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

Nyholm v Post. Stockholm v Berlin 1927

Solution

1 Rh6 is a fairly obvious breakthrough. Then 1…gh 2 Qg6+ Kh8[] 3 Qh6+ and 4…g6.

If instead 1…Re8 2 Bf7+!

2…Kf7[] 3 Qg6+ Kg8 4 Rh7

and 5 Qh5 and maybe 6g6 depending on Black’s defence.

FEN

r1bq1rk1/pp3pp1/2pp3p/n2Bp1P1/4Q3/2P5/PPP2PP1/R1B1K2R w KQ – 0 13