Daily chess puzzle: Check Mate #387

Another puzzle from Dragoslav Andric’s 1981 book “Matni Udar”.

Black to play and mate White

Stalfinga v Grahn, Esbjerg 1974

Solution

Fairly standard today, with the Qf3 sacrifice begging to be played, the main thought being needed as to whether to take on e7 first. A moment’s thought shows it is, so 1…Re7! 2 Qe7[] Qf3!

Black threatens Qf2+ Ng3+ Qg2 mate, which beats most defences: except 3 Re4 which just leaves Black material up, or 3 gf Rg8+ 4 Kf1 Ba6+! 5 Re2 Nd2+ 6 Ke1[] Nf3+ 7 Kd1 Rg1+ 8 Re1 Re1 mate.

FEN

1k2r2r/1bpQN2p/1p6/P3p2q/4np2/2P2N2/2P2PPP/R3R1K1 b – – 0 1