"Fischer's Life" - mate in five

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Avatar of Crazychessplaya

Robert James Fischer died on January 17th, 2008, aged 64. Significant events in Fischer's life are marked by pieces on the chessboard below:

1956 - (white queen) - 13-year-old Fischer defeats Donald Byrne in what is known as "The Game of the Century"

1967 - (black knight) - Fischer withdraws from the Sousse Interzonal, while leading the tournament with a 8.5/10 score

1971 - (white rook) - Fischer triumphs in the Candidates matches, defeating Taimanov 6-0, Larsen 6-0 and Petrosian 6.5-2.5

1972 - (white king) - Fischer defeats Boris Spassky to become the world champion

1973 & 1974 - (black pawns) - Unsuccessful negotiations with FIDE

1975 - (black king) - Fischer loses his title to Anatoly Karpov

1992 - (white rook) - Fischer plays a return match with Boris Spassky in Yugoslavia

2004 - (black pawn) - detention in Japan

2007 - (black rook) - Fischer's health deteriorates

 

The position above turns out to be a chess problem. Can you solve it?

White to play and mate in five moves:

Avatar of zankfrappa

Any mate above 3 moves is really tough, there are so many possibilities.

Avatar of Crazychessplaya
zankfrappa wrote:

Any mate above 3 moves is really tough, there are so many possibilities.


 Yes, the answer is by no means trivial.

Avatar of Crazychessplaya

Looks like this is a tough one. I will post the solution by the end of the weekend if noone solves it.

Avatar of carcenea

I found a four mate move:

and this is what I've found with black prolonging the matter for the five move mate:

Avatar of Crazychessplaya

Great job, Carcenea! The 1...Ne7+ line is the main line, offering longest resistance. The exchange sacrifice Rxe7 is what makes this mate appealing to me.

Avatar of Alzintany

I think the best mate is 1.Rg7 Nb6 2.Qxb6 Kc8 Rc1#

or if 2...Ke8 3.Qb8#

Avatar of Crazychessplaya

BUMP - it's the second anniversary of Fischer's death.

Avatar of LloydG

nice

Avatar of drumdaddy

Thanks for the tribute to Bobby. I met him, played a simul game against him, was thrilled by his games, fascinated by his focus and dedicated study, intrigued by his character glitches, and then shocked by his mental turn and saddened by his demise. He felt targeted and persecuted at all times and finally lashed out in ugly ways. He brought a spotlight on this grand game that has opened it to so many present-day chess players. The weight of genius is a burden that I shall never have to bear. It broke him.