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, Olympia 4/12/12
Solution
I thought I had solved this position, playing (as Simon played) 1 Bf4 Nf3+ 2 Bf3 Qf5[] (2…Qh3 3 Bg4) but it is nothing much for White, and my engine says it is merely +0.5.
Instead 1 Qe5!? a move I never even considered.
1…Be5? 2 g4+-; so 1…Qe5[] 2 Ne5 Be5 3 Bh6 with slightly more of an edge.
If I could only adhere to CJS Purdy’s maxim, which I know so well, examine all biffs, maybe I would have found 1 Qe5. But, alas, even with it being a problem, I didn’t. That’s chess.
FEN
r4rk1/pp1b1pb1/4p1pp/3Pn2q/8/5NPP/PP2QPB1/R1BR2K1 w – – 0 16
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
G Jones v R Panjwani, Hastings 30/12/2012
Solution
1 Bg6! fg[] 2 Nh6
and Black’s dis-coordination accounts for more than his slight material advantage; White captures the Pg6 next move, and can then bring more pieces to the party by advancing his f pawn.
FEN
r1bqrk2/1pp2p1B/3pn1pp/2n2N2/p1P2P2/P1B1P3/1PQ3PP/R2R2K1 w – – 0 20
Today’s problem is from the recent Tata Steel Chess India Blitz.
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
Carlsen v Aronian, Tata Steel Chess India Blitz, Kolkata, November 2019
Solution
1 Rc2!! a move I might never consider, even in classical time control. Suddenly, all becomes clear: the Pa7 promotes, protecting g2, and White wins.
FEN
8/P4pkp/2Rp2p1/8/8/7P/1r3rP1/R5K1 w – – 0 1
Today’s problem is from the recent Saint Louis Winter tournament.
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
Oparin v Gauzyan, Saint Louis Winter tournament, 11/11/2019
Solution
White played 1 Qa4 which retains the edge, but 1 Qf6!! was far stronger.
I think it is too deep except for an elite grandmaster or other very strong tactician. One sample line:
1…Bf6 2 ef Qc5+ 3 Bd4! and if the game is simplifed, White has a winning ending.
The game came to my attention through following Jonathan Tishall on Twitter.
FEN
5r1k/p1p1q1b1/1rQ3pp/3BPbN1/2P2p1P/2B2P2/PP6/3RR1K1 w – – 0 25
Today’s problem is a study seen on Twitter.
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
Study, Tweeted by Olimpiu G Urcan, unattributed
Solution
Olimpiu G Urcan is always interesting to follow on Twitter, where his handle is @olimpiuurcan.
Most of his studies are too hard for me to solve quickly: and are in my pile to “solve some time” -a pile which grows, and never gets smaller.
This one was easier, as he said, and also is nice to solve.
1 Bh6! Rh6+ [] 2 Kf7 Rg8 3 Rd8+ Rg8[] 4 Rg8 mate.
Pretty.
FEN
7k/7p/4K3/8/8/7r/3B4/3R4 w – – 0 0
Today’s problem is from an old edition of the British Chess Magazine.
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: in yesterday’s puzzle, I thought 1 Kh3 was the solution, with a stalemate after 1…Kf3 2 Bh5+ Nh5. But I was wrong: why?
Boris Gelfand v S Movsesian, Batumi 3/12/19
Solution
After 1 Kh3 Kf3 2 Bh5+ Black is not forced to capture, but promotes his pawn after 2…Kf2!
FEN
8/5Bn1/8/7p/5k1P/6p1/6K1/8 w – – 0 90
Today’s problem is from an old British Chess Magazine.
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
Boris Gelfand v S Movsesian, Batumi 3/12/19
Solution
1 Bd5! and it is a draw; 1…Kg4 2 Bc6 Kh4 3 Bd7 and the Pg3 falls.
I got null points on this: but Boris found it, of course!
FEN
8/5Bn1/8/7p/5k1P/6p1/6K1/8 w – – 0 90
Today’s problem is from the recent Superbet tournament.
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 and draw
Caruana v Karjakin, Superbet Bucharest, 7/11/19
Solution
The crucial position: Sergei blundered, played 1…Kh7? and after 2 Kf6, Kh6 was forced to prevent Kg5, and then 3 Nd4! wins.
Instead, 1…Bc7 2 Kf6 Ba7! draws: when the White king is on f6, the Black king must be on h6 and the bishop on the a7-g1 diagonal, blocking Nd4-f5.
The theme has elements of “corresponding squares” to it.
FEN
1b6/5K2/7k/7p/7P/6P1/4N3/8 b – – 0 24
Today’s problem is from the recent Superbet tournament in Bucharest.
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: think of a plan to try to win (though the ending is drawn)
Caruana v Karjakin, Superbet Bucharest, 7/11/19
Solution
I came across this ending whilst on Twitter, listening to the commentary of the final few moves. The commentators consistently said “draw” “why is he playing on” “why doesn’t he conserve his energy” until a moment after the win became self-evident. (I don’t know to save a link to a video on Twitter)
Wonderful persistence by Fabiano.
His ‘trick’ – or, rather, skill, was to find the position whereby a Nf5+ (from where it defends the Pg3) permits a Kg5:
The ending is well worth playing through and understanding.
FEN
8/8/6k1/7p/2N1K2P/2b3P1/8/8 w – – 0 2
Today’s problem is from an old edition of the British Chess Magazine
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
Milov v Gelfand, Kirovabad 1 1984
Solution
1…Kc4 (1…Kb3 also wins, but Kc4 is simpler) 2 Ke4 g2 3 Bh2 b4 4 Kf3 b3 and one of the pawns queens.
FEN
8/8/8/1p2B1p1/1k2n3/5KpP/8/8 w – – 0 64
allanbeardsworth 