White to move. How should white proceed?
Source: ChessToday.net
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White to move. How should white proceed?
Source: ChessToday.net
1.Re8+ Rxe8
2.Rxe8+ Nxe8
3.Qxf7+ Kh7
4.Qh5#
if :
1… Nxe8
2.Qxf7+
1. Bxf7+ Kh8
1. Bxf7+ Kh8
Re8+ Rxe8
Rxe8+ Nxe8
Qxf7+
if Kh8, then Qg8#
if Kh7, then Qh5#
Re8+ Rx Rx Nx Qxf7+ Kh7 Bd3+ Kh6 Qh8#
1. Re8+ Rxe8(a)
2. Rxe8+ Nxe8
3. Qxf7+ K moves
4. Qh5++
(a)
1. … Nxe8
2. Qxf7+ K moves
3. Qh5++
The black knight is overloaded, protecting both Black’s backrank on e8 as well as blocking the white queen’s access to the f7 key square, from f5 or h5. White can sacrifice a rook on e8 in a 100% forced line to attack the f7 square and deliver checkmate:
1. Re8+! Rxe8 (if ..Nxe8, then 2. Qxf7+ immediately) 2. Rxe8+ Nxe8 3. Qxf7+ Kh7/8 4. Qh5#
Re8+
Qg6, right?
1.Re8 Rxe8 2.Rxe8 Nxe8 3.Qxf7+ Kh7 4.Be4+ Kh6 5.Qg6#
This puzzle actually may seem to have two solutions. I also saw like most others that 1. Re8+ looks winning.
But also mshroder’s move 1. Qg6 look’s very nice!
1. Qg6 Rf8 (what else?)
2. Rxf7 Rxf7
3. Re8+ Nxe8
4. Bxf7+ Kf8 (Kh8 Qh5#)
5. Bd5+ Nf6
6. Qe6! any (K can’t move)
7. Qf7#
or
4. Qxf7+ Kh7
5. Be4+ Kh6
6. Qg6#
Isn’t 1. Re8 and 1. Qg6 pretty equal?