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

S Ansell v J Rowson, London 4/12/2012

Solution

This puzzle took me several sittings; in the game, White played 1 Bf4, the obvious move, and has a slight advantage.

But eventually I found 1 Qe5! Be5 2 g4

2…Bb2! 3 Bb2 Qd5[] 4 Rd5[] ed[]

And I just about assessed this position as better for White, though to be honest, “anyone’s game” is more my judgment. Komodo thinks White is about +1

FEN

r4rk1/pp1b1pb1/4p1pp/3Pn2q/8/5NPP/PP2QPB1/R1BR2K1 w – – 0 16