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 is the winning plan?

Aronian v Karjakin, Saint Louis 18th August 2018

Solution

(i) force the h-pawn to h3;

(ii) prevent it from advancing by Kg3

(iii)  advance the q-side pawns, resulting in a passed a pawn.

(iv) Changing of the guard: free up the K by moving the B to the h2-b8 diagonal

(v) advance the king

(v)) Move the king to b6, advance the a pawn, repeat if necessary and win the Bishop, then mop up.

FEN

8/8/4kP2/1p6/3B1KPp/1P6/P5b1/8 b – – 0 56