Monday’s puzzle was from the game Alekhine – Yates, played in a tournament at Hastings 100 years ago this week.
The future world champion chose the worst option: 35. Rxf7? Rc1+ 36. Kf2? (36. Rf1+ Kd8 37. Qh8+ Kc7 38. Qf6 Qe3+ 39. Kh2 was also losing) 36… Qh4+ 37. Ke3 Qe1+ 38. Kf3 R8c3+!! 39. bxc3 Rxc3+ 40. Bd3 Qf1+! 41. Ke3 Rxd3+! Qxd3+ 43.Kxd3 Kxf7 with a winning pawn ending.
35. Bxf7+?! should draw, for example 35… Kd8 36. Qh8+ Ke7 37. Qh7 Rc138. Bxd5+ Kd8 39. Qh8+ Kc7 40. Qh7+ Kd8.
35. Qh8+?! is about level after 35… Kd7 36. Bf5+ Qxf5 37. Qxc8+ Rxc8 38. gxf5.
The winning move is 35. Qg8+! Kd7 36. Qxf7+ Kc6 37. Qe6+ Kb7 38. Qxd5+ Rc6 39. Be4 Kb8 40. b4! a6 41. a4!.
Congratulations if you managed to do better than Alekhine and find the correct solution!
Here’s the complete game for you to play to (click any move for a pop-up window):