Chess Puzzle #127535

CHESS PUZZLE, FEN 6k1/1b2r1p1/p1q5/1pp1B2Q/3n2B1/P5PP/1P3RP1/6K1 w - -

Added by:	kingdawar
Added on:	31-Jul-14
Description:
Difficulty:	chess puzzle 6k1/1b2r1p1/p1q5/1pp1B2Q/3n2B1/P5PP/1P3RP1/6K1 w - -
Attempts:	35
Solved:	25 (71%)


White to move, mate in 4

Comments: (1) » Last

From	Comment
capafan 05-Mar-26, 06:27 » Report abuse	S/A = 24/34 = 70% Grade C- Certainly not obvious moves White's Rook guards g2 against ...Q×g2#. Therefore moving the R to another rank must be to give check, furthermore, every move must continue to check until mate, lest ...Q×g2#. 1. Rf8!+...K×f8 (forced) So far, so good, but can checks be sustained? 2. Qh8+...Kf7 (forced) White must keep BK confined! BP @g7 is all ready attacked by WB @e5... 3. Q×g7+ removing the obstacle! ...Ke8 (forced) 4. Qg8# Each Black reply is forced, and therefore predictable. But visualizing the whole process is necessary before making the first move: 1. Rf8!+, lest ...Q×g2# ends it all the other way! 🤔 The need to anticipate 4 moves in advance makes 1. Rf8!+ an excellent move! Looking back, I recall having been overly concerned with g6, a square that W only covers with his Q, and if this Q moves away, g6 becomes available for a flight square. In the end, 3. Q×g7+ covers g6 just in time to prevent it from being Black's escape path.

From

Comment

capafan
05-Mar-26, 06:27

» Report abuse

S/A = 24/34 = 70%

Grade C-
Certainly not obvious moves

White's Rook guards g2 against ...Q×g2#.
Therefore moving the R to another rank must be to give check, furthermore, every move must continue to check until mate, lest ...Q×g2#.

1. Rf8!+...K×f8 (forced)
So far, so good, but can checks be sustained?
2. Qh8+...Kf7 (forced)
White must keep BK confined!
BP @g7 is all ready attacked by WB @e5...
3. Q×g7+ removing the obstacle! ...Ke8 (forced)
4. Qg8#

Each Black reply is forced, and therefore predictable.
But visualizing the whole process is necessary before making the first move: 1. Rf8!+, lest ...Q×g2# ends it all the other way! 🤔

The need to anticipate 4 moves in advance makes 1. Rf8!+ an excellent move!

Looking back, I recall having been overly concerned with g6, a square that W only covers with his Q, and if this Q moves away, g6 becomes available for a flight square. In the end, 3. Q×g7+ covers g6 just in time to prevent it from being Black's escape path.

Account required

Please log in to post comments.