Test your chess: Reitstein problem 47

Black to play and win

N Woodward v M Katz 1971

Solution

This is the first problem in the book that I failed to solve, despite giving it some effort. In my confusion, having seen a lot but seen nothing, was to play the wrong move, 1…Nf5??, which of course loses the queen 2 Bb4 1-0: 'could do better'.

The winning move is 1…Ne4, which I saw, but couldn't make work (in my head- maybe if I had put the pieces onto a board, and moved them, I might have solved it, but that, of course, is not chess). White must take the queen (otherwise the Bd2 is LPDO) when 2…Nf2+ comes.

If 3 Qf2, the key is both white's bishops are LPDO. So 3…Bf2 and eg 4 Be1 Rg3+ 5 Kh4 Be1 and Rd3. If 3 Kh2, 3…Nhg4+ and 4…Nd3; and if 3 Kh4 Bf6+ 4 Kh5 Nhg4 and Kf7, when white's king is in a net.

I doubt in a game I could see it all- perhaps, if I had enough time, but the positions were there are lots of open tactics aren't my forte.

A good problem. Shame I messed up.

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