aged 13, just before his 14th birthday, on the day I took this photo.

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

Carlsen v Kotronias, Calvia Olympiad, 26/10/2004

Solution

1 Nf6!! examine all biffs Kf6[]

2 Rd6+!!

2…Ke7! (2…Qd6 3 Qe3 hits both g5, which is mate, and the LPDO Ra7: fantastic)

3 Rc6! Qc6[] 4 Qe3

And the conclusion of this series of blows is that White is objectively winning, though Magnus later made one poor move, which allowed Vasilios to draw.

FEN

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