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. Qxf7+ Rxf7
2. Rd8+ Rf8
3. Rxf8++
My first instinct was Rd8, but after a moment to think, I could see problems for white after black refuses to cooperate and plays Rxg2 instead:
1. Rd8?? Rg2! (only defense I see)
2. Kg2 Qg5
3. Kany Qd8 and black has won a piece.
No, white needs another plan, it took me a few minutes to realize that f7 is poorly protected:
1. Qf7! Rf7
2. Rd8 with mate to follow.
1.Qxf7+ Rxf7 (1..Kh8 2.Qxf8#)
2.Rd8+ Rf8
3.Rdxf8#
1-0
This one really should be a 5-second problem. (I’d have finally really gotten one in five seconds!)
1. Qxf7+ Rxf7 (Kh8, Qxf8#)
2. Rd8+ Rf8
3 Rxf8#
Qxf7+ seems to be an outright win
Initially it seems f7 is a weak field for black, but white’s bishop can’t move, so e.g. after Rxf7 Rxf7 Qxc8+ Rf8, there is no check.
The right idea must be to attack directly in the back rank:
1. Rd8!
Threats 2. Rxf8+ Kxf8 3. Qd8# (1. … Rxd8? 2. Qxd8#)
If black tries to defend his bishop with 1. … Rc6? this mate happens.
Here may be several variations where black defends the mate, but then he simply looses the bishop to either 2. Rxc8, or stronger 2. Rxf8+ Kxf8 3. Qxc8+!
E. g. after the counter threat 1. … Qg5 this happens, followed by Rf2 eventually.
Black could try:
1. … Rxg2+
2. Kxg2 Qg6+ (Qg5+ Kh1 Qe7 Rxc8 is down with rook)
3. Kf2 Qf5+
4. Ke1 Qe6(!)
defends both mate and bishop, but white is up with quality and pawn and must win easily after:
5. Rxf8+ Kxf8
6. Qd6+! Qxd6
7. exd6
1.Qxf7+ Rxf7
(1…Kh8 2.Qxf8#)
2.Rd8+ Rf8 3.Rdxf8#
1. Qxf7+ Rxf7 (Kh8, 2. Qxh8#)
2. Rd8+ Rf8
3. Rxf8#
greets, jan