A masterpiece by Sam Lloyd – No computer please.
White to move and checkmate in 2.
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Qa5, not threatening anything but black is in zugzwang. Any move by black results in checkmate.
-Justin Daniel
What about Qa5 Bb7?
very elegant, not difficult
If Qa5 Bb7 Nf5#
Qa5 is really the right move. I thought that after Qa5 Bc5 saves the day, but it is still mate. Can you see it? 🙂
To be honest, this was a simple puzzle to solve in the sense that Qa5 is the move which springs to mind. As the black pieces stand there is no square the queen could get to which would be mate, but the pawn on a6 isn’t preventing any mate, so it is vital to not leave black with a free move by this pawn.
Actually I can’t see the mate after Qa5 Bc5 …
the beutifully hidden mate after Bc5 happens on the long diagonal: Qa5 Bc5 Qa1#
Nice zugzwang (not difficult): Qa5, followed by Qb6, Qc5 or Qa1 according to black’s answer.
Qa5 Bc5
Qa1 mate
In German this theme is called the “organ-pipes” (“Orgelpfeifen”) (or “Loyd’s organ-pipes”).
Some other problems have been made with this theme but I don’t think one of them has reached this original one as it wins by simplicity of the position.
Great!
1. Qa5 offers access to two mating squares next (with 2. Qb6# and 2. Qa1#)… and Black cannot defend both. Very nice. It’s like a tic-tac-toe win.
FEN: 2brrb2/8/p7/Q7/1p1kpPp1/1P1pN1P1/3K4/8 b – –
I am still having trouble seeing the checkmate in two.
Qa5Be6 then what?
never mind I see it now. if …Be6 then Qe5
there is one way to stop checkmate in two. Qa5 black resigns
Here is the analysis.
1. Qa5!! and black is in zugzwang.
a. There are no pawn moves or king moves available.
b. If either bishop moves into the d or e files blocking either rook, 2. Qd5 or Qe5 depending on the blocked rook is checkmate.
c. If either rook moves into the 6th or 7th rank blocking either bishop, Qxb4 or Nf5 depending on the blocked bishop is checkmate.
d. If either rook moves to the 5th rank Qx that rook is checkmate.
e. If either bishop moves to the 5th rank Qa1 or Nxf5 depending on the bishop that moved is checkmate.
f. If 1. … Bb7 2. Nf5 is mate.
g. If 1. … Bg7 or Bh6, 2. Qxb4 is mate.