Daily puzzle

#35 · July 14, 2026
David Howell
David Howell

Another day, another birthday! This time it's the turn of two-time world championship challenger Ian Nepomniachtchi. In this slightly chaotic position, White has only one winning move. How did he defeat the legendary Anatoly Karpov?

Played 2013, in Aeroflot Open (rapid) • Nepomniachtchi vs Karpov • Moscow
Solution

Qxd6+ Kxd6 exf7+ Re6 f8=Q+ Qxf8 Rxf8

Some queen sacrifices lead to checkmating attacks, others are a short-term investment. Here White ends up with an extra bishop just a few moves later - not a bad return on the investment!