Daily Chess Puzzle Chess magazine

Today’s problem is from an old edition of Chess Magazine. I don’t know which one, because, as is my habit, from time to time I photocopy a page to solve on walks or on trains etc; and my copy doesn’t show the magazine date.

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

D Mason v C Gibson, West Bromwich 26/1/13

Solution

1 Ne5! double attack: Nd7 and Qg3+ 1…Ne5 2 de Bf8 and 3 Qh6+, 4 Be8 +-

Typically, the engines improve on White’s play, thinking 2 Qg3 is second best. I will look at this further tomorrow.

FEN

r2q1rk1/1b1n1p1p/3bpp2/pB6/1p1P4/1Q3N2/PP1B1PPP/R3R1K1 w – – 0 17