Problem 2

Problem 2

Only Chess

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Standard memberLinden Lyons

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I thoroughly enjoyed the following problem. White plays first and mates black in two moves.

David Shire
4th prize
Die Schwalbe 2010

#2

Standard membervivify
rain

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Capture black's rook, then mate with white's rook. Right?

U
Standard memberUndueCause

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1 edit

Afraid not.
1. bxa4? Be8!

I think 1. Nd6 works. Threat is Nxb5#, to which the only response in Rb4 or Kb4. Unfortunately the rook occupies the kings last escape square, and Qc2# ends it all.
If ...Kb4 2.Ne4#

Edit: Accidentally but b3 instead of b4

Standard memberLinden Lyons

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Originally posted by UndueCause
Afraid not.
1. bxa4? Be8!

I think 1. Nd6 works. Threat is Nxb5#, to which the only response in Rb4 or Kb4. Unfortunately the rook occupies the kings last escape square, and Qc2# ends it all.
If ...Kb4 2.Ne4#

Edit: Accidentally but b3 instead of b4
1 Nd6? is a good try, but there's one move which prevents mate!

FL
Standard memberFat Lady

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Originally posted by UndueCause
I think 1. Nd6 works. Threat is Nxb5#, to which the only response in Rb4 or Kb4. Unfortunately the rook occupies the kings last escape square, and Qc2# ends it all.
If ...Kb4 2.Ne4#
Afraid not.
1. Nd6? Be8!

You're almost there though!

Standard membertvochess

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2 edits

1. Nxd4 threats 2. Nxb4#

Possible defenses:
1. .. Nxd4 2. Re3#
1. .. Rxd4 2. Qc2#
1. .. Kxd4 2. Qb2#

Edit: forget. It's not working.

S
Standard memberSwissGambit
Caninus Interruptus

2014.05.01

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2 edits
Standard memberRJHinds
The Near Genius

Fort Gordon

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1 edit

Originally posted by Linden Lyons
I thoroughly enjoyed the following problem. White plays first and mates black in two moves.

David Shire
4th prize
Die Schwalbe 2010
[fen]5B2/7B/4R3/pp1p1N1b/r2p4/1Pk5/4n3/1Q2K3 w - - 0 1[/fen]
#2
I would not even worry about mating in two. The obvious move is bxa4 to win. Screw mating in two.

P.S. But NXd4 looks good too.

Standard memberRJHinds
The Near Genius

Fort Gordon

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1 edit

Originally posted by tvochess
1. Nxd4 threats 2. Nxb4#

Possible defenses:
1. .. Nxd4 2. Re3#
1. .. Rxd4 2. Qc2#
1. .. Kxd4 2. Qb2#

Edit: forget. It's not working.
Don't forget it.

P.S.
1...Nxd4 2. Qd3#

t
Standard membertomtom232

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Standard memberLinden Lyons

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Originally posted by RJHinds
Don't forget it.

P.S. [hidden] 1...Nxd4 2. Qd3#[/hidden]
Well done RJ! Here's the full solution:

1 Ng3? (threat 2 Qc2)
1 ... Ra1/Ra2 2 Rc6
1 ... Bg6 2 Nxe2
but 1 ... d3!

1 Nd6? (threat 2 Nxb5)
1 ... Rb4 2 Qc2
1 ... Kb4 2 Ne4
but 1 ... Be8!

1 Nxd4! (threat 2 Nxb5)
1 ... Rb4 2 Qa1
1 ... Rxd4 2 Qc2 (2 Re3?)
1 ... Nxd4 2 Re3 (2 Qc2?)
1 ... Kxd4 2 Qd3
1 ... Be8 2 Nxe2