- About Us
- Chess Improvement
- Chess Puzzles
- Chess Research
- College Chess
- General News
- Home
- Major Tournaments
- News
- Polgar Events
- Privacy Policy
- Scholastic Chess
- SPICE / Webster
- Susan’s Personal Blog
- Track your order
- USA Chess
- Videos
- Women’s Chess
- Contact Us
- Daily News
- My Account
- Terms & Conditions
- Privacy Policy
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?
“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!
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#.