White to move. How should white proceed?
Source: ChessToday.net
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White to move. How should white proceed?
Source: ChessToday.net
I think that Qf6. Am I right?
Qf6 almost without thinking about it:
1. Qf6
Cuts off the escape via e7 for the black king (the weakness of playing Rh8 immediately). Continuing:
1. …..Bf6 (alternatives below)
2. gf6
Threatening Rh8#. The only defense that is plausible here is to either find a way to capture the pawn, or get an attack on the white king. So, black must try…
2. …..Rd4
3. Nd4 Qd4
4. Rd4
So, black can now at least play Kg8, but it still looks like mate to me:
4. …..Kg8
5. Rdh4 and black can only delay the mate.
Back at move 1, black could take at d4:
1. Qf6 Rd4
2. Nd4 Qd4
3. Rd4 with massive material loss.
Best at move 1, I think is to clear the queen’s line to f6 by giving up the queen’s bishop:
1. Qf6 Bh3
Cut’s the connection of the two rooks for a move. White can still play Rh8, but somewhat better is to just exchange the queens:
2. Qb6 ab6
3. R1h3 wins a piece nice and clean.
Rh8+
Qf6
Black loses at least a piece. After 1. Qf6 the best that Black can do is:
1. .. Bh3 2. Qxb6 axb6 3.R1xh3
Black does worse, with either:
1. .. Bxf6 2. gxf6 Rxd4+ 3. Nxd4 Qxd4+ 4. Rxd4 Kg8 5. Rdh4
1. .. Rxd4+ 2. Nxd4 Bxf6 3. gxf6 Qxd4+ 4. Rxd4 Kg8 5. Rdh4
1.Qf6! (Seems to be the right move for winning.)The next threat is 2.Rh8+!(Check mate to follow)
After 1…BxQ 2.gxB (The H file rooks will seal blacks fate.)
If, 2…Rxd4+ White simply plays 3.Kc1!!
If, 2…Qxd4+ 3.Nxd4 Rxd4+ 4.Kxc1!!
The threat 5.Rh8# is un-stoppable.
In my earlier comment there is slight error.
If, 2…Rxd4+ Or, 2…Qxd4+ after 3.Nxd4 Qxd4+ Or, 3…Rxd4+ 4.Rxd4, black is very much behind in material, with a bad position.
1.Qf6!
If 1….. Bxf6 then
2. gxf6. any move
3. Rh8#
If black does not take queen and plays any other move then
2.Rh8+ Bxh8
3.Rxh8#
1Qf6 is finish
Qf6!!
1. Qf6 (to block all escape routes for black King) Bxf6 2. gxf6 (threatening 3. Rh8#) Rxd4+ 3. Nxd4 Qxd4+ 4. Rxd4 Kg8 and white is one rook up. 1-0
1. Qf6
1. Qf6!!! threatening Rh8+ and Rxh8#
If 1…Bxf6. 2. gxf6 threatening Rh8#
Forced 2…..Rxd4+ 3. Nxd4 Qxd4+ 4. Rxd4 and white is a rook plus with a mating attack
If. 1..Rxd4+ 2. Ncd4. Qxd4+ 3. Rxd4 Bxf6 4. gxf6 transposing into above.
If.1…Bh3 2. Qxb6.axb6 3. R1xh3 and white is a piece.
Harry
Looks to me that Qf6 seals the deal. Whatever black plays, the Q stays on f6 till the B captures her. If B doesn’t, it will be mate on h8, unstoppable. If black takes the pawn+, then first N takes, then R. White’s King could step aside at all times.
Beautiful Q sack!
1. Qf6! Bxf6 (otherwise Rh8+ Bxh8 Rxh8#)
2. gxf6 Rxd4+ (otherwise Rh8#)
3. Nxd4 Qxd4+ (otherwise Rh8#)
4. Rxd4 Kg8
First opportunity to move king and stop the mate threat, but too late.
The sack was regained with the interest of a rook.
Happy New Year USA!
Warmest greetings!
I C 1.Qf6!
Escape the cold….book now into
the Jukkasjärvi Ice Hotel, Sweden.
Walls, beds, chairs made of ice
and the temperature is a sweltering -5C so you can ditch a few layers!
Seriously, hope your megacold spell ends soon.
Cheers!
0-0-0
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Qf6 wins!