White to move. Can you spot the right continuation?
Source: ChessToday.net
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
Oldie chess tactic
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White to move. Can you spot the right continuation?
Source: ChessToday.net
Oldie chess tactic but definitely a goodie. The white queen, rook and both bishops are pointed right at the black king while the black pieces are cramped and leaving the protection of the black king mainly up to the pawns.
1.Bxg6 unleashes the power of both bishops and wrecks black’s position.
if 1… hxg6 2.Qh8#
if 1… fxg6 then 2.Qh6 threatening Qg7#.
Only the dark square bishop can cover the g7 square but unfortunately as soon as it moves, the c7 rook beautifully coordinates with the queen on h7 for a forced mate in 2.
So what else is there for black?
1… h6 then 2.Qxh6 renewing all threats.
Black can not ignore the bishop sac because white will play 2.Qxh7+ and black can not deal with the multiple threats of Qg7, Qh8 and Qxf7(if he moves his bishop). Black is totally busted here and can not avoid mate.
Great piece placement by Schlechter and a good display of attacking chess. No wonder he was able put up stiff resistance against lasker and (controversially?)drew their World championship match.
1. Bxg6! fxg6 (if hxg6 then Qh8#)
2. Qh6! Kf7.
(If Bf8 then Qg7# or if Bf6 then Qh7+ and Qf7#)
3. Qxh7+ Ke6 (if Kf8 then Qg7#)
4. Qxg6#
After noticing that Rxe7 Qxe7 leads nowhere, start with Bxg6!; if hg than Qh8#. If fg, Qh6 wins, since Bf8 uncovers the rook’s control of h7 and thus allows Qxh7#.
1. Bxg6 fxg6 (opens 7th rank for the white rook)
2. Qh6 Bf6 (if …Bf8 3. Qxh7#)
3. Qxh7+ Kf8
4. Qf7#
1. Bxg6! wins
A If 1..hxg 2. Qh8#
B If 1..fxg 2. Qh6 threatening Qg7#
B1 If 2.Bf6 3. Qxh7+ and 4. Qf7#
B2 If 2.Bf8 3. Qh7#
B3 If 2.Kf7 3. Qg7+.Ke6 4. Qxg6+.Bf6 5.Qg4#
B4 If 2.black any other 4. Qg7#
C If 1..Rf8.2. Qg7#
D If 1..any other move 2. Qxh7+.Kf8 3. Qf7#
Harry
I try:
1. Bxg6! fxg6 (hxg6? Qh8#. Otherwise Qxh7 etc.)
2. Qh6 Bf6 (Bf8 Qxh7#)
3. Qxh7+ Kf8
4. Qf7#
Seems to be mate in 4!
1.BXg6 fxg6
1…. hxg6 2.Qh8#
2.Qh6 Bf6
3.Qxh7+ Kf8
4.Qxf7#
1. Bxg6 fg (hg is met with Qh8++)
2. Qh6 Bf8 (to counter the mate at g7)
3. Qxh7++
1. Bxg6!! and Black has no way out.
1. … fxg6
1. … hxg6 2. Qh8#
1. … Bf6 2. Qxh7+ and 3. Qxf7#
1. … Be6 2. Qxh7+ and 3. Qh8#
2. Qh6 Threat: Qg7#
2. … Bf6
2. … Bf8 3. Qxh7#
3. Qxh7+ Kf8
4. Qf7#
1. Bxg6 fxg6 2.Qh6 and no defence for black. Other lines lose even quicker.
Nobody has been careful enough so far!
1. Bxg6 fxg
2. Qh6 Kf7
3. Qxh7+ Ke6
4. Qxg6+ Bf6
5. Rc6+ Kd7
6. Rd6+ Kc7
7. RxQ wins
7. RxQ wins
… or even better
7. Qf7+