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

Sam Collins v A Braun, Dublin 31/3/2013

Solution

1 Rd6!

for if 1…Kd6, 2 Ba3+ Kc7 3 Qc4+ Kb8 4 Bd6+ Ka7 5 Qc7 and Black is hamstrung.

and 3…Kb6 is worse: 4 Qd4+ Kc7 5 Qd6 mate, for instance.

So Black played the better move 1..ab. I will continue tomorrow.

FEN

r1b4r/1p2kppp/p2bp3/1B3q2/P7/2P3P1/4QP1P/R1BR2K1 w – – 0 19