Daily chess puzzle

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: examine 1 Ng5+ Kf6, as played in the game.

Smyslov v Benko, Monaco 1969

Solution

After 1 Ng5+ Kf6, Smyslov played 2 Kf1! after which Benko gave up the rook by 2…Rf2+.

Instead, 2… Rb2 (say) is met by 3 f4, and Black’s king is caught in a net.

He can’t escape: 3…Kf5 4h3 and mate follows.

FEN

8/2R2Nk1/1p2p1p1/7p/nP6/6P1/4rPKP/8 w – – 0 1