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

White played 1 Qg3+ which I find very natural, winning the exchange and possibly a pawn (if after 1…Kh8[] 2 Be8 Black plays 2…Bh6). But it is third or fourth best, apparently

1 Rcd1 is preferred; second best is the very odd move 1 Qe3 (though it does prevent Qb6) best is 1 Qh3.

Komodo’s evaluations are not much different: but why would an engine prefer Qh3 to Qg3? Quite simply, I don’t know, and would be interested in any reader’s comments.

I should also add that after 1 Rcd1 the engine’s preference is 1…Bh6: if 1…Qb6, more natural to me, then 2 Be8 Bh6 3 Bf7+! is curtains, since the Pe6 will fall after Rd7+ to Qe6.

FEN

r2qrbk1/1b3p1p/4pp1B/pB2P3/1p6/1Q6/PP3PPP/R3R1K1 w – – 0 20