I really like this puzzle. I hope you can figure out the right plan without using computer assistance. It is White to move. What is the absolute best continuation for White?
q4rk1/5bpp/p3Q3/1p2NNr1/2P5/P1B5/1P6/K4n2 w – – 0 1
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
1. Nh6+ gh6
2. Ng4 Rg6
3. Qe5
1. Nh6+ gh6
2. Ng4 Rg4
3. Qg4+ Bg6
4. Qe6+ Rf7
5. Qe5 Ra7
Failed…
1.Nh6+ gxh6 (Kh8 Nf7+ Rxf7 Nxf7+ Kg8 Nd8+ mating) 2.Qf6!! black has no good move: 2…Bg6 3.Nf7 mating, or 2…Qd8 3.Qh8+ Kxh8 4.Mxf7++ Kg8 5.Nxh6#.
I like 1.Qh6+ fxg6 (if Kh8 then the knights take on f7 with check one after another) 2.Qf6 and there does not seem to be a way to avoid white’s attack. Seems too easy though, so I probably oversaw something?!
Beelze
1.Ne7+…Kh8
2.Qxf7 wins
if 2…h6 then
3.N5g6+…Kh7
4.Nxf8+…Kh8
5.N7g6+…Rxg6
6.Nxg6+…Kh7
7.Qxg7 mate
if 2…Qf3 then
3.N5g6+…Rxg6
4.Nxg6+…hg
5.Qxg7 mate
1.Nh6+
if
1…Kh8
then
2.Qxf7
with the threat
3.Qg8+ Rxg8 4.Nf7++
if
1…gxh6
then
2.Qf6
with many mate themes:
2…Qe8
3.Qh8+ Kxh8
4.Nxf7+ Kg8
5.Nxh6++
2…Rg7
3.Ng4 (against 3…Qg2)
2…Rg6
3.Qh8+ Kxh8
4.Nxg6+ Kg8
5.Ne7++
1. Ne7+ Kh8
2. Dxf7 h6 (…Rxf7 Nxf7#)
3. Neg6+ Rxg6 (…Kh7 Qxh7#)
4. Nxg6+ Kh7
5. Qxg7#
1. Ne7+ Kh8
2. Qh6
the threat is N6g6 followed by mate and double attack to the Rook
if gxh6 N6g6++
Anonymous 21:17 and Mario,
After
1.Ne7+,Kh8
2.Qxf7, …
There is a good reply for black
2. … , Rxe5
1.Nh6! gxh6
2.Qf6!! threatening Qh8+!! and Nf7 with double check and Nh6 mate.
There is no defence.
Pharaoh
Reinato, your solution doesn’t work because
1.Ne7+,Kh8
2.Qh6, Rxe5
3. Bxe5, Qg2
we have two main lines the first:
1. Nh6+ Kh8
2.Nexf7+ Rxf7
3.Nxf7 (and it is over)
the second line
1.Nh6+ gxh6
2.Qf6 Qg2
3.Qh8+!! Kxh8
4.Nxf7+ Kg8
5.Nxh6#
Nh6 PxN forced
Qf6 with Qh8 mates
Anonymous 3:49
I found a reply for black in your second main line. After
1.Nh6+,gxh6
2.Qf6, …
black might as well play
2. … , Qh1
defending the square h6 and threatening Nd2+ followed by Qb1++
1 Nh6!! gh6 (1…Kh8 2 Nef7 is hopeless for Black) 2 Qf6! and Black can not parry White’s threats:
if 2… Rg1 3 Qh8 Kh8 4 Nf7 Kg8 5 Nh6#; 2…Rg7 3 Ng4 and mate next
-Justin Daniel
As I said earlier, the line
1.Nh6,gxh6
2.Qf6, …
is easily refuted with
2. … , Qh1
at a glance i’d play Nh6 and let the rest take care of itself
Miguel is missing that after…Qh1 Qh8+ KxQ Ng6+ Kg8 Ne7 mates
The Nh6 line seems to work, and with a very elegant finish.
1. Nh6 gxh6
2. Qf6 Qh1
3. a4!
saves the white king from mate. Then:
3. … Ng3+
4. Ka2 Be8 (clearing an escape path for the black king)
5. Nf7!
Blockading the escape square. Now black can’t prevent Qh8 mate.
Another variation:
3. … Nd2+ (as planned before)
4. Ka2 Qb1+
5. Ka3 and the black queen must scurry back to h1 to prevent Qh8+, bringing us to the previous line.
Alternately,
5. … Qg6!?
6. Nxg6
where Rxg6 leads to Qh8 mate, and Bxg6 leads to Qg7 mate.
@Miguel Lacruz:
1. Ne7+ Kh8
2. Qxf7 Rxe5
3. Qxg7#
Billy,
Do You really think that a4! can be the right way in case of massive force concentration near the black king?
You just have to let these knights do their hip-hop job 😀
@Billy
Erm…
2…Qh1 is not that good because of Qh8+ Kxh8 Ng6+ Kg8 Ne7 mate.
So 3.a4 would be a bit of a wasted opportunity.
@Mario
Qxg7 is not mate in your line, black plays Kxg7.
So the correct solution is 1.Nh6+ leading to mate.
Oh, I totally missed the Ne7 mate given by the Anonymous above me.
No a4 adventures then.
I still think my finish is prettier :p
1.Ne7+ Kh8 2.Qxf7 Rg1 3.Qg8+! Rxg8 4.Nf7 mate!
Kamalakanta
This is a drawn position ?!?
Medhat Moheb