This puzzle, I find has another move that works equally as well.It was in 7th Theme Tourney,cannot believe it was missed.Am I missing something not mentioned by author?
Mate in four(648)
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Dec 8, 2019
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#3
Yes, the diagram has an alternative solution, 1.Qh3. It could be a misprint in Morse's book, as I found the problem in an online database and it has a black pawn on d7 which makes it correct.
The problem shows a nice black AUW (four-fold promotions). After 1...d1=R, 2.h7? fails to 2...Rd4! 3.h8=Q stalemate, and instead only 2.Nxe3! works (threatening mate on c2), 2...Rd2 3.Qg2 blocks the P and leaves Black in zugzwang, 3...R~ 4.Nxc2. After 1...d1=Q, 2.Nxe3? fails as the BQ can keep defending c2, but here 2.h7! works because 2...Qd4 3.h8=Q isn't stalemate, e.g. 3...Qxh8+ 4.Qxh8.
Thanks Rocky.....As I have been guilty of posting an inaccurate diagram,I checked again if I had this one right as soon as I found it to have two solutions.this is the diagram in the book.......Since I now know it has a black pawn on d7 I am going to edit it with that pawn on d7 Thanks again.
Great AUW and I didn't find it. 3-Movers and 4-movers are the hardest to solve. Prefer #12
. I especially liked the B- and N-promotions.
The addition of bPd7 takes away the "try" 1.d7 which probably is no formal try but certainly something my mind tried. Having rejected it, I never even considered 1. h6 as it was even further away from the finish line!
White in four by F. de Vos, 1937