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2024/09/03 DPA: "A Queenless Battery Is Still A Battery"

2024/09/03 DPA: "A Queenless Battery Is Still A Battery"

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EnPassantFork
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White to move:

White would love to open up the h file but 1. hxg6 fxg6 allows the Black Queen to defend h7 and provides an escape for the King via f7.

Also, the Black Knight guards g7.

1. Nf5 won't help due to the Black Knight.

1. Qxh7+ Kxh7  2. hxg6^++ [discovered check and double check]

  • 2. ... Kxg6  3. Rh6+ Kxg5  4. R1h5#
    • 3. ... Kg7  4. Nf5+ Kg8  5. Rh8# [thanks to @BryanCFB for catching my error]
  • 2. ... Kg7  3. Nf5+
  • 2. ... Kg8  3. Rh8+ Kg7  4. Nf5+

Seems complicated for a Tuesday.

.

The key was recognizing that 1. hxg6 allowed Black time to defend, despite White's impressive Alekhine's Gun-like battery on the h file.  Saccing the Queen allowed 2. hxg6 to create a discovered and double-check and the only thing the King can do is go to the g file.  All choices lose:  there is a M4 if ... Kg8 and M3s if ... Kg7 or ... Kxg6.

Note that the g Knight also might play a role depending on whether Black moves to g7.  Even though this is a Royal Fork, White ignores the material and goes for checkmate.

And the e Knight guards the all-important f4 to close the mating net.

Happy Birthday, Arjun!