Another Mate in 2

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Mate in 2 moves
a) diagram
b) move Ba2 to b1

Originally posted by SwissGambit



Mate in 2 moves
a) diagram
b) move Ba2 to b1

I can only do this in 3. Obviously coming back from the pub is not the best time to try. Will give this more thought tomorrow 🙂

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b. Reveal Hidden Content

Still looking for the full solution and the theme ... can anyone spot it?

I don't quite get what the two parts are.

And is it black to move?

Originally posted by VelvetEars
I don't quite get what the two parts are

First, just solve the diagram for Mate in 2 as normal. It's white to move.

Next, move the white bishop on a2 to b1, then solve for mate in 2 again from that position. [White to move]

I'm probably being daft but how is Savielly's solution wrong?

well all i can come up with is
white c2-c3 check
black d4xc3
white c1-b2 checkmate

its the only solution i can see

Originally posted by hempster
well all i can come up with is
white c2-c3 check
black d4xc3
white c1-b2 checkmate

its the only solution i can see

In part a) Kd5 is on
In part b) Kf5 is on

Originally posted by hempster
well all i can come up with is
white c2-c3 check
black d4xc3
white c1-b2 checkmate

its the only solution i can see

Hi Hempster

Your solution is not mate.


1.c3+ Kxc3 Bb2 + Black has 2..Kc2


In these problems the position must always be legal, White always
moves first and the first move is never a check.

If the there is a mate starting with a check then problem is deemed ugly,
cooked and unsound.

Stay with it though, solving these things is like unravelling a tight knot.
There is a genuine mate in two moves on the board infront of you.
No tricks. Now dig it out. Solving one of these always gives you a glow.

Originally posted by SwissGambit
[hidden]Yosi Retter<br>StrateGems 2011[/hidden]

[fen]2Q1N3/2Np4/1p1p4/1P1P2p1/3k1bR1/K2P4/B1P5/2BR4 w[/fen]
Mate in 2 moves
a) diagram
b) move Ba2 to b1

Ok, I've got the first variation...
Going to need a little time for the second I reckon 😉

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Got the second one! 😀

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Very tough SG, I've devoted a fair amount of my working day on those 😉

Originally posted by VelvetEars
I'm probably being daft but how is Savielly's solution wrong?

Would have saved me a lot of time if I'd looked at Savielly's solution first, oops 🙂

Originally posted by VelvetEars
I'm probably being daft but how is Savielly's solution wrong?

It's not wrong, it just isn't complete. A complete solution gives the possible black responses and mating continuations by white. See morgski's posts for an example.

Originally posted by greenpawn34
If the there is a mate starting with a check then problem is deemed ugly,
cooked and unsound.

Not necessarily cooked and unsound, but yes, generally ugly.

One exception to the rule is longer problems - some of those start with checks. Here is an example.


White to play and mate in 12
Starts with 1.Bc6+, but this is not considered a flaw.