A puzzle of sorts

A puzzle of sorts

Only Chess

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Dave

S.Yorks.England

Joined
18 Apr 10
Moves
83849
22 Jun 20

There was an interesting "puzzle" in my newspaper this weekend.
It's from an actual game and the question is "white's best move" so it's not a "checkmate in n" type puzzle I could put in the puzzle section.
Apparently Stockfish found the "best move"eventually and a human came up with the same answer after several hours of analysing with the help of a computer!!.
I think some on here would be interested.
White to play
After the move there's still several moves before a checkmate or winning position situation as there's quite a few logical continuations.
I think I have got the "fen" right , after Russ told me how to do it and I could put the move as a "hidden" I think, but first I thought some of you experts might want a go without the temptation
Here goes:-

E

Joined
12 Jul 08
Moves
13814
22 Jun 20
1 edit

@venda

I looked at this for 30 seconds and would play Qe1

Dave

S.Yorks.England

Joined
18 Apr 10
Moves
83849
22 Jun 20

@eladar said
@venda

I looked at this for 30 seconds and would play Qe1
You would be wrong

K

Joined
24 Dec 19
Moves
3555
22 Jun 20
2 edits

your intro doesn't inspire confidence that I'll be able to solve this but how about

1. Bd7, threatening both the rook and a b5 push, with Ra1 to follow.

E

Joined
12 Jul 08
Moves
13814
22 Jun 20

@venda said
You would be wrong
Figured

E

Joined
12 Jul 08
Moves
13814
22 Jun 20

@KingMe

I considered that one too.

c

Joined
19 Aug 12
Moves
4076
22 Jun 20

I can't see an immediate winning position for white or black. White can try Bf5 then Qh3 to Qg4 but black will have Bxe2 and also black is threatening the b pawn and once black can get to c5 he can attack f2.

I don't like the position for either black or white i.e Queen on F1 or Queen on a8.

e4

Joined
06 May 08
Moves
42492
22 Jun 20

@venda said
[fen]q2rr1k1/2R1bpp1/bp5p/3pB3/1P2n3/5NPB/4PP1P/3R1QK1 w - - 0 1 [/fen]


b5 and if Bxb5 Ra1 the BQ is short of squares with a few tactical shots on.

E

Joined
12 Jul 08
Moves
13814
22 Jun 20
1 edit

@greenpawn34

Why not simply return the bishop to a6?

Seems Ra1 would do the same job without giving up the pawn.

E

Joined
12 Jul 08
Moves
13814
22 Jun 20
1 edit



1.Bd7 Rf8 2.Bc6 Qb3 3.Re7

I think that looks bad for black

So 1.Bd7 Rxd7 1.Rxd7 wins the exchange for white and escapes a worse road for black.

e4

Joined
06 May 08
Moves
42492
23 Jun 20

HI Eladar,

The pawn sac gains a tempo. If White plays Ra1 right away it is Black's move.

If after Ra1 Black plays Ba6 it is White's move. (the most powerful thing
in chess is having the move. Bonstein said that.)

I may not be on the right track but is where I looking. The pawn sac is a forcing
move, it cannot be ignored, The BQ is short of squares. I tried to connect the two.

E

Joined
12 Jul 08
Moves
13814
23 Jun 20

E

Joined
12 Jul 08
Moves
13814
23 Jun 20

Looks like your line forces the discovered attack on the queen as white takes black' s bishop with his rook.

e4

Joined
06 May 08
Moves
42492
23 Jun 20

Hi Eladar,

Don't know If I am anywhere near close. Opening post indicates it is deep.
I just look for forcing moves, checks, pawn and piece sacs and go from there.
The clues hints it is not a tactical two move trick.

Dave

S.Yorks.England

Joined
18 Apr 10
Moves
83849
23 Jun 20

@kingme said
your intro doesn't inspire confidence that I'll be able to solve this but how about
[hidden] 1. Bd7, threatening both the rook and a b5 push, with Ra1 to follow. [/hidden]
Not correct I'm afraid