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 played 1 Qa8 and Black resigned: should he have?

Capablanca v Sir George Thomas, Hastings 14/8/1918

Solution

No: 1…Ra2! and the game is level.

For instance, 2 Re8 Ra8 3 Rf8+ Rf8

and if anyone is better, it is Black: Rc8, Kg8-Kf8, and then see what happens.

FEN

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