Daily Chess Puzzle

Today’s problem is from the June1979 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

Larsen v Strauss, Lone Pine 1979

Solution

1 Rff4! and if 1…ef, 2 Rh5 mate; since the pawn on f4 blocks an escape square.

If instead 1…h5 then 2 g3! and mate follows.

FEN

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