I’ve been playing through some of Pal Benko’s games lately.   Benko was a Hungarian Grandmaster who moved to the USA and at one stage made the Candidates Matches for the world championship.   He was clearly a very strong player, and in today’s puzzle from back in 1960 was pitted against the British IM Bob Wade, who Benko would be expected to beat.

They reached the following position when Wade shocked Benko with the sacrifice 1.Rxg7.  Benko can’t take it because of 2.Nh5+ but has a few tricks of his own with 1…e3 2.Qd4 Rxf4.

This puzzle is how did the game end?   Did Benko save the game or was Wade’s sacrifice sound?

r4r1k/pp1b2bp/q2p4/3P4/4pN1B/5P2/PP1Q3P/R3K1R1 b – - 0 1White to play.

ANSWER:

2…Rxf4? was a blunder (2…Qb6 was better) as Wade replied 3.Rg6+!! and after 3…Rxd4 4.Bf6+ is mate.   A cute finish.