2024/05/13 DPA: "Beware Of 'Free' Stuff"

White to move.

White is down a Queen for a Bishop.  Therefore, the tempting 1. Nf5+ Ke6  2. Nxe3 Bxe3  3. Bxe3 Rxe3 only gets equality.  So this is probably not the solution.

Currently the Black King has only one escape square:  e7.  What move can control this square?  1. Ba3#.

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When I try to visualize which squares are covered and which are not, I typically start with looking at all 8 squares surrounding the King, starting in the upper left.  ie "The upper left is blocked by a Black pawn.  The upper middle is controlled by the light-squared Bishop.  The upper right is X-rayed by the dark-squared Bishop." etc.

Another way is to break it down to dark and light squares.  ie "The light squares are controlled by the Bishop and Knight and pawn.  2 of the 4 dark squares are blocked by Black's own pieces and the other two are controlled by the other Bishop."