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Helpmate in 3 that I can't solve and it's rendering me semi-insane

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Mainline_Novelty

If you don't know what a helpmate is, essentially, both sides collaborate to get Black mated by White's third move (Black moves first, then White, then Black, then White, then Black and then White mates.

There must be some expert composed-problem solver on here that can spare me from my misery and impending insanity (I've been working on this on and off all day)

EDIT : or if someone has an engine that has a helpmate function, that's good too



Mainline_Novelty

bump?

b3nnyhaha

I can see a mate on white's 4th move... not the 3rd. 1... Ke6 2. Kd3, Kd5 3. Rc4, Qe6 4. Rc1, Rd6 5. Rxc5# obviously very silly moves.. 

Mainline_Novelty

Yeah I found a few four-movers, but 3 is killing me Undecided

gimmewuchagot

No clue. Maybe it's a double check?

EDIT: No, the Ra2 pretty much prevents that.

Remellion

Double check is possible with a screen.

(Sigmund Herland and Wolfgang Pauly, British Chess Magazine 01/1931)


As a bonus, I did some searching and found there's a twin. Bc5->Bb6, other pieces unchanged; helpmate in 3 again. :D

gimmewuchagot

If the bishop's on b6 instead of e7, then black has Ke7.

rooperi

http://www.chess.com/downloads?keyword=problemist

if anyones interested, this little program can solve mate inx, helpmate, selfmate and more.

on their page you can also find a huuuuuuge collection of problems

Remellion

Which is why the position with Bb6 has a different helpmate solution. Good luck.

Mainline_Novelty

Thanks so much guys! :D