White to move. Try to calculate this out without computer assistance. Can you find the precise way to win?
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
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1. Rxd7 Rxd7 2. Ne5 looks pretty devastating.
The problem of the uncastled and crowded king.
The line I favor is:
1. Rxd7 Rxd7 [Is just about forced as any other move will fall to a two move checkmate 2. Rc2+(or Rxb2+) (discovered check) with black’s only move Rd7 then 3. Qxd7# ]
2.Ne5 Ke7 (pretty much forced as any other non Queen check move will fall to checkmate 3.Qxd7#. Unfortunately for black all Queen “spite” check moves lose the queen to capture. And then 3…. will need to be Ke7 anyways.
3. Qxd7+ Kf6 forced
4.Qc8+ Be7 (almost forced as the only other move out of check is Kxe5 but that succumbs to 5.Qd4#)
I don’t see the immediate checkmate from here, but white can capture the rook on h8 next and the Knight on e5 is can not be captured without great cost.
5. Qxh8 Kxe5 6. Qxg7+ Bf6 (Just about forced as other moves bring the black king further in the open and a happy king hunt likely will follow.)
Nonetheless this will happen eventually as this line continues
7. Qg6+ Kd5 8. f3 with the threat of 8. Rd1+ Forcing further loss of material or exposing the king to a likely mating net in the open on the queenside.
i don’t agree with you “doc” …
1.rxd7 be7!
if now 2.rxb7+ kf8 and black escapes almost all threats
2.rxd8++ kxd8
3.rd1+ kc8 (3…kc7 4.rd7+ kc8/b8 5.qxb7#)
4.rd7(4.qd7+?! kb8 5.qxe7 e5!)
(4. … g6; 5.qc6+ with mate next move)
4…. be4
5.qxh5 kxd7 +-
@ vohaul
I think the 1. Rxd7 be7 idea, although creative, doesn’t hold up after
2. Rxd8+ Kxd8
3. Ne5 Kc7
4. Bxa7 threatening Qc4+ mating in 2 moves or Qe7 mate
if 3…Kc8 then 4. Bxa7 with the same threats as in the other line.
A double check is almost too cool to ever walk away from. 🙂
Tom D
@Tom D
u caught me flat footed … 🙂
on real chess boards i’m notorious for my plea moves – but they obviously don’t work in this blog here – hehe
you are completely right!
sincerly, your Vohaul
how about a6 after rxd7?
@ anonymous
I think that black dies quickly after
1. Rxd7 a6 (your suggestion)
2. Rxd8+ Kxd8
3. Qxb7
3…Bd6 slows down the inevitable but 4. Rd1 e5
5. Rxd6+ Ke8
6. Bc5 mates in 2 moves
3 … e5
4. Bb6+ Ke8
5. Rd1 threating both Rd8+ and Qb8+ would be sufficient.
Tom D
In the line:
1. Rxd7 Rxd7
2. Ne5 Ke7
rather than starting a chase, Nxd7 removes exit squares and threatens the entry of the Bishop.
In the line 3. Qxd7 Kf6 4. Qd8+ Be7, Nd7+ wins the B instead of the R and keeps the Q in play, but doesn’t appear to lead to early checkmate.