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

Jobava v Ponomariov, Baku Olympiad 10/9/2016

Solution

This one took me a while to solve- half an hour, almost gave up, before the light bulb moment struck: 1 Bh6! gh 2 Qh6

2..Rc3 3 Qg5+! Kf8 4 Qf6

and the threat of Bf5 (which at first sight looks at the jump-biff to the LPDO Qb6, but is more aimed at the Be6 being tied to defending f7) wins.

Black had a better defence: 1 Bh6 Nh5! 2 Qg5! Nc6 and the game still has to be won.

3 Re6 fe[] 4 Be2 and yes, White is better, but would I beat Magnus Carlsen from here? Not sure I would.

FEN

r1r3k1/4Rppp/pq2bn2/np1p1p2/3P1B2/P1NB3P/1PPQ1PP1/3R2K1 w – – 0 17