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1 Nc3+ Kb4
2 Qf4+ Ka3
3 Qb4#
1 Nc3+ Kb4
2 Qf4+ Ka3
3 Qb4#
Very pretty, but I got the main line in about 10 seconds, though it is just luck that I looked to clear the line from f8 to c5 first (the first move in a problem like this is almost always something subtle). In any case, it was several minutes clearing the alternatives to make sure it was a mate in 3 or less
1. Rd4 Kd4
The threat was Rc4# and Nd3# if black does not capture the rook. If black blocks the sixth rank with the queen at e6, white takes and mates on the next move. If black blocks the sixth rank with the knight at c6, then Nxd7 mates immediately. If black captures the rook with the knight, then Bf8+ is followed by a mating capture of the queen at either e7 by the bishop, or d6 by the queen. Capture of the rook by the queen is also a mate in 3 total following Bf8+ and Qxd6#. Continuing:
2. Qe3! Ke3 (only legal move)
3. Nc4#
Rd4 is the secret sauce, as Yancey already pointed out. I didn’t find it, having tried just about everything else. It’s one of those practically invisible moves since it is so implausible. The rook doesn’t put the black king in check and can be captured right away by several different pieces. Plus, black has at least seven moves besides Kxd4 that mostly require different mate attacks from white. So, it is almost like seven different chess problems.
Craig,
You haven’t probably worked enough of these short mate problems. Invariably, you are looking for a quiet beginning. I learned this the hard way by beating my head repeatedly on immediate checks and captures over the years. I don’t usually appreciate these short mate problems, but I have learned to recognize their value in training one to think outside the box.