Test your chess: Reitstein problem 42

White to play and win

F Barry v A Cohen 1892

Solution

The first move, 1 f6! is obvious, but the main question is how to follow up after the best defence, 1..g6; the weaker defence 1…Nf6? is met simply by 2 Bf6, when Qh7mate can't be stopped.

I saw how to beat 1…g6 immediately, but even if it weren't obvious, following the Purdy maxim considering all biffs would seen lead to it, especially if you also make note of another of his maxims, to look for all jump checks. So, 2 Qg6! with the idea 2…fg 3 f7+ (jump check) and the f pawn promotes: game over.

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