Daily Chess Puzzle

Today’s problem is from the recent Aeroflot Open.

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: analyse 21…Nc5

Pranesh M v Savchenko B, Aeroflot Open, Moscow, 20/2/2020

Solution

White is 13 years old, 2425, but beat Boris Savchenko in 21 moves.

Black resigned here, the culmination of yesterday’s game; if 1…Nc5 then 2 Qc8+! Bc8[] 3 Nd6+ and White is the exchange and a better position up; or, better 2 Nd6+! Kd8 3 Qb6+ and 4 Nf5 +-

FEN

2r1kb1r/1Q1nppp1/1p2b3/1N1p1qP1/5B1p/7P/PPP2PB1/R3R1K1 b k – 0 21