Mate in 8!

#8

Originally posted by BigDoggProblem
[fen]r3k2r/p2p4/p1pP2p1/5pN1/5p2/1Q3p2/PP4b1/KB6 w[/fen]
#8

I can find Mate in 9.



1. Qf7+ Kd8
2. Ne6+ Kc8
3. Nc5 Rd8
4. Bd3 Bf1
5. Bxf1 Rb8
6. Bxa6+ Rb7
7. Qb3 Re8
8. Qxb7+ Kd8
9. Qxd7#

Originally posted by phgao
I can find Mate in 9.



1. Qf7+ Kd8
2. Ne6+ Kc8
3. Nc5 Rd8
4. Bd3 Bf1
5. Bxf1 Rb8
6. Bxa6+ Rb7
7. Qb3 Re8
8. Qxb7+ Kd8
9. Qxd7#

Close, but no cigar!

.

Originally posted by THUDandBLUNDER
.

eh?

Originally posted by phgao
eh?

As you can see (2 edits), a lot of thought went into that post!

No, I thought I had it, but not quite.
But I think I get the idea.

I can't seem to get it? Any thoughts on it?

Move 2 could be Qf6+ instead of Ne6+ but i don't see that working out.

1. Qf7+ Kd8
2. Qf6+ ...

Originally posted by phgao
I can't seem to get it? Any thoughts on it?

If Black cannot castle, it is mate in 4 after 1. Qc3
So if
1. Qb7 Rd8
2, Qb3 Ra8 we need a mate in 6

My attention is particularly pinned at 1.Nh7!? (threatens 2.Nf6+)
(1...O-O-O? 2.Bd3 and the mate is swift;
1...Rxh7 2.Qg8 #;
1...f2 2.Nf6+ Kd8 3.Qf7 and mates easily)
though unfortunately I cannot find a mate after 1... Rf8!

Originally posted by ilywrin
My attention is particularly pinned at 1.Nh7!? (threatens 2.Nf6+)
(1...O-O-O? 2.Bd3 and the mate is swift;
1...Rxh7 2.Qg8 #;
1...f2 2.Nf6+ Kd8 3.Qf7 and mates easily)
though unfortunately I cannot find a mate after 1... Rf8!

So...what if 1.Nh7!?

And black replies: 1...f2 2.Kf6+ Kf8 What then?
Nxd7+ Kg7....

After 1... Rf8! there is no mate within 8 moves, but white is at a clear advantage and will mate eventually.

Well, it is a beautiful move, but like most beautiful moves, ineffective. Anyway, just to throw my thoughts on that problem. I believe THUDand BLUNDER has a point. The whole idea (at least it seems so) is to prevent the castling and return to the initial position.
Possible first moves in this regard:
1.Ne6?! (most unlikely)
1.Qc3 (doubtful)
1.Qb7!? (possible)
1.Qf7+ (most likely)

Question: is this a legal position?

Originally posted by schakuhr
Question: is this a legal position?

It's easily legal. Black only needs to make 4 pawn captures, and White is missing 9 units.

Originally posted by BigDoggProblem
It's easily legal. Black only needs to make 4 pawn captures, and White is missing 9 units.

yeah but how did the black light-squared bishop get out of his normal spot?

Originally posted by schakuhr
yeah but how did the black light-squared bishop get out of his normal spot?

Can be if bxa6 and then Bb7 and another bishop move before the c-pawn is moved