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Bh7
ok…i’m thinking bxh7 then kxh7 then kg5 whatever the black king does then qf4 the rest seems obvious someone let me know if i’m wrong…
Bxh7 and white mates in 6 moves.
Bxh7+ followed by Qh4 and Ng5…
Another case of the loser’s Queen playing the wrong, irrelevant game.
Doesn’t look like a real game or study position with the Black Queen so thoroughly on another planet.
1.Bxh7 Kxh7 or Kh8
2.Qh4
and White with the potential of Ng5, Rxf7, d*c6 etc has enough to support the Queen’s mating attack.
1. Qh4
1.Bxa7+ Kxa7 2.Qh4+ Kg8 3.Ng5 … 4.Qh7#
With this sort of problem, even though the first move is apparent, where to go from there is not clear – all lines appear to be winning. It is far easier to solve “mate in 5” puzzles. 🙂
So yeah, white has a massive attack and the standard technique for demolishing the black castle is indeed the way to go:
1. Bxh7+!!
Now I looked at both options – both lead to forced checkmate. Here they are:
1… Kxh7
2. Qh4+ Kg6
3. Qg5+ Kh7
4. Qh5+ Kg8
5. Ng5
(or 2… Kg8 3. Ng5 for the same effect).
Now:
6… Rf~ (else 7. Qh7#)
7. Qxf7+ Kh8
8. Qxg7#
That is a forced checkmate in 8 moves.
Now how about 1… Kh8? Then:
2. Qh4 Rf~
3. Bg6+ Kg8
4. Qh7+ Kf8
5. Rxf7+ Ke8
6. Qg8#
Forced checkmate in 6. Alternatively,
2… g6
3. Bxg6+ Kg7
4. Qh7+ Kf6
5. Rxf7+ Rxf7
6. Qxf7#
Is there anything better? I looked at it for a while, and found this:
2… g6
3. Qh6 Rf~
4. Bxg6+ Kg8
5. Bxf7#
Checkmate in 5.
Also, I looked at the first option a bit closer (the Kxh7 one). I found an inconspicuous move there too:
1. Bxh7 Kxh7
2. Qh4+ Kg6
3. g4!! Nc4 (else 4. Ne5#)
4. Qh5+ Kf6
5. Qg5#
That is, the problem really is a “checkmate in 5” problem.
(I have spend close to 30 minutes on this problem. A good one with a lot of options to explore – enjoyed it)
I think Bxh7 is straightforward