Chess Puzzle #44412

CHESS PUZZLE, FEN 3r1b2/5B2/3p1p1p/6k1/3P1p2/3P1K2/4P2P/R7 w - -

Added by:	blue1
Added on:	25-Aug-11
Description:
Difficulty:	chess puzzle 3r1b2/5B2/3p1p1p/6k1/3P1p2/3P1K2/4P2P/R7 w - -
Attempts:	254
Solved:	35 (13%)


White to move, mate in 4

Comments: (9) » Last

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kingdawar
26-Aug-11, 19:02

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I assume it's the same person as Josef Kling

blue1
26-Aug-11, 22:33

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It is the same - my fault - I have corrected!. Thank you for making me aware of the error

schizoidman
19-Apr-21, 00:24

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Low solve rate

I usually struggle with the hard puzzles of the day. For some reason, I found this one very quickly even at 2AM.
The first thing I noticed is that after h4+ the pawn is poisoned because of Rh1+ then Rh5++. That leaves the only move as Kf5. From here the king stalemated so all you have to do is figure out how to check him with the rook along the f-file. It is just a matter of move order now. The pawn check first does not work because after fe e.p. 3.Rf1 e2 attacking the rook. That means the rook must move first. Black has no useful moves to stop 3.e4+ and 4.Kg2++.

bishopstaff
19-Apr-21, 08:01

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solution

can someone explain to me why the pawn is poisoned?
What appears to me is if the king takes the pawn rh1+ then rh5+ moves king to kf5. but to get the king in checkmate on F you need the pawn at h4 to threaten g5. if he's not there the king can wander merrily between the two files forever. I mean you can probably get there eventually but I don't see a FORCE in 4 moves if the king takes the pawn.

ambmitra
19-Apr-21, 08:13

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White h pawn is a poison pawn because

1. .. K X h4
2. K X f4

If 2. ..... <Black king does not move, then, 3. Rh1#>

If 2. ..... Kh3 (no other place), then:
3. Bd5.

bishopstaff
19-Apr-21, 08:34

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4 or 5 moves

I guess the point I'm saying is that taking the pawn is a better move because it takes longer to get into checkmate. (it's checkmate in 5, not 4 best I can find) so it's not a worse position but technically a better one therefore not poisoned. Also means the puzzle should be checkmate in 5 not 4 because if they take the pawn you can't FORCE the checkmate in 4, only if they choose not to take the pawn. I'm getting nit picky I guess.

ambmitra
19-Apr-21, 09:29

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If the pawn is taken, then checkmate in 4

Pawn is taken by Black.
1. .............. K X h4
2. K X f4

If 2. ..... <Black king does not move, then, 3. Rh1#>

If 2. ..... Kh3 (no other place), then:
3. Bd5.

No matter what Black does in 3. .......,

move 4 white is a checkmate.

In other words, if Black King takes the white pawn on h4, then checkmate in 4 by while under any black defence.

schizoidman
19-Apr-21, 10:45

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Poisoned pawn

1.h4 Kxh4
2. Rh1+ Kg5 (only legal move)
3. Rh5 checkmate

So taking the pawn is mate in 3. Only 1...Kf5 leads to a mate in 4

bishopstaff
19-Apr-21, 10:58

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thanks

Thank you, I didn't see those solutions.

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