My latest Minor Piece tells the story of Harold Davidson, known as the Prostitutes’ Padre, who later met his death as the result of being mauled by a lion.

In his time at Oxford University, he was a strong chess player. Monday’s position was taken from his game against James Sawin, from the 1902 Anglo-American Universities Cable Match.

Davidson, playing White, should have played the move I’m sure you found, 25. Rc4, winning either the queen or the king.

A sample variation:

25. Rc4 Qf5 (the only safe square) 26. Rc7+ Kh6 (Kf8 or Kg8 would be met by Qd4) 27. Qd4 (Qc1+ also wins) 27… Qxb5 28. Qf4+ mating.

Unfortunately, he tried to be too clever, playing 25. Nh5, and, after a few more errors, lost a few moves later.

Here’s the complete game: click on any move for a pop-up window.