Daily Chess Puzzle

Today’s problem is from the recent Superbet tournament in Bucharest.

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: think of a plan to try to win (though the ending is drawn)

Caruana v Karjakin, Superbet Bucharest, 7/11/19

Solution

I came across this ending whilst on Twitter, listening to the commentary of the final few moves. The commentators consistently said “draw” “why is he playing on” “why doesn’t he conserve his energy” until a moment after the win became self-evident. (I don’t know to save a link to a video on Twitter)

Wonderful persistence by Fabiano.

His ‘trick’ – or, rather, skill, was to find the position whereby a Nf5+ (from where it defends the Pg3) permits a Kg5:

The ending is well worth playing through and understanding.

FEN

8/8/6k1/7p/2N1K2P/2b3P1/8/8 w – – 0 2