Daily Chess Puzzle

Today’s problem is from the April 1979 Chess magazine. I have hundreds (many hundreds) of magazines on my book shelves, and I thought I would dip into them; and thought I would start with going forty years back.

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, played 1 Ne7, met with by 1…Be4. What was Black’s better defence?

Trow v Carr, Southend Easter Congress 1979

Solution

1 Ne7 should have been met by 1…Qb4! when 2 b3? loses to 2…Ke7, so White must play 2 c3 Bc3 3 Re2 Ke7, or 2 e5!? Ke7! 3 a3 Qb6[] 4 ed+ Kf8 both being “three zeros” according to my engine after 5 Ne5.

In fact, after 1…Qb4, both lines are, in human terms, unclear.

FEN

2r1k2r/pp2ppb1/2bp3p/3N1p2/q3P3/3Q1N2/PPP2PPP/1K1RR3 w k – 0 1