White to move and checkmate in …
2k1q3/p2r1p2/P7/Q6B/8/Kp2r3/8/6R1 w – – 0 1
Duras, 1903
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It’s actually checkmate in 6. I checked with a chess engine because I didn’t find the clever second move.
Nice tactic, Rc1+ then Qb4+, then (with K on a8), sac B on f3, sac Q on e4 and Rc8 is mate.
It’s a forced mate, but I really don’t think it is a forced mate in 5, as there are rook interpositions to delay it to at least 6.
1. R-c1+ K-b8
2. Q-b4+ K-a8
3. R-e1 Rxe1
4. B-f3+ R-b7
5.Qxb7#
1. R-c1+ K-b8
2. Q-b4+ K-a8
3. R-e1 Rxe1
4. B-f3+ R-b7
5. Qxb7#
1. R-c1+ K-B8
2. Q-b4+ K-a8
3. R-e1 Rxe1
4. B-f3+ R-b7
5. Qxb7#
1. Rc1+ Kb8
2. Qb4+! Ka8
3. Bf3+! Rxf3
4. Qe4+! Qxe4
5. Rc8#
This is way too hard.
I can manage in 6 not 5.
1.Rc1+ Kb8
(1…Rc7 2.Qxc7#)
(1…Rc3 2.Rxc3+ Kb8 3.Qb5+ Ka8 4.Bf3+ Qe4 5.Bxe4+ Rb7 6.Qxb7#)
(1…Rc3 2.Rxc3+ Kb8 3.Qb5+ Ka8 4.Bf3+ Qe4 5.Bxe4+ Rb7 6.Qxb7#)
2.Qb4+ Ka8
(2…Rb7 3.Qxb7#)
3.Bf3+ Rxf3
4.Qe4+ Kb8
5.Qxe8+ Rd8
6.Qxd8#
All I can find is a mate in 6:
1.Rc1+ Kb8 2.Qb4+ Ka8 3.Bf3+ Rxf3 4.Qe4+ Kb8 5.Qxe8+ Rd8 6.Qxd8 mate
Though the composer’s main line is 5 moves long, it’s NOT a mate in 5! In fact, it’s a mate in 6 …
Oh! I didnt realise that it was mate in 6. Didnt consider 5…. Kb8
This is why it is a study and not a problem. The contract is just “White to play and win”
References:
Duras, Oldřich
Tattersall’s a Thousand End-Games, 1911 (on yacpdb.org)
Duras, Bohemia, 1903 (hhdbiv)