Move of the week: why Dubov put a knight on f7

On move 15 against Alua Nurman, Daniil Dubov sent his knight from e5 to f7. Nurman took it with the king. Pause the replay after 14…Rfd8 and look at the two black bishops on e6 and e7. Those pieces help explain why Dubov brought his queen in after giving up the knight.

Find the queen’s route

After 15.Nxf7 Kxf7, Dubov played 16.Qe2. The queen lined up with the bishop on e6. Black’s king had moved off g8 and could now be checked from e6. Watch the e-file in the replay and notice where Black’s queen is at the same time.

Follow the threats on both sides

Nurman played 16…Nc4. Dubov challenged that knight with 17.b3, and Nurman’s 17…a6 attacked the bishop on b5. Dubov replied 18.Na4, attacking the queen on b6. Nurman took the bishop with 18…Qxb5, and Dubov answered with 19.Qxe6+ Kg6 20.Qxe7. The check on e6 gave him the time to take the second bishop.

Give Black a second look

Go back to 16.Qe2 and try to find a way to protect the e6 bishop or reduce White’s pressure. Then replay the moves Nurman actually chose. Dubov won in 42 moves, and the position on move 20 is a good place to stop and count what each side gained before you follow the rest of the game.