Chess Puzzle #1909

CHESS PUZZLE, FEN 8/8/8/k7/8/1Q4p1/6Bp/7K w - -

Added by:	kingdawar
Added on:	10-Jan-08
Description:
Difficulty:	chess puzzle 8/8/8/k7/8/1Q4p1/6Bp/7K w - -
Attempts:	2427
Solved:	396 (16%)


White to move, mate in 3

Comments: (1) » Last

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capafan 27-Feb-26, 06:46 » Report abuse	Outstanding Teaching Example! 😃 No Comments for 17 years? 396/2427 = 16% ?!? By logical elimination, since light B cannot check, moving it lets Black play g2+, using up all 3 moves. Therefore, W must move Q. But WHERE? WQ cannot leave b-file, and moving to b7 or b8 means BK will go to a4, further from Bishop's a8 diagonal. So try b1 or b2. If 1. Qb1, BK can again go to a4, but if 2. Bc6+...Ka3, since WQ is too far away! Therefore we're left with 1. Qb2, keeping WQ close to guard a3. Check it out: After 1. Qb2, BK must move to a light square (where WB can check him, so this frees up the Bishop), and if he plays 1...Ka4, 2. Bc6+...Ka5, 3. Qb5#. Therefore he'll play the only alternative possible, 1...Ka6, 2. Qb4 (a waiting move; Q guards a5, taking up the slack)...Ka7, and White has him right where he wants him! 3. Qb7# Mate in 3, QED! AND, White never had to move his Bishop!!! 🥳

From

Comment

capafan
27-Feb-26, 06:46

» Report abuse

Outstanding Teaching Example! 😃

No Comments for 17 years?
396/2427 = 16% ?!?

By logical elimination, since light B cannot check, moving it lets Black play g2+, using up all 3 moves. Therefore, W must move Q. But WHERE?

WQ cannot leave b-file, and moving to b7 or b8 means BK will go to a4, further from Bishop's a8 diagonal. So try b1 or b2. If 1. Qb1, BK can again go to a4, but if 2. Bc6+...Ka3, since WQ is too far away! Therefore we're left with 1. Qb2, keeping WQ close to guard a3.

Check it out: After 1. Qb2, BK must move to a light square (where WB can check him, so this frees up the Bishop), and if he plays 1...Ka4, 2. Bc6+...Ka5, 3. Qb5#. Therefore he'll play the only alternative possible, 1...Ka6, 2. Qb4 (a waiting move; Q guards a5, taking up the slack)...Ka7, and White has him right where he wants him! 3. Qb7#

Mate in 3, **QED**!
AND, White never had to move his Bishop!!! 🥳

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