1st May 2002
From an old game between two grandmasters.
White is a pawn down - what is his best move?

This position is from an old grandmaster match between Bernstein and Capablanca, 1914, but with colours reversed. It is a study in 'back rank mates' - where the castled king is hemmed in by the pawns which are protecting him from frontal attack.

a) Qb3 - b8+ This does not quite force a win - black blocks with his queen and then white cannot try Rd8 to win thequeen because ofblack's reply Rc1 mate. Even so it is a good try. 3 points
b) Qb3 - b7 The stunning move that Capablanca played. The point being that Qxb7 allows Rd8 mate, Rc7 allows Qb8+ Qf8 Qxc7 and Qe8 allows Qxc6 Qxx6 Rd8+, and mate next move. 4 points
c) Qb3 - b4 Loses the queen. 1 point
d) Qb3 - d3 Lining up on the open file, but too slow 2 points
e) h2 - h3 A good precautionary move - now Qb8+ is threatened. 3 points
f) g2 - g4 A move which weakens the king side 1 point