Originally posted by SwissGambitOK,
Yes, the answer is conditional. But that doesn't make it two solutions. The one thing we can prove is that there is only one move that forces mate in 2. We just don't know for sure what it is.
Your turn.
1) If Black has just played g7-g5, then 1.hxg6 e.p.and Black is toast whether or not he castles (and we don't need to know whether he's capable of castling). (g6-g5 couldn't have just been played, because that would mean that White would have illegally just either moved into check or left his king in check.)
2) And if Black has just moved the king or the rook, then 1.Ke6 and mate next move with 2.Rd8#, because Black can't castle.
Is that it?
2 edits
Originally posted by tomtom232Correct: the position is known as 'das Unsterbliches Schachproblem' and was composed by Konrad Bayer (1856). The finishing position is as follows:
1. Rb7 Qxb7 2. Bxg6+ Kxg6 3. Qg8+ Kxf5 4. Qg4+ Ke5 5. Qh5+ Rf5 6. f4+ Bxf4 7. Qxe2+ Bxe2 8. Re4+ dxe4 9. d4#
Originally posted by heinzkatAu contraire. The Langstaff problem is perfectly acceptable under the guidelines given by Kenan in the first post in the thread.
Also, SwissGambit's problem is not the type of problem Kenan was searching for, I suppose.
I was going for the 7 points. What better way to last 7 days than to give a puzzle where the solver cannot actually identify the strongest move?
Hey, I tried it the old-fashioned way - with hard endgame studies - but that gets thwarted by people with good memories.
Originally posted by heinzkatRxg6+ fxg6
Also, SwissGambit's problem is not the type of problem Kenan was searching for, I suppose. More of this kind (simple one):
[fen]r4rk1/ppp2p2/6pp/2qN1R2/2B2P1b/2Q5/PP3P1P/1K4R1 w - -[/fen]
White to move.
Nf6++ Kg7
Nh5++ Kh7
Qg7#
That is the basic idea, but clearly I have not exhausted all variations... do I have to?
1 edit
Originally posted by heinzkatI tried 2.Nf6++ also, but then Black can play Kh8, and then no knight move seemed to be able to deliver the death blow. (The black bishop can cause problems.) But I think this might work:
Also, SwissGambit's problem is not the type of problem Kenan was searching for, I suppose. More of this kind (simple one):
[fen]r4rk1/ppp2p2/6pp/2qN1R2/2B2P1b/2Q5/PP3P1P/1K4R1 w - -[/fen]
White to move.
1.Rxg6+ fxg6
2.Ne7++ Kh7
3.Bg8+ Rxg8
4.Rf7+ Rg7
5.Qxg7#
(It wasn't so simple to me. It took me a while to figure it out.)
Edit - Sorry, I don't have a problem to post, although I guess I could search for one and try to learn how to post a FEN. But anyone else, feel free to post one for me.
Originally posted by Mad RookWell done Mad. I spotted the bishop, but thought I was missing something... 😳
I tried 2.Nf6++ also, but then Black can play Kh8, and then no knight move seemed to be able to deliver the death blow. (The black bishop can cause problems.) But I think this might work:
1.Rxg6+ fxg6
2.Ne7++ Kh7
3.Bg8+ Rxg8
4.Rf7+ Rg7
5.Qxg7#
(It wasn't so simple to me. It took me a while to figure it out.)
Originally posted by heinzkatRxf7+ Ke8
Correct - it couldn't be so hard, I played this petite combinaison in a game when I was 10 or 11.
[fen]5k2/rqQ1Rp2/3r4/7N/2n5/B7/8/K7 w - -[/fen]
White to move.
Ng7#
or if not Ke8, White has perpetual check from a losing position. I must be missing something... I thought seeing as your age was a contributing factor it should mean it was impressive and difficult, so clearly this is wrong.
🙁
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Originally posted by SwissGambit1. Ra6 bxa6 2. Bxa6+ Kd7 (2... Qxa6 3. Nc5 +-) 3. Nf8+ Rhxf8 (3... Rdxf8 4.
If tomtom will permit me to post a problem for him, I'll provide something more game-like this time....
[fen]2kr3r/pp3ppp/1qp1Nb2/8/R2pQB1P/6P1/PnP1B3/1K5R w - - 0 1[/fen]
Qf5+ Kd8 5. Qc8+ Ke7 6. Re1+ Be5 7. Rxe5+ Kd6 8. Rd5+ Ke7 9. Bd6+ Kf6 10. Qf5# )
4. Qf5+ Ke8 5. Re1+ Be7 6. Rxe7+ Kxe7 7. Qe5+ Kd7 8. Qd6+ Ke8 9. Qe5+
You can post a problem every time I solve one unless I have already posted one.
Originally posted by tomtom232My, my, that was fast...10 minutes. I would have thought this would be a tougher solve.
1. Ra6 bxa6 2. Bxa6+ Kd7 (2... Qxa6 3. Nc5 +-) 3. Nf8+ Rhxf8 (3... Rdxf8 4.
Qf5+ Kd8 5. Qc8+ Ke7 6. Re1+ Be5 7. Rxe5+ Kd6 8. Rd5+ Ke7 9. Bd6+ Kf6 10. Qf5# )
4. Qf5+ Ke8 5. Re1+ Be7 6. Rxe7+ Kxe7 7. Qe5+ Kd7 8. Qd6+ Ke8 9. Qe5+
You can post a problem every time I solve one unless I have already posted one.