Mikhail Tal vs Igor Platonov
In 1973, Mikhail Tal faced Igor Platonov in Dubna, delivering a masterclass in attacking geometry. This puzzle asks you to find the four-move finishing touch from the legendary Magician from Riga.
Roll over to see the solution: 1. Qh6 Rxg3 2. Bg6 Rxg6 3. fxg6 fxg6 4. Qxf8#
FEN: 5r1k/1p1b1p1p/p2ppb2/5P1B/1q6/1Pr3R1/2PQ2PP/5R1K w - - 1 0
About the players
Igor Platonov was a Soviet Ukrainian chess player active from 1958 to 1984. He earned the title of Grandmaster of the Soviet Union during his peak years between 1967 and 1972. He is the only person to hold that specific title without also becoming an International Grandmaster.
His results included a tie for first in the 1963 Kiev Championship and a second place finish at the 1972 Jose Raul Capablanca Memorial in Cienfuegos. He also tied for 3rd-4th in the strong 1964 Trade Union Championship. In 1969, Platonov tied for 7th-9th at the Soviet Zonal in Moscow. He has a classical rating of 1880.
Mikhail Tal (1936-1992) was a Soviet chess Grandmaster and World Chess Champion. He was very creative and one of the best attacking players. His style was daring and unpredictable. His peak rating was 2705.