Daily Chess Puzzle

Today’s problem is from the January 1979 Chess magazine. I have hundreds (many hundreds) of magazines on my book shelves, and I thought I would dip into them; and thought I would start with going forty years back.

As is my custom, I only say 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.

Black to play

Maier v Kasmindzhanov, Rogaska Slatina 38/9/11

Solution

1..Nh4 brings two pieces to the party: the N itself, and the Bh7.  Bg3 is also threatened, as is 2…Qh3+ 3 Kf1[] Rf3; so 2 f4[] Qh3+ 3 Bg2

3…Bf4! and if 4 Bh3, 4…Be3+ mates.

FEN

5r1k/p5pb/1r1b2np/2N5/1p1PB1P1/8/PP1BQP1q/2R1RK2 b – – 0 29