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 Kd8 Resigns 1-0, as played in the game

Sanguineti v Najdorf, Mar del Plata 1956

Solution

1….Resigns?? was a blunder because 1…Rg4 and Black is not worse. 2 Qe7+ Kf4 and the King can actively shepherd his pawns.

I would take Black.

FEN

5Q2/2K5/2p1kpbp/3p2p1/3Pr1P1/8/8/8 w – – 0 58