Fairly difficult mate in 4

Josef BREUER
Deutsche Schachblatter 1938
FA14b925

(I'm not posting in puzzle format, please post your solution if you think you found it...)

So, nobody out there saying it's easy, or got it first try yet?

Perhaps:

1. Re8 Rb6 2. Rg3+ hxg3 3. Rh8+ Rh6 4. Rxh6#

Re8 Rb8. Watch out for stalemates...

nice puzzle!

In that case, it doesn't really matter, since 2...hxg3 offers the g4 pawn push for black - thus giving the black pieces one more valid move after the white rook captures its dark counterpart. I believe the answer still applies.

I dont understand Reb, You want 1 Re8 Rb8 2 Rg3+? Then hxg3

This line also works when black is trying to force its own rook's capture:

1. Re8 Rb8 2. Rg3+ hxg3 3. Rxb8 g4 4. Rh8# (Under 4 moves as well)

EDIT: On a second note, I also spotted 3...g3+, so that doesn't work. Oh well, I don't know.This second line is flawed beyond reason, as the bishop is hanging as well... O.o

Ok, I'll post the solution...

Of Course, If 2...Rc8, 3 Bc7, if 2... Rd8 3 Bd6

after 2.re2 the black rook could just move back to c5

Yes, he could, but then there is no defense against 3 B to anywhere and 4 Rh2#

so then why didn't you do that on the first move

After 1 Re2 Rc5 (or d5 or e5) followed by the Rook to the second Rank...

sorry i meant b5

I guess I expected a more aggressive approach than maneuvering the rook into a battery ram. In that case, 1. Re2 does seem to be quicker, mating with three moves instead of four.

But 1 Re2 doesn't mate in 3, as explained in #14

1.Re2 is followed by 1...Re5! if the rook or bishop takes it's stalemate, if the rook moves then ...Re2 and draw..

the idea of 1.Re8 is to deflect the black rook to the eight rank where the bishop can block it wherever it goes

a great mate..

Exactly!

but if

2  ...      Ra8

white can't mate in 4