Daily Chess Puzzle

Today’s problem is from the June 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.

White to play

Shirazi v Matera, Lone Pine 26/3/1979

Solution

1 Nc6! and after 1…Nf2[] 2 Ne7+ not only wins material, but places Black in a near mating net.

Black resigned after 2…Kh8 3 Kf2 de 4 f6 since Rh1-h6 is unstoppable.

FEN

r4rk1/pp3p2/2bp3p/4PP2/2PNn3/3B4/PP3R2/R5K1 w – – 0 25