Daily Chess Puzzle

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

Carlsen v Ghaem Maghami, Baku Olympiad 2016

Solution

1 b4! Qb4 2 Nd3! and the Q can’t move because of 3 Qd6+; so 3…Ne4[] 4 Nb4 Ng3[] 5 fg

and White is much better.

FEN

2r3r1/pp2kpp1/2b1pn1p/2q1N3/2N3P1/4P1Q1/PP3PP1/2R2RK1 w – – 0 21