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.

Black to play

D Lee v J McPhillips. Manchester 2018

Solution

My solution was 1…Qh4+ 2 Kg1 Rg5+ exploiting the pin on the Pf4 because the Qd4 is LPDO.

This wins; but Komodo says 1…Rh5+! 2 Bh5[] Rd2 is even better (at least in terms of numerical assessment.

The game isn’t in Megabase, so I don’t know which continuation Joe chose.

FEN

3r2k1/1p2npp1/p6p/2r4P/4QP2/4P1q1/PP2B3/1R3R1K b – – 0 1