Daily Chess Puzzle

Today’s problem is from the April 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

Trow v Carr, Southend Easter Congress 1979

Solution

1 Ne7 is the obvious solution to the position, being a puzzle.

Black played 1…Be4, after which White replied 2 Nf5, and Black resigned.

If instead 1…Ke7, then 2 Qd6_+ Ke8[] 3 ef+ and wins.

But this isn’t everything about the position: see tomorrow.

FEN

2r1k2r/pp2ppb1/2bp3p/3N1p2/q3P3/3Q1N2/PPP2PPP/1K1RR3 w k – 0 1