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

Beni- Soluch, Steyr 1953

Solution

A nice variation on a standard theme. The aim is of course back rank mate, so 1 Qa6! since 1..ba?? 2 Rb8+ and 3 Rd8 mate.

But 1…Qa4:

And now a nice twist: 2 Qa5! Qa5 3 Bc6+!

3…bc[] 4 Rb8+ Kd7[] 5 Rd8 mate.

Very nice.

FEN

1r2kb1r/1ppq1ppp/p3p3/n3P1B1/2QP4/2P2B2/P1P2KPP/1R5R w k – 0 1