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: what else did Magnus have, other than the move he played, 1 b4

Carlsen v Ghaem Maghami, Baku Olympiad 2016

Solution

Whilst I gave 1 b4 as the solution a couple of days ago, being what Magnus played, 1 Nf7! was my solution to the puzzle and is just as strong, if not better. In fact, Komdo prefers 1 Nf7 (2.54) Rfd1 (2.2) to b4 (1.4).

1 Nf7! Ne4 (say) 2 Qf4 and if 2…Rgf8 3 Nd6. The computer’s line is 2…g5 3 Qh2 Bb5 4 Nfe5:

FEN

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