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Problem 2

Problem 2

Only Chess

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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

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

1 edit
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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

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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!

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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!

2 edits
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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.

2 edits
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1 edit
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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.

1 edit
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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#

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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