Daily Chess Puzzle

Today’s problem is from an old edition of Chess Magazine. I don’t know which one, because, as is my habit, from time to time I photocopy a page to solve on walks or on trains etc; and my copy doesn’t show the magazine date.

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.

Black to play: how does White defeat 1…Kc6

Gawain Jones v Adam Taylor. 4NCL, Reading 20/11/2006

Solution

Yesterday’s problem reached this position. Black played 1…Kc4 in the game, and succummbed to a staircase checking sequence 2 Re4+ 3 Qd5+ 4 Re2+; 1…Kc6 intrigued me/made me ponder more.

2 Be4+! Kd7[] 2 Qe7+ Kc8[] 3 Bf5+! a nice return from whence it came 3..Rd7[] 4 Qd7 mate.

FEN

1r1r4/p4p2/1q1P4/2k1QB2/8/b5PP/5P2/4R1K1 b – – 0 47