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

A position to choose moves to play, not to force a win; more to consider alternatives.

Blumenthal v McGunnigle, corres 1962

Solution

I chose 1 Qf7, hitting g7, and it turns out this is the engine’s first choice: 1…Qc7 2 Ne7 Nt6 3 Bd4 is one line (3…Qe7 4 Bg7 mate).

The engine also likes 1 Qe5, with a similar idea, but in the game, White played the lovely 1 Qh6!. In the book I am using, it is heralded as a start of a fine combination. The first few moves are easy.

1…Qc7 2 Bd4 Rd7

I will leave this problem for tomorrow: White to play.

FEN

2rr1n1k/6pp/p3Q3/qb1p1N2/1pp5/3P3P/1PP2BP1/1R3RK1 w – – 0 1