Chess Puzzle of the Week (87): Solution

puzzle87

I left you with this position from the RJCC database last week. Black’s first two moves are pretty obvious but I really wanted some detailed analysis of White’s best defences.

1… Bxe4+ 2. Bxe4 Qa7 3. Kc1 (3. Rc1 Ra1+ 4. Kc2 Qa2+ 5. Kd1 Qxb3+ 6. Bc2 Qf3+ 7. Kd2 Qc3+ 8. Kd1 Qd4+ and wins) 3… Ra2 (the only winning move) 4. Bc2 (White’s planning to defend along the 3rd rank with Rh3 so Black has to act fast. 4… Rxc2+ 5. Kxc2 Qa2+ 6. Kc1 Qa1+ 7. Kc2 Qc3+ 8. Kb1 Qxb3+ 9. Kc1 Qc3+ 10. Kb1 b3 11. Rc1 Qd2 12. Rc3 Qa2+ 13. Kc1 b2+ and wins.

You can see why I thought this wasn’t really suitable for a book for lower graded players. I’m sure you worked it all out, though.