Akobian vs. Ortiz, 2003
White to move and checkmate in 5.
1n4k1/ppq3b1/4p2R/2p2r2/2PrNpQ1/2N3P1/PP6/2K4R w – – 0 1
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
Checkmate in 5
About Author
Initially I notice that my knight’s control of both f6 and d6 looks important, it should give me a mate if I also gain control of both 8th and 7th rank!
So I first eliminate:
Nf6+?
Loosing control of f6 and d6.
Next I reject this plan:
Rh8+(?) Kf7
R1h7
This is answered with Qe6!
Bg7 is well defended and white attack is heavily slowed down.
But I will stick to my initial plan of gaining control of both 8th and 7th rank. An important issue here is that Rf5 must not get opportunity to be interposed!
I should really have liked to have my queen on g6, so why not:
1. Qg6!
Not a check, but the threat Rh8# at first glance seems to give black no alternative to:
1. … Kf8(?)
Unpinning g7.
Here I am well into my initial plan! I can even afford a sack:
2. Rh8+! Bxh8
Enforced. Ke7? Qe8#.
3. Rxh8+ Ke7
4. Qe8#
Quite simple, if it wasn’t for the problem that 4 moves is one too quick so I must have missed something.
Of course it must be:
1. Qg6 Rd1+(!)
Here it is pretty obvious that black looses, but can I make it a mate in 5?
To avoid more delaying sacks, I must surely answer with:
2. Rd1
But without double rook in h file, my initial plan doesn’t work. Black seems to have several options to keep it going for a while.
I have to ponder more on this….
Well, of course it is:
1. Qg6! Rd1+ (only delay)
2. Nxd1! Kf8 (now only against Rh8#)
3. Rh8+! Bxh8
4. Rxh8+ Ke7
5. Qe8#
I think it’s now proved that mate in 5 is slightly more difficult than mate in 10…
Also worth to mention is that the somewhat brilliant looking:
1. Rh8+(?) Kf7
2. Qxg7(?) Kxg7
3. R1h7+ Kg6
4. Rxc7 f3(!)
Is probably winning for white with
5. Nf2
But very far from mate in 5….
This I can attempt,however mate in 10 is a project.
1.Qg6 Rd1+(delay tactic)
2.Nxd1 Kf8
2…. Rh5 3.Nf6+ Kf8 4.Qe8#
3.Rh8+ Bxh8
3….. Ke7 4.Qe8#
4.Rxh8+ Ke7
5.Qe8#
I can’t find it.