allanbeardsworth

Today’s problem is from a recent club match

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

Mick Carroll v Mike Taylor, Great Lever v Stockport 27/2/2019

Solution

Acting captain Mike was the last game to play, and, kibitzing, I was pleased Mike found 1 Rd5+! Ke2[] 2 Rd2+! the point being 2…Kd2[] 3 Ne4+ and 5 Ng3.

With this win, Stockport won a very hard fought match.

FEN

8/2b5/5N2/5R2/8/3kP1p1/3n1PK1/8 w – – 0 1

Today’s problem was 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.

Black to play

Raja v Adhiban, Ahmedabad, 10/2/2020

Solution

1..Bf2+ and after 2 Kf2[] Qg3+ 3 Ke2 Qe3+ the Bd3 falls:

Black’s f pawn is too fast, costing White his N; Black by a precise series of moves was then able to mate White (or could have picked up the Ra4.

A fine game.

FEN

6q1/2p1kp2/pb1p1p1p/1P1P4/4Pp2/2PB1K1P/1P1N1P2/R7 b – – 0 28

Today’s problem was 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.

Black to play

Raja v Adhiban, Ahmedabad, 10/2/2020

Solution

1…Rg2+!!

If I saw this move when playing blitz, maybe I would play it; but if I saw it in classical chess, I doubt I would have confidence in my ability to see all the variations or to play it on intuition.

A fantastic move.

2 Kg2[] Ng6

My engines are saying 3 Rg1 or 3 Nd4 are the best moves, which shows that Black is very much better. White instead played the more human move 3 Kh2 and after 3…Nf4 4 Rg1 seeking to play 5 Rg8+; Adhiban won a fine game.

FEN

1r1qk1r1/4np2/pbpp1p1p/1p1Pp2b/P3P3/2PQ1N1P/1PB2PPK/RN3R2 w – – 0 17

Today’s problem was a puzzle 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

Carissa Yip v Gunina, 2020

Solution

White missed the very hard to see 1 Bf5!!; I certainly wouldn’t have seen it during a game.

1…gf

2 Qf8+ (or 2 Qh8+) and if 2…Rf7 3 Qh6 is a pretty epaulette mate.

Plenty more lines: in Kotov’s terms, there is a thicket of variations, which my readers might wish to explore.

FEN

1Q6/3r3p/2p2kp1/3n1p2/2q5/6PB/5P1P/4R1K1 w – – 0 1

Today’s problem is from one of my recent Chess.com blitz games.

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: played 1 Re5, met with by 1…Qd2; what followed?

Allan Beardsworth v “Sulfogenium”, Russia; 3-0 blitz 26/2/2020

Solution

An easy one today, but one of my favourite little tactics; when I manage to play it, it always makes me smile.

1 Re5 Qd2? 2 Re8+! and since 3 Qh8 mate is threatened, Black loses Q for R.

FEN

3r2k1/p4p2/1pN3pp/1P1q4/8/P3R3/1Q3PPP/5BK1 w – – 0 1