Test your chess: Reitstein problem 3

White to play and win

AN Rubinsztein v J Tsalicolgou, Cape Town Championship 1976

Solution

Reitstein asks the reader to find the most effective way to terminate the king hunt, and 1 a5+ is more or less obvious. (If it weren't, following Purdy's axioms would lead to it: examine all checks)). If..1…Kc6 then 2 Ne5+ when 2…Kb5 is forced, so it it clear that 1…Kb5 is the best try, but 2 Ne5! anyway, and 3c4+/4 Qa4+ follows.

When I entered this position in my iPad app Stockfish, it told me that c3! was stronger than c4 (the move I planned, and which Reitstein gives in the solution, thought black resigned after 2 Ne5); and of course, Stockfish is correct, since c3! also threatens Qe2 mate.

Posted with Blogsy