White to move. What is the best continuation for White? This was sent in by Andreas.
r1b2rk1/p4ppp/1p1Qp3/4P2N/1P6/8/P3qPPP/3R1RK1 w – – 0 1
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Nf6 almost plays itself:
1. Nf6 gf6 (Kh8 2.Qf8#)
2. ef6
And now white is threatening Qg2 followed by Qg7#, and also threatening Qxf8 followed by Rd8#. I don’t see a defense. Black can capture at f1 and then check with the bishop from a6:
2. …..Qf1
3. Kf1
White can win with 3.Rf1, too, but black can then play e5 still foiling both mating threats. Now black must continue with the checks:
3. …..Ba6
Connects the rooks and foils Qxf8 mating threat, and gives time for Kh8 foiling the Qg2 mating net, but black is down decisive material, and there may still be a forced mate in here somewhere that I am not seeing.
1. Nf6+
1. … Kh8
2. Qxf8#
1. … gxf6
2. exf6, threatening
3. Qg3+ Kh8
4. Qg7#, as well as
3. Qxf8+ Kxf8
4. Rd8#
1. Nf6+!! gxf6
(If 1. … Kh8 2. Qxf8+ checkmate)
2. exf6 Qxf1+
(No other way to stop the dual threat of Qxf8+ & Rd8+ checkmate or Qg3+ & Qg7+ checkmate)
3. Kxf1 1-0
1. Nf6+ gxf6 2. exf6, with a double threat of 3. Qg3 and 3. Qxf8 seems to be decisive.
Nf6+ gxf6 (forced)
exf6 (allow Qg3+ followed by mate)
1) Nf6+! gxf6 2)exf6 Qg4 3)Qxf8+! Kxf8 4)Rd8#
1Nf6 pxn 2 pxp wins
Double threat of Qxr mate next move
Q ch & mate next move
When someone gives you a position like this, the first move you have to look at is 1. Nf6+. It works, too – 1…gf 2. ef and White has the murderous combination of threats: 3. Qg3+ 4. Qg7# and 3. Q:f8+ 4. Rd8#