Daily Chess Puzzle

Today’s problem is from an old edition of Chess magazine; not sure which, I had photocopied the “hard” puzzles page, and used it as something to pass the time when dog walking or walking in the hills.

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.

White to play

Whitehead v Shtern, US Masters 1998

Solution

 1 bc+ (or 1 Ra8 and transpose) bc 2 Ra8, and Black is in a near mating net.

If 2..Re8 then 3 Ra7+ Kc8 4 Rb2 and the threats of Ba6+ and Rb8mate can’t be avoided. And if 3…Kd8 then 4Ba5+ stops the king from leaving the death zone.

FEN

8/1p1kr3/2p2rp1/1PPb3p/4pP1n/2B1P3/3RBKP1/R7 w – – 0 1