I was thinking how I should celebrate my 75th birthday, happily coinciding with the 350th Puzzle of the Week.

Perhaps I could show you a position from one of my most brilliant games. There’s a problem, though. I’ve never played any brilliant games, having spent the past 60 years desperately, and usually unsuccessfully trying not to play bad moves.

Instead, I offer you a Mate in 75, composed 75 years ago, for your entertainment.

You’re going to need a few clues.

• White starts off with a sequence of 5 checks to get the WQ and BK into place.
• On move 6 both sides make a capture.
• We then have a repeated sequence of 5 moves: the WK moves away to let the BK out, the WQ plays 3 checks to force the BK back again, and the WK returns, forcing a BP move.
• When the BP moves have been exhausted, B is forced to play Bxf2, when the entry of the WN will ensure a swift checkmate.

As always, have fun, and I hope to see you at the Adelaide tomorrow evening (assuming you’re reading this on Monday)!