Daily chess puzzle

Another position from ‘Chess Combination as a Fine Art’ by Keres. Today’s blog is affected by my PC having failed and needing repair or replacement, so is in different format to normal. How long it will be before it returns to normal format will be dependent on if the PC can be returned to good health.

White to move and win

Drescher v Hauser, Frankfurt-on-Main, 1923

Solution

In the game, White played 1 Bd6, which Keres thought was best, the point being that if 1..Qd6 then 2 Qh5+! Kg8[] 3 Qe8 mate (and not merely 2 Qe8+ which just wins, but not mate so quickly).

But 1… Nf5 and Black is lost after 2 Qh5+ Nh6 3 Nd7+ winning the Queen.

Instead, 1 Qh5+! Kg8 and only now 2 Bd6! mates.

Position after 2 Bd6

FEN

No FEN whilst this problem persists. Sorry.