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

Kan v Simagin, Moscow 28/12/52

Solution

Kan played 1 Kf2? and the game was eventually drawn.

But 1 Rd8+! Rd8[] 2 Bh3+! wins: it is mate in a few moves.

FEN

2k4r/ppp3p1/5p2/1P6/r3P3/4K3/3R2B1/3R4 w – – 0 35