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

Fischer v Durao, Havana 28/10/66

Solution

Part of my chess education. I haven’t checked, but presume this is in Bobby’s memorable games collection, since I instantly knew 1 Na5!, the point being a pretty smothered mate if 1…ba (Black didn’t play it, and carried on a pawn down).

2 Nf6+ Ke7[] 3 Rb7+ and mates.

FEN

2nrkb2/5p2/1pr1p1pp/p1p1P3/P1N1NPP1/1RP4R/1P2K2P/8 w – – 0 33