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

Grischuk v Karjakin, Saint Louis Rapid 12/8/2018

Solution

Grischuk played 1 Rd8 and drew; it was my solution, too: 1 Rd8 Rd8 2 h6! was my ‘clever’ move, but 2…Qd1! 3 Qf6 Kf8! is -+, as is 2…Be6 3 Qf6 Bc4+; so 2 h6? is not so clever at all.

But change the move order: 1 h6!! Qe4 2 Rd8!

and it is game over.

A tough puzzle.

FEN

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