Selfmate in 5

As everyone seems to have given up, here is the solution to part a):

1. Nc5 d5
2. Ne6 a5
3. e4 Ra6
4. exd5 Qxd5
5. Ke2 Rxe6 mate

Originally posted by THUDandBLUNDER
As everyone seems to have given up, here is the solution to part a):

1. Nc5 d5
2. Ne6 a5
3. e4 Ra6
4. exd5 Qxd5
5. Ke2 Rxe6 mate

Hmmm...The answer to b) then 🙁
1.Nc5 Nb4 2.d5 h4 3.Kd7 Rh3 4.Qe8 Rd3 5.Ne6 Rxd5 #

Originally posted by ilywrin
Hmmm...The answer to b) then 🙁
1.Nc5 Nb4 2.d5 h4 3.Kd7 Rh3 4.Qe8 Rd3 5.Ne6 Rxd5 #

But Rxd5 # is not RxN #

Originally posted by THUDandBLUNDER
But Rxd5 # is not RxN #

Ah...I knew I've missed something 🙁 Back to the problem I guess 😉

b)
1. d5 c4
2. dxc4 a3
3. Nc6 Ra2
4. Qxd2+ Rxd2
5. Nd8 Rxd8 mate

http://chessbase.com/puzzle/christmas2003/chr03-5a.htm

Originally posted by THUDandBLUNDER
b)
1. d5 c4
2. dxc4 a3
3. Nc6 Ra2
4. Qxd2+ Rxd2
5. Nd8 Rxd8 mate

http://chessbase.com/puzzle/christmas2003/chr03-5a.htm

I found this problem to be highly difficult, yet cheesy: The move order is inexact in many places and surely there is lots of unnecessary force all over the board (a problemist's 'red herring'😉. The condition on the finishing move, coupled with the needlessly game-like position indicate a lack of constructional skill on the part of the composer.

There are quite a few good examples of duplex helpmates that have exact solutions and no unnecessary force.