COMBINATION - Easy (Neumann-Maillet, Berlin, 1865)

Neumann-Maillet, Berlin, 1865

White to move

Clue#1

Think#1 - Is my king safe?

1. Nxf3+ - But Qxf3 is perfect

Think#2 - How to attack the black King?

1. Bf7+ - But Dxf7 works fine

Think#3 - Which black pieces are under fire?

1. d6 - Attacked twice, defended twice

2. Ne5 - Attacked once, defended three times

3. Ng8 - Attacked once, defended once (so if 1. Bxg8 Rxg8, the Rook is unprotected and can be aimed at).

...

Clue#2

Think #4 - What are the black weaknesses?

1. Qa4 - Targeted by Ba3

2. d5 - Pined by Ba3

3. Ra8 - Unprotected piece

4. d5 - Weaken square. Bc4 or Qd1 could fork Ra8 and Ng8

5. c6 - Weaken square. The light Bishop or the Queen could fork Ra8 and Ke8

Solution

1. Bxg8! - (Think #2)

1... Rxg8 - And the Rook is now unprotected (Think #3)

2. Qd5 - Forks the two Rooks (Think #4). One of the Rook will die soon...