Problem of the Day

Let's get things rolling again with an easy problem:

White to play and win

Annotated Game

I would like to apologize to the visitors of this blog about the complete lack of new content. Unfortunately I have recently dedicated most of my time to non-chessic activities, but of course there are always a couple of nice games being played here and there. Here is a not so serious correspondence tournament game:

N.N - Lassila, T. (A13 - English Opening)

1.Nf3 e6
2.c4 d5
3.cxd5 exd5

The first three moves set off the strategic landscape of the game. White will attempt to control the center while Black enjoys easy development of his bishops.

4.b3 Nf6
5.Bb2 Bd6
6.g3 O-O

White's double fianchetto is a natural idea for hobbyists of flank openings. The plan is to only occupy the center with pawns once the time is ripe.

7.Bg2 Nc6
8.O-O Re8

Black prepares to play down the semi-open e-file.

9.d3 Qe7
10.Re1 Bg4

I thought that this move might have been too committal. 10...Bf5 is an alternative.

11.h3 Bh5!?

Perhaps less risky was 11...Bf5.

12.a3 Ne5

White wastes a tempo so it's time to prepare for c7-c6.

13.Nbd2 c6

13.Nxe5 Bxe5 14.Bxe5 Qxe5 would make the White queen side look ridiculous.

Position after 13...c6

14.Nh4 Bg6

14.Nh4 looks strong on surface, because there are pseudo-threats like f2-f4-f5, but Qe3+ stops all attempts at trapping a piece with pawns. Black could have held on to his bishop with 14...Qe6.

15.Nxg6 Nxg6

The White bishops threaten to become a nuisance, but fortunately all the Black minors are nicely placed.

16.Nf3 Rad8
17.Qc2 Ne5

With ideas of pinning the knight with Qc3, but White should do something about the e-file battery.

18.Nd4 Bc7
19.Rac1 Bb6

The bishop has been reactivated from a square where it was potentially hanging.

20.b4 h6

Position after 21...h6

21.Nb3?? Bxf2+! 0-1

Omitting 21.e3 is a game ending blunder. White could not stomach 22.Kxf2 Neg4+! 23.hxg4 Nxg4+ 24.Kg1 Qe3+ 25.Kh1 Qxg3 leading to mate and therefore the only response would have been 22.Kf1 Nh5 etc.