Chess Online

If this Post looks long, just know **I've lost several like this** when an ad pop-up shifts the screen just enough for my finger to hit a button that leaves this program and I don't have any way to return here. 🤪

This puzzle demonstrates many themes:
• Pin
• Fork
• Skewer
• Interposition
• Overburdening a Piece
• Mostly Smothered Mate
• Position vs. Material
In this last case, White clearly has a material advantage, however Black's position makes a fast win for White quite a challenge. There are several first moves that aim at the goal, a6 & b5, the King's square and his only possible flight square. 1. Rg6 is most obvious, but is refuted by 1...N×g6, which also blocks 2. Qh6(+). So this h4N blocks the Q whether or not it moves! Furthermore, this g3 Rook has nowhere else to go, for the h4 Kt guards g2 so 2. R×a2# is hopeless (not to mention 2...b×a2).

Secondly, 1. Rd1 (aiming at 2. Rd6+) will be blocked by 1...Nd2, and 1. R×b1 (hoping for 1...b4, and to play 2. Qe2#), is refuted by 1...B×b1, and if 2. Qe2...Bd3, shutting out the Q even for further play (like a real game, not just a puzzle).

At this point, we ask, "Where else can White move so as to handle two or more defensive Black replies?"

• To answer this, we need to review each square in Q's range: h3, g2, f2, e2 (too much for this post) ~~ we've all ready considered e2, but another thought is warranted (please). Are any of the remaining squares similar to e2,,,,,,,,

**Giving Access to the Consequent Diagonal?** (BIG HINT!)

I.e., d2 sits on an open file, but 1. Qd2 will be snuffed out by 1...N×d2 (former) or 1...c×d2 (latter). .....WAIT A MINUTE! 1...c×d2 opens the c-file, allowing for 2. Rc6#!! Now we're making progress!!! The Trick Is, how to get Black to play the latter, not the former?

Finally, we still have one more square to review: b2. If 1. Qb2, the Kt can't interfere (former)! If 1...cxb2 (latter), it opens the c-file for the Rook! But now for the icing on the cake: if Black wants to prevent the Rook from mating next move, all he can do is ADVANCE the c3 Pawn (which curiously opens c3 for the Kt, but ironically the Kt doesn't have the MOVE!). And when 1...c2, Black has opened the a1-h8 diagonal, and looky here, if f6 isn't sitting there with its big grin 😁 and its feet hanging down!!

Icing on the cake = 2. Qf6# SURPRISE 🥳