Problem 2

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

David Shire
4th prize
Die Schwalbe 2010

#2

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

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

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!

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!

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.

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.

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. Reveal Hidden Content

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