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

Thiermann v Schmitt, Bad Kissingen 18/7/1954

Solution

Pinning, diversion, and forking of the queen. 1 Ra6! pinning Qa6[] diversion 2 Nc7+ forking 2…Rc7[] 3 Qd5 mate.

FEN

1r6/1r2b2p/2q1kpp1/2pNp3/2P1P1P1/3Q3P/R7/3R2K1 w – – 0 1