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.

Before I give the puzzle, the June 1979 Chess magazine might have been the first time Garry Kasparov came to the attention of Chess magazine readers.

None of Garry’s games are in the magazine, though.

White to play

Espig v Inkiov, Varna 15/5/1976

Solution

1 f7! and after 1…Kf7 (1…Kg7 or 1…Ke7 are both met by 2 Kf6 and wins trivially) 2 Kf5 and White wins, with the opposition.

White shoulders the Black king away from its protection of the Pd6.

FEN

5k2/8/3p1P2/p1pP2K1/P1P5/8/8/8 w – – 0 54