Mate in 4

F. Giegold, 1951

White to mate in 4 moves

I can do it in 5 moves..but no cigar....just move the rook to g4

Ne8+ !?

@hells-caretaker said
Ne8+ !?

helpmate== 1.Bd6, d4 2. Re4, c5 3. Rf4, c4 4.Rg4 ++ but no cigar..

@ogb
Yeah get that (didn't see Rg4). Looked at the position yesterday and my Brain went after Kg8, Nf6+, Bxf6 Kxf6 with a choice of draw.

You've really got to look for any move sequence that forces Black's moves.
In the starting position, Black only has two legal moves, b4 and d4, before a stalemate looms.

We need to find an optimal way for Black to play those two moves and then allow mate in two.

I could not get this at all yesterday, found multiple mate in 5's but no mate in 4.

Finally got it this afternoon:
Reveal Hidden Content

@64squaresofpain said
You've really got to look for any move sequence that forces Black's moves.
In the starting position, Black only has two legal moves, b4 and d4, before a stalemate looms.

We need to find an optimal way for Black to play those two moves and then allow mate in two.

I could not get this at all yesterday, found multiple mate in 5's but no mate in 4.

Finally got i ...[text shortened]... this afternoon:
[hidden]1.Ra2! b4(or d4) 2.Ra5 d4 (or b4) 3.Kd7! Kxf6 (only move) 4.Bxd4#[/hidden]

@64squaresofpain

SOLV'D

"Ambush" theme.