Thanksgiving tactic

3 comments

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  Anonymous says:

  November 22, 2007 at 3:08 pm

  1. Rf8+ is the most obvious first move, since it cannot be taken on account of Qf7#

  1. Rf8+ Ke7
  2. Qxg5+ (Qf7+ let’s the king get out via d6)
  Kd6
  3. Ne4+ followed by Qxd8#

  2… Bf6
  3. Nf5 and mate follows on g7 or g8.

  2… Nf6
  3. Rf7+ Kd6
  4. Qf4# or

  3… Ke8
  4. Qe5+ and mates

  Anyone see any alternatives?

• Reply

  

  TVTom says:

  November 22, 2007 at 4:41 pm

  “Anyone see any alternatives?”

  No, that’s gotta be right — as you said, the threat of Qf7++ makes Rf8+ unstoppable, as it’s a disaster after the king is forced to move: first the queen takes the rook for free with check and tempo, and then the queen is won for free as well — along with checkmate in that last variation!

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  Anonymous says:

  November 23, 2007 at 2:13 pm

  Yes…the reason why its a Mate in 5 is because Black can drag out the Nf6 variation one extra move with 3. Rf7+ Ke8, 4. Qe5+ Qe7, 5. Qxe7#.