Daily Chess Puzzle

Today’s problem is from the 1972 book “Chess Combination as a Fine Art”, a book based on articles published in the 1950s-1960s by Kurt Richter.

Since the start of 2018, I have decided to adopt the style of only saying which side is to play: and not giving an idea if the move wins or otherwise, unless on occasion I think signposting would be helpful. Instead, the problems are posed with the instruction to decide what you would play, as in a game.

White to play

King v Bedjanian, California 1962

Solution

Very pretty today. Examine all biffs means one has to look at 1 Qe5! and after 1…Qe5[], 2 Rd8+ Ke7 3 Re8 mate is a very satisfying conclusion.  I am sure Mr King would have enjoyed the game, and even Mr Bedjanian would have taken some solace from losing prettily.

FEN

5k2/pbq2pp1/1p5r/1Bp1nQ2/4N3/5PP1/PPP5/3R2K1 w – – 0 1