Today’s problem is from the 1972 book “Chess Combination as a Fine Art”, a book based on articles published in the 1950s-1960s by Kurt Richter.
Since the start of 2018, I have decided to adopt the style of only saying 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
Polugaevsky v Szilagyi, Moscow 5/6/1960
Solution
A nice deflection seals the win. After the obvious 1 Rg1+ Kh6, 2 Bf8+!! gives White time to play (after 2…Rf8[]) 3 Rd3.
FEN
r2r4/1p1R3p/5pk1/b1B1Pp2/p4P2/P7/1P5P/1K1R4 w – – 0 31
To start 2018, I will on most days post positions, moves, or games that have given me pleasure during 2017. I will intersperse these with two further items: (i) problems from the 1972 book “Chess Combination as a Fine Art”, a book based on articles published in the 1950s-1960s by Kurt Richter; (ii) a pot pourri of puzzles taken from my years of newspaper clippings, printouts and other pieces of paper which I have collated over the years. I have piles of the latter, and made a new year’s resolution to go through them, clearing out those which no longer interest me. I hope to find some gems in these old papers.
I have decided to adopt the style of only saying which side is to play: and not giving an idea if the move wins or otherwise. Instead, the problems are posed with the instruction to decide what you would play, as in a game.
White to play: what would you choose?
Bu v Carlsen, FIDE World Cup, Tiblisi 10/9/17
Solution
The game which knocked Magnus out of the World Cup. Bu only needed a draw in this game and found the wonderful move 1 Nd7!! which forced a further simplification.
A good example of Purdy’s maxim “examine all biffs”. I doubt I would even have considered the move, even though in my studying I know the maxim.
FEN
r2q1rk1/pb3ppp/3bpn2/2p1N3/Q1P5/8/PP2BPPP/R1BR2K1 w – – 0 17
To start 2018, I will on most days post positions, moves, or games that have given me pleasure during 2017. I will intersperse these with two further items: (i) problems from the 1972 book “Chess Combination as a Fine Art”, a book based on articles published in the 1950s-1960s by Kurt Richter; (ii) a pot pourri of puzzles taken from my years of newspaper clippings, printouts and other pieces of paper which I have collated over the years. I have piles of the latter, and made a new year’s resolution to go through them, clearing out those which no longer interest me. I hope to find some gems in these old papers.
I have decided to adopt the style of only saying which side is to play: and not giving an idea if the move wins or otherwise. Instead, the problems are posed with the instruction to decide what you would play, as in a game.
White to play
Duda v Ivanchuk, FIDE World Cup, Tbilisi, 8/9/17
Solution
1 Qh1+ Kd4 2 Qe4+!! Ke4 1/2
A lovely way to draw.
FEN
7Q/8/8/p7/P3k3/4b3/4K3/6q1 w – – 0 74
To start 2018, I will on most days post positions, moves, or games that have given me pleasure during 2017. I will intersperse these with two further items: (i) problems from the 1972 book “Chess Combination as a Fine Art”, a book based on articles published in the 1950s-1960s by Kurt Richter; (ii) a pot pourri of puzzles taken from my years of newspaper clippings, printouts and other pieces of paper which I have collated over the years. I have piles of the latter, and made a new year’s resolution to go through them, clearing out those which no longer interest me. I hope to find some gems in these old papers.
I have decided to adopt the style of only saying which side is to play: and not giving an idea if the move wins or otherwise. Instead, the problems are posed with the instruction to decide what you would play, as in a game.
Black to play (board presented normal way up)
Kravtsiv v Ding Liren, FIDE World Cup Tbilisi, 8/9/17
Solution
I am sure there are several ways to win, but Ding Liren did so elegantly. 1…Rb2+ 2 Kc4[] a2 3 Rh8 Rc2+ 4 Kb3 a1(N) mate.
FEN
8/8/8/k7/1p5R/pK6/5r2/8 b – – 0 107
To start 2018, I will on most days post positions, moves, or games that have given me pleasure during 2017. I will intersperse these with two further items: (i) problems from the 1972 book “Chess Combination as a Fine Art”, a book based on articles published in the 1950s-1960s by Kurt Richter; (ii) a pot pourri of puzzles taken from my years of newspaper clippings, printouts and other pieces of paper which I have collated over the years. I have piles of the latter, and made a new year’s resolution to go through them, clearing out those which no longer interest me. I hope to find some gems in these old papers.
I have decided to adopt the style of only saying which side is to play: and not giving an idea if the move wins or otherwise. Instead, the problems are posed with the instruction to decide what you would play, as in a game.
To start the year, who else to start with then someone I have followed for over 40 years, my old school mate Nigel Short.
Black to play: what did Nigel play against the Kopec system?
N Becker v Nigel Short, World Senior Championships, 24/4/17
Solution
Nigel played 1…g5!?, a move I doubt I would have considered. White took the bait, after which Nigel got an immediate attack on the kingside. The game is in Megabase 2017 and TWIC.
FEN
rnbqkb1r/pp2pppp/3p1n2/2p5/4P3/2PB1N2/PP1P1PPP/RNBQK2R b KQkq – 0 4
For the last few years I have, each day, posted a problem from one of a series of chess puzzle books. I have now chosen the next one to use, but before I start that series, I am going to introduce a bit of variety into my daily postings, by picking a pot pourri of chess highlights from 2017.
There is no structure to these selections: the common theme is that they are all positons or games that I have enjoyed, found interesting, or been amazed at during 2017.
I hope my readers find this series enjoyable: either being reminded of moves or games they enjoyed during the year, or by being introduced to interesting, challenging, or fun positions for the first time.
Black to play
Solution
Let the fireworks begin! Ding Liren played 1…dc, sacrificing his Queen. The rest of the game was a fire storm. I wonder how much Ding Liren saw, and to what extent he counted on intuition. But an amazing game, which other commentators on Twitter showered with praise.
FEN
The game is on my Chessbase Cloud database.
Comments
If any reader spots typos, faults, or (more positively) has comments, please add them. Such comments help the quality of the blog and are always appreciated. Thank you.
For the last few years I have, each day, posted a problem from one of a series of chess puzzle books. I have now chosen the next one to use, but before I start that series, I am going to introduce a bit of variety into my daily postings, by picking a pot pourri of chess highlights from 2017.
There is no structure to these selections: the common theme is that they are all positons or games that I have enjoyed, found interesting, or been amazed at during 2017.
I hope my readers find this series enjoyable: either being reminded of moves or games they enjoyed during the year, or by being introduced to interesting, challenging, or fun positions for the first time.
Black to play: what would you choose?
Solution
Levon, my player of the year, played the fantastic 1…Nef6!!. It relies on CJS Purdy’s theme “potassium cyanide”.
The forking of the two pieces on e4 and g4 make the combination work. Fantastic.
I could pick countless of Levon’s games: he has had a fantastic year, including, of course, marrying Arianne Caoili.
Picture source Chessbase.
FEN
The game is on my ChessBase cloud database.
Comments
If any reader spots typos, faults, or (more positively) has comments, please add them. Such comments help the quality of the blog and are always appreciated. Thank you.
For the last few years I have, each day, posted a problem from one of a series of chess puzzle books. I have now chosen the next one to use, but before I start that series, I am going to introduce a bit of variety into my daily postings, by picking a pot pourri of chess highlights from 2017.
There is no structure to these selections: the common theme is that they are all positons or games that I have enjoyed, found interesting, or been amazed at during 2017.
I hope my readers find this series enjoyable: either being reminded of moves or games they enjoyed during the year, or by being introduced to interesting, challenging, or fun positions for the first time.
Black to move: what would you play?
So-Rapport, Tata Steel, 16/1/2017
Solution
Following yesterday’s puzzle from this game, another startling move: 1….Bc1!! I watched the game live on Playchess; if I recall correctly, Richard didn’t take long in playing this move: I didn’t have time to choose what I would have played, but I doubt I would have considered it: alas, I self-deselect such amazing moves.
FEN
The game is on my Chessbase Cloud.
Comments
If any reader spots typos, faults, or (more positively) has comments, please add them. Such comments help the quality of the blog and are always appreciated. Thank you.
For the last few years I have, each day, posted a problem from one of a series of chess puzzle books. I have now chosen the next one to use, but before I start that series, I am going to introduce a bit of variety into my daily postings, by picking a pot pourri of chess highlights from 2017.
There is no structure to these selections: the common theme is that they are all positons or games that I have enjoyed, found interesting, or been amazed at during 2017.
I hope my readers find this series enjoyable: either being reminded of moves or games they enjoyed during the year, or by being introduced to interesting, challenging, or fun positions for the first time.
White to play: what would you play? what candidate moves would you consider?
So-Rapport, Tata Steel, 16/1/2017
Solution
Wesley played 19 f3, followed by 20 g4 and 21 Rh1, and won a fine game. But apparently 19 Rh1!! is even stronger. I would never, ever, consider such a move. But once seen, it makes sense. Chess is a limitless game.
Tomorrow’s puzzle is another move from the same game.
FEN
The game is on my ChessBase cloud database.
Comments
If any reader spots typos, faults, or (more positively) has comments, please add them. Such comments help the quality of the blog and are always appreciated. Thank you.
Now that my solving of the puzzles from Matni Udar has finished, for the next few weeks I will post my selection of the pick of the best problems.
For those who follow my blog daily, hopefully they will either boost confidence if you remember the solution, or will give you another challenging puzzle; and in both cases, I hope you will have renewed pleasure from seeing an interesting problem.
In due course, I will start a new series; I think I have chosen the book to use, but will make my final decision shortly.
Solution
The solution is here.
allanbeardsworth 