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.

Black to play

Solution

1…Rc1! exploits the fact that the Qc1 is unprotected; and the Rd2 is tied to defending g2.

2 Qc1 Ne2+ and Black won a few moves later.

FEN

2r2rk1/pb4pp/1p2p3/4Npq1/3P1n2/5P2/PP1R2PP/RB2Q1K1 b – – 0 21