White to move. How should White proceed?
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White to move. How should White proceed?
I do not want to put the solution,but it is a checkmate in five moves and all of them are wilds!
I figured this was going to be a really tough one, but I got it in about 3 minutes. I figure with all the mate threats by black, every move has to be check (this would be called a ‘tsume’ problem in Shogi — the Japanese version of Chess).
So I tried 1 Qg6+ first, as queen sacks are always the coolest, but whether black takes the queen or runs to the corner, either way I couldn’t find a mate. Then I tried Rg6+, and that seemed to work after 1 Rg6+ fxg6 2 Qxg6+ Kh8 3 Rxf8++ — except that if black doesn’t take the rook and plays 1 Rg6+ Kh8, there doesn’t seem to be a way to break through. So I put that aside and found a winner:
1 Rxf7+! Rxf7 (…Kh8 and Rxf8 mates in 2)
2 Rg6+ (I tried the more intuitive Qg6+, but then I saw that I could utilize a pin by the bish)
2…Kf8 (if …Kh8, 2 Qe8+ mates in 2)
3 Rg8+!! Kxg8
4 Qe8+ (The point of the second rook sack — as the black rook is now pinned to the king and not only can’t block, but can be captured next move.)
4…Kg7 or Kh7
5 Qxf7+ Kh8
6 Qg8++
A double rook sacrifice! Very cute puzzle.
Rxf7+ followed by Rg6+ after RxR should win
ya this one took a few seconds. no need to elaborate.
You left out a variation, Tom.
You forgot the surprising 2. -, Kh7!? which is a good defense giving white possibilities to fail.
So:
1. Rxf7+, Rxf7
2. Rg6+, Kh7
3. Rxh6++! seems to be the only winnig move.
The “obvious” move 3. Rxg5+ which I tried first fails to Rcf5 and I see no mate for white.
After 3. Rxh6++ white plays 4. Qg6+/# after any move of the black king.
Curios variations, I like that problem!
Jochen
I love pretty combinations.
But why not simply 1.Bd3?
Sorry … I just discovered that neat little pawn on g2. 🙂
Jochen said…
“You left out a variation, Tom.
“You forgot the surprising 2. -, Kh7!? which is a good defense giving white possibilities to fail.
So:
1. Rxf7+, Rxf7
2. Rg6+, Kh7
3. Rxh6++! seems to be the only winning move. The “obvious” move 3. Rxg5+ which I tried first fails to Rcf5 and I see no mate for white. After 3. Rxh6++ white plays 4. Qg6+/# after any move of the black king.”
Excellent analysis! I forgot that move — moving into a discovered check, and yeah, the double check is the only way to do it, and if the the king runs to g8 the rook is pinned to the bish again and can’t help so it’s still mate. Cool.
“Curious variations, I like that problem!
Jochen”
Yeah, me too.
P.S. Jochen said… “So:
1. Rxf7+, Rxf7
2. Rg6+, Kh7
3. Rxh6++! seems to be the only winning move.”
Haha! Turns out it’s not the only winning move. Your comment, “The ‘obvious’ move 3. Rxg5+ which I tried first fails to Rcf5!” made me realize that 3 Rf6+ (discovered check which blocks off that annoying f8 rook) also wins! It just takes an extra move, e.g.
3. Rf6+ Kh8
4. Qe8+ Rf8
5. Rxf8+ Kh7
6. Qg6++ is mate.
But the double-check of yours with 3 Rxh6+ is a move quicker — and, of course, double-checks are so cool.
P.P.S. …and if
1. Rxf7+, Rxf7
2. Rg6+, Kh7
3. Rf6+ Rf5 as in the 3 Rxg5?? variation, now there is a cute two-mover:
4. Rxf7+! Kh8 or Kg8
5. Qe8++
You’re right, Tom. Thanks for your variations.
Rf6+ is probably the less brutal way to win that position. 😉
By the way: this variation leads to one more curios situation.
3. Rf6+ Kg8(!?) (last try – running into the pin this time) and now white has to play Qe8+ (or Bxf7+ which should also lead to mate) for an easy win but not Qg6+ which looks so strong, too.
After 4. Qg6+? Kh8! – white is lost!
[The open but surprisingly save position of the black king in that position reminds me of a real game long time ago…]
Greetings,
Jochen
Rg6+
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Rf7+ Rxf6
Rg6+ Kf8
Rg8+ Kxg8
Qe8+ Kg7
Qxf7+ Kh8
Qg8++
Rf7+ Rxf6
Rg6+ Kh7
Rf6+ Kg7
Rxf7+ Kg8
Qe8++
Rf7+ Rxf6
Rg6+ Kh8
Qe8+ Rf8
Qxf8 Kh7
Qg8++
The important move heres is the second move by white Rg6+. Rg6+ doesnt work because of Kh8.