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

V Kramnik v B Gelfand, St. Petersburg 30/4/2013

Solution

I failed with this one, playing the move played in the game, 1 Rd8, with the aim of simplifying to a draw: which happened in the game.

But the engine move 1 Rh8! wins.

It is hard to see why; only by looking at each of Black’s possible defences can it be seen.

For instance:

1…Ra1 2 Rh6 Ne4/c4 3 Rh5 mate; 2…Nf5 3 Re6 mate.

I’ve spent a while looking at alternatives, and figuring out why each lose: none are obvious: I think the problem is in the “fiendish” “silicon only” category.

FEN

1R6/1p6/1R1n4/r2pk3/8/4PK2/8/8 w – – 0 64