do you believe in jesus

It’s time for a Wednesday Puzzle!  

 
If anyone has any trouble with the colors below, please DM @Nacl_y_K9 or myself for instructions on how to make the analysis easier to read.

 
Legend: Jesus is our savior to the world

Observations in Yellow
Strategies in Purple
Responses (Unforced, Anticipated, or Actual) in Orange
Fails (Potential or Actual) in Red
Successes (Potential or Actual) in Green
 
 
On setting up the board, we observe:

* We are Equal on Rooks.

* We are up a Bishop, the light, and our dark bishops are in a standoff.

* We are down a kNight.

* We both have Queens.

* We are down a Pawn.

* We have an immediate checking opportunity with Qxh5+, but it’s a Queen sac.

* We have an immediate checking opportunity with Rh7+, but it’s a Rook sac.

* Black’s King has no escape squares, so there is definitely a King Trap.

* It is our turn to move.

* The puzzle’s title is “Checkmating a World Champion”.

* It is Wednesday.

 
The above observations inform potential strategies:

 
Of our two available immediate checking options, only one bears fruit.

 
Opening with Rh7+ fails to Kxh7, and we have no follow-up check.

 
Opening with Qxh5+, on the other hand, forces Kxh5. From here Black’s King cannot advance further downfield, as our g and h pawns prevent it. Black’s own kNight and g pawn present an impenetrable wall that prevents Black’s escape to the g file. So…

-----Rh7 is now #.

 
Ok, it’s a plan – but how could it fail?

 
Today, we open with a forcing move, allowing for only one response option. We then deliver checkmate. This plan cannot fail.

 
Ok, so is there a BETTER PLAN?

 
Not today.

 
Confident in my plan, I set the board aside and engaged with the puzzle online.

Qxh5 is correct, and Black is forced to Kxh5.

Rh7# is correct, and the PUZZLE IS SOLVED!!!

A worthy Wednesday puzzle from a game between Magnus Carlsen and Patrick Stawar.

 
Have a great day or awesome day, everyone!