White to move and checkmate in 5.
2k1q3/p2r1p2/P7/Q6B/8/Kp2r3/8/6R1 w – – 0 1
Duras, 1903
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White to move and checkmate in 5.
2k1q3/p2r1p2/P7/Q6B/8/Kp2r3/8/6R1 w – – 0 1
Duras, 1903
Either Lenya is lacking in Intelligenz, or this is a “Mate in 6”.
Grindmaster Lenya Gristmilli
I can do no better than mate in 6 :
1- Rc1+ ; Kb8
2- Qb4+ (the importance of choosing b4 instead of b5 will soon become apparent) ; Ka8
3- Bf3+ ; Rxf3
4- Qe4+ ; Kb8 (Qxe4, 5- Rc8 mate)
5- Qxe8+ ; Rd8
6- Qxd8 mate
I vaguely remember seeing this position a few months ago and being completely stumped. I guess I must have absorbed some tiny speck of chess knowledge since then.
1. Rc1+ Kb8
2. Qb4+ Ka8
3. Bf3+ Rxf3
4. Qe4+ Qxe4
5. Rc8#
4. … Kb8
5. Qxe8+ Rd8
6. Qxd8#
So, looks like mate in 6 🙂
How can I see if my solution is right ?
I remember this that it was a mate in 6 and not 5.
1.Rc1+ Kb8
(1…Rc3 2.Rxc3+ Kb8 3.Qb5+ Ka8
(3…Rb7 4.Qxb7#)
4.Bf3+ Qe4 5.Bxe4+ Rd5 6.Bxd5#)
(1…Rc7 2.Qxc7#)
2.Qb4+ Ka8
(2…Rb7 3.Qxb7#)
3.Bf3+ Rxf3
(3…Re4 4.Qxe4+ Qxe4
(4…Kb8 5.Qxe8+ Rd8 6.Qxd8#)
(4…Rb7 5.Qxb7#)
5.Rc8#)
4.Qe4+ Kb8
5.Qxe8+ Rd8
6.Qxd8#
Its a mate in six. 1. Rc1+ Kb8 2. Qb4+ Ka8 3. Bf3+ Rxf3 4. Qe4+ Rd5 5. Qxe8+ Rd8 6. Qxd8
I saw the first move quickly and easily, which is:
1. Rc1+ Kb8 (1… Rc7? 2. Qxc7#).
Then I went on this tangent, which only took me to a draw:
2. Qb5+ Ka8
3. Qc6+ Kb8 (any time Rb7, Qxb7#).
I had to set it up on a board to see the winning move:
2. Qb4+!! Ka8
3. Bf3+!!
The point. Idea is to lure the rook away from protecting e4.
3… Rxf3 (3… Re4 leads to the same ending as below after 4. Qxe4+)
4. Qe4+! Rd5 (4… Qxe4? 5. Rc8#)
5. Qxe8+ Rd8
6. Qxd8#
It is a six-move checkmate, though.
Note that the below variation is slightly inferior for black:
1… Rc3
2. Rxc3+ Kb8
3. Qb4+ Ka8
4. Bf3+ Qe4 (4… Rd5? 5. Qb7#)
5. Rc8#
Unless there is a mistake, this one has defeated me. I am going to see if I can find the solution.
I have wracked my brain for over an hour in the line that starts with Rc1, and can find only a mate in 6. I have looked at other beginnings, but none of them even seem winning to me.
It is a mistake, it appears. The solution given at Yet Another Chess Problem Database indicates 5 move mate, but black cooperates by taking the queen at e4 at move 4 rather than move the king to b8 or block the check with the rook at d5- either of which extends the line one more move.
No it is mate in 5
Rc1+ Kb8
Qb4+ Ka8
Bf3+ Rxf3
Qe4+ Qxe4
Rc8#
Rc1+ Kb8
Qb4+ Ka8
Bf3+ Rxf3
Qe4+ Qxe4
Rc8+mate
It is mate in 6!!
Rc1 Kb8
Qb4 Ka8
Bf3 R takes
Qe4 Kb8
QxQ Rd8
QxR
I’m looking forward to someone’s solution with a mate in 5. Until then, here’s a mate in 6:
1. Rc1+ Kb8 (1. … Rc7 2. Qxc7#; 1. … Rc3 2. Rxc3+Kb8 3. Qb4+ Ka8 4. Bf3+ Rd5 5. Bxd5+ Qc6 6. Bxc6#) 2. Qb4+ Ka8 3. Bf3+ Rxf3 4. Qe4+ Kb8 (4. … Qxe4 5. Rc8#) 5. Qxe8+ Rd8 6. Qxd8#.