White to move and checkmate in 4. Can you solve it?
This was sent in by Kirk Finkbeiner. It’s his first composition.
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1. Qd7+ Nxd7
2. Rf6+ Kxf6
3. e8/N+ Kf5
4. Bxd7#
Mark
1.Qc8+ Nxc8 2.Rxf6+ Kxf6 3.e8=N+ Kf5 4.Bd7#
1. Qc8+ Nxc8(if 1… Nd7 2. Qxd7#)
2. Txf6+ Kxf6(forced)
3. e8N+ Kf5
4. Bd7#
1. Qc8+ Nxc8
2. Rxf6+ Kxf6
3. e8Q+ Kf5
4. Bd7++
Qc8+ Nxc8
Rxf6+ Kxf6
e8=N+ Kf5
Bd7#
1. Qc8+ Nxc8 2. Rxf6+ Kxf6 3. e8=N+ Kf5 4. Bd7#
1.Qc8+ Nxc8
(1…Nd7 2.Qxd7#)
2.Rxf6+ Kxf6 3.e8=N+ Kf5 4.Bd7#
1. Qc8+
1. … Nxc8
2. Rxf6+ Kxf6
3. f8=N+ Kf5
4. Bd7#
1. … Nd7
2. Qxd7#
Really got me. Did not solve it on my own so won’t post solution here. Once you see it you go “of course.”
Given the precarious state of his own king, white must look to the moves that check black on move 1. These are Rf4, Rf6, Qc8/d7, and Ne3.
I have to admit that of these possible moves, I was most enamored with 1. Rf6:
1. Rf6 Kf6
And, now, white must continue with a check, or get mated himself- now in 1 move. Continuing:
2. Qf7 Bf7 and now what for white?
As for the other 1st moves for white, I couldn’t see how Rf4 or Ne3 really puts black’s king in a tighter net, so I was left with the two queen moves. Of those, if white plays Qd7, black takes with the knight, and white has no real recourse like R takes at f6. So….
1. Qc8 Nc8 (Nd7 2.Qxd7 is mate)
Again, white must check with his next move, and now Rxf6 is coming at the right time:
2. Rf6 Kf6 (only move)
Again, white must find a checking move, and the only one I see that makes any difference is
3. e8N! Kf5 (only move)
4. Bd7#
As a first composition, I give it props. The first move isn’t easy to spot, and the theme of clearing e8 for an underpromotion, while keeping black’s f7 pawn where it is, is quite pretty.
R:f6+ Qc8+ e8N+ Bc7#