Mate in two

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David_Spencer

I decided to post this mate in two I composed. It's not too difficult, but then again how many mate in twos are very difficult? I'm a little dissatisfied with the construction of the problem, but I couldn't see a better way to do it.

I'm not 100% sure it's solid (I tried to engine-check it, but Fritz is being weird) but I think it is. Let me know if you find multiple solutions.

White to mate in two: EDIT: Never mind, there is a second solution. See post nine for what I currently believe to be a fixed version.

rooperi

I think both Kc2 AND Ke2 work?

Philip_Lu

I don't see it...

oh nvm, nice.

rooperi
Philip_Lu wrote:

I don't see it...


Well, as I see it, Black is in Zugzwang, any move loses. White has to move his King to force Black to abandon at least one defense. But, not to a Black square, where he can be checked by the dark squared Bishop.

So, After Ke2 or Kc2:

If Black moves the dark square Bishop, Qxc8 #

If Bxd7, Qb7#

If Bb7, Qxb7#

If Bxa6(+) Nxa6#

David_Spencer

Oh... I should have seen Ke2. That's a problem... I saw a ghost and thought that Bxa6+ was a defense, being check. I'll see what I can do.

rooperi

Variation on a theme, bit of a thumbsuck, probably flawed....

Mate in 3

David_Spencer

I think also mating is 1.dxc8(Q)+, and I suspect there are probably other solutions.

I have an idea to fix the original, but there is probably still a dual solution. Here's my first attempt at a fix, anyway... If there is another solution, anyone have any ideas? EDIT: Sure enough, Nd5. If that b4-Knight wasn't there, Bxa6 would be a defense... What if I moved the King to e1 and removed the pawns?

rooperi

Now I cant find a mate in 2...... I 1st thought Kh1, but then Bxd6

David_Spencer

Yes, I think that does it. White to mate in two. Rooperi, I think you're just not looking closely enough. Hopefully I'm not incorrectly calculating whether a position is mate or not...

x164

1. Nd5

But it will work if we place a white pawn at d5.

David_Spencer

1.Nd5 Ba5+

That was the reason for moving the King to e1.

I'm assuming you're talking about post 9 and not 7 (I already mentioned Nd5 in post 7)

rrrttt

or DxC8Q+ Kxd8 Qxa8 mate

David_Spencer

Are you talking about post 1? 2.Qxa8 isn't mate due to 2...Bb8. That version is still incorrect, though. Please see post 9 for a version that I believe to be correct.