Smothered by his Advisors

White to move. Is mate possible here in five moves or under?



What do you see?

Edit: Don't scroll down if you want to solve it yourself!

Checkmate in 4:
1.Qf5! threatens Nf4#; only three moves to stop that

a) 1. ... Bxd5 eliminating the knight
b) & c) 1. ... Qb8 or 1. ... Bd6, covering f5


After each of these, the second threat 2.Rxg4! is deadly
a) 2.Rxg4 any move 3.Rh4#
b) & c) 2.Rxg4 Qxg3+ (or Bxg3) 3.fxg3 any move 4.Rh4#

Originally posted by Mephisto2
Checkmate in 4:
1.Qf5! threatens Nf4#; only three moves to stop that

a) 1. ... Bxd5 eliminating the knight
b) & c) 1. ... Qb8 or 1. ... Bd6, covering f5


After each of these, the second threat 2.Rxg4! is deadly
a) 2.Rxg4 any move 3.Rh4#
b) & c) 2.Rxg4 Qxg3+ (or Bxg3) 3.fxg3 any move 4.Rh4#

You were quick of the mark matey.

Very nicely done 🙂

Actually mate is possible in 2 moves. 1. h3 Qg6 2. Qxg4# But that's if both players cooperate.

I assumed the original poster ment forced mate, meaning no cooperation.

Originally posted by twilight2007
I assumed the original poster ment forced mate, meaning no cooperation.

The word "possible" led to the confusion. It is possible to lose a game of chess in only two moves, but not forced.