Daily Chess Puzzle

Today’s problem is from the November 2019 edition of Chess Magazine. I am posting it because the problem was in the “warm-up puzzles” section. I normally solve all such problems instantly or near-instantly. This one, I just couldn’t solve.

I wonder if my readers think it is easy?

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

Emre Can v Ivan Saric, Konya, Turkey, 20/7/2019

Solution

1…Bd7! 2 Nc5 Bc6! is the trick I missed.

The Queen is lost.

Was it simple? Well, for one thing, Saric, 2681 missed it. I would say the puzzle wasn’t simple. One of the pains of chess is that once seen, the solution does indeed become simple.

FEN

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