Daily Chess Puzzle

Today’s problem is from the recent Superbet tournament.

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 and draw

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

Solution

The crucial position: Sergei blundered, played 1…Kh7? and after 2 Kf6, Kh6 was forced to prevent Kg5, and then 3 Nd4! wins.

Instead, 1…Bc7 2 Kf6 Ba7! draws: when the White king is on f6, the Black king must be on h6 and the bishop on the a7-g1 diagonal, blocking Nd4-f5.

The theme has elements of “corresponding squares” to it.

FEN

1b6/5K2/7k/7p/7P/6P1/4N3/8 b – – 0 24