Daily Chess Puzzle

Today’s problem is from the C.H.O’D. Alexander’s 1973 book”The Penguin Book of Chess Positions”, a book I devoured (and loved) as a child.

I thought I would use it for more of my daily training.

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

Boleslavsky v Dzindzichashvili, Sovient Union 1967

Solution

1 Rd8+! works because of various N forks.

1…Kd8[] 2 Nf7+ Kd7 (otherwise, 3 Nd6+ forking) 3 Qg4+

3…Kc6 (else, forks again) 4 Qe6+ 1-0.

If 4…Kc5[] 5 Qd6+ Kc4[] 6 Ne5 is mate.

FEN

4k2r/1qrRnpp1/p6p/1pB1N3/4P3/8/PP2QPPP/6K1 w k – 0 22