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: evaluate 1…Qh8, as played in the game

Geller v Gurgenidze, Riga 1958

Solution

1…Qh8? was a mistake,  met with by 1 Bf6! and the game is drawn by perpetual after 1…ef 2 Qd7+, Qd8+, Qd7+.

If 1…Qf6?? 2 Qg8 mate, and 1…Kf6?? 2 Qg6 mate.

FEN

1q6/4pk1r/p2p1p2/7r/2PBPPQ1/1P6/P5R1/6K1 b – – 0 37