Menchik, Vera – Graf, Sonja (Semmering 1937), presented by Andreas
White to move. How should White proceed?
r4rk1/pbq1bp2/1p2p1p1/6Np/2P3n1/2B4Q/PPB2PPP/3R1RK1 w – – 0 21
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Menchik tactic
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First I thought of Qxh5? which looks easy winning but with the knight on g5 hanging black can play Qxh2+! and gets away (2. Qxh2, Nxh2 3. Kxh2, Bxg5).
Second thought is 1. Rd7! to deflect the queen. If Qxd7 2. Qxh5 mates.
Anything else leaves black with a figure down e.g.
1. Rd7, Qxh2+ 2. Qxh2, Nxh2 3. Kxh2, Bxg5 4. Rxb7
I just ha a short look on it so maybe I overlooked something.
Best regards
Jochen
Jochen, you are a star!
I pondered over this puzzle for 10 min.. Then I had an enlightment: I saw 1.Qxh5 . I was so proud that I had found it. But, alas, you had shown that it is the wrong move and right indeed you are.
1. Rd7! is beautiful.
Best wishes
A. Weiler
1. Ne6 fxe6
2. Bxg6
Jochen, one tiny nitpick: after 1.Qxh5 Qxh2+ 2.Qxh2 Nxh2 White can use Anon 7:57’s idea and play 3.Nxe6. So I think your original idea does win after all, just not as vividly as 1.Rd7 does.
Anon @10:29:
With this sequence:
1. Qxh5 Qxh2+
2. Qxh2 Nxh2
3. Nxe6 Nxf1
4. Nxf8 Bxf8
5. Kxf1
white ends only with a pawn advantage. Whereas 1. Rd7 wins, certainly – either as proposed by someone else, or with:
1. Rd7 Bxg2
2. Qxh5 Qxh2+
3. Qxh2 Nxh2
3. Kxg2 (not 3. Kxh2 – 3. … Bxf1)
3. … Bxg5 (3. … Nxf1 loses after 4. Rxe7 – the knight is trapped on f1).
4. Kxh2 – and now white is a minor piece to the good for a pawn.
Isn’t that what I said? So I think your original idea does win after all, just not as vividly as 1.Rd7 does.
I can’t remember anyone calling me ‘a star’ before…
Thanks, A. Weiler, you made my day. 🙂