Go back
mate in 1

mate in 1

Only Chess

Vote Up
Vote Down

Taken from Chess' december issue.Not too difficult but I like it because it's funny and engines are useless.

White to move mates in 1



toet.

Vote Up
Vote Down

You're right. Not hard, once you see it. And fun too. Bet many won't see it tho 😲

Vote Up
Vote Down

Pal, are you sure this is a mate in 1? I can't seem to find it. Please post the solution. Thanks.

Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by Goshen
Pal, are you sure this is a mate in 1? I can't seem to find it. Please post the solution. Thanks.
Yes, there is a mate in one.
Think once more.

Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by FabianFnas
Yes, there is a mate in one.
Think once more.
Haha!!! I finally got it!! It's so not obvious! Great!

Vote Up
Vote Down

Very cute, although the solution is a little deceptive given the amount of information provided.

Vote Up
Vote Down

Yeah, engines can only work with what they're given. If you set up the conditions properly in the GUI, almost all engines will find it instantly.

Vote Up
Vote Down

So why did Mr. Toet write that engines are useless?

Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by Goshen
So why did Mr. Toet write that engines are useless?
Because most engine operators wouldn't think to set up the proper condition when inputting the FEN into the GUI.

2 edits
Vote Up
Vote Down

nvm

Vote Up
Vote Down

Once you realise the proper conditions you wouldn't need the engine 🙂

And yes,there's some trickery.Heck,it's mate in 1,without a trick it's not worth looking at.

It's a creation of J.Perkins btw.Unknown to me but I'm not a keen problemist

toet.

1 edit
Vote Up
Vote Down

The bishop blocks the mate! Knight blocks other mate!

1 edit
Vote Up
Vote Down

I can't see it. 😞

Edit - Saw it.

Vote Up
Vote Down

Often in this kind of problem, there is a way to prove what black's last move must have been. Is this the case here?

Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by Zaubernuss
Often in this kind of problem, there is a way to prove what black's last move must have been. Is this the case here?
To answer my own question, I think the answer is yes. I'll leave it to others to fill in the details.

Nice problem!