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 Ke1 as played in the game

Titenko v Murey, Moscow 1963

Solution

1  Ke1 d2+! (1…Rc2 2 Re6+! and 2 Re7, followed by running the h pawn)

2 Kf2 d1(Q)

3 Re6+ Kd3!

4 c8(Q) 1/2-1/2

Why it is a draw is tomorrow’s problem.

FEN

8/2P5/pR6/P5pP/3pk1P1/3p4/3K1r2/8 w – – 0 49