Ivanchuk, Vassily – Van Wely, Loek (Prague, 2002), presented by Andreas
White to move. How should White proceed?
br2q1k1/2Q3pp/P3pn2/8/8/2NpB3/1P3RPP/6K1 w – – 0 32
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
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1. Rxf6 gxf6 2. Fh6 looks good.
I agree with Pitor. Qg6 seems to be the move to prevent mate which leaves the rook hanging on b8 with a decisive attack.
1. Rxf6 screams to be played, grabbing the piece (1. … gxf6 invites 2. Bh6), but what are Black’s responses? I see only 1. … Rxb2 2. Rf2. The game can go a few different directions here, but Black is stuck a piece down without any game shifting tactics on the horizon, and no obvious way to force the pawn to promotion.
Various moves win, but the move I initially considered is best (Rxf6). I credit the training tool CTART 3.0 with helping me look for aggressive moves first.
By the way, it was nice to meet you at the National JHS Championship in Dallas. My son appreciated getting your autograph.