Chess Problem -6
Submitted by
sanjayd1998 on Tue, 06/30/2009 at 4:53am.
White to play and mate in two.
Hint: A close look at Black's possible moves shows that in every single case White can reply with an immediate mate. It follows that a waiting move would solve the problem. But this is another typical example of deception by the composer. The solver is tempted to look for a way of preserving the status quo, but the solution depends on abandoning preconceived ideas and finding alternative ways of coping with Black's defences.
All Black's moves allow immediate mate, for example if the d1-knight moves, then Bb2, or if the e3-knight moves then Qc2. Finally, 1...c3 allows 2 Nb3 mate. A waiting move would solve the problem, but there are no waiting moves, for example 1 Kh1? Nf2+, 1 Kh2? Nf1+, 1 Rg2? Nf2 or 1 Qg6 Nf5. The composer has arranged it so that the solver's natural inclination to preserve the existing mates leads to a dead end, and only some lateral thinking can provide the answer. White must retain control of b1, or else ...Kb1 prevents a mate, so it isn't too hard to find this move, even though it gives up all the mates already prepared. Now Black's moves are answered by a completely new set of mates, if the d1-knight moves, then 2 Qb2 (instead of 2 Bb2), if the e3-knight moves, then
2 Rc2 (instead of 2 Qc2) and finally if 1...c3, then 2 Nd3 (instead of 2 Nb3).
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