This was an actual game between Portisch and Seirawan in 1982. It is white to move and checkmate in 8 moves. Can you find it?
r3q3/kp1nb1R1/p1p2r2/Q1P2P1p/2B1p1pP/4B1P1/PP3P2/2KR4 w – – 0 1
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
Practical chess tactic: Checkmate in 8
I can solve it in 7 moves. My name is Venky. But I will wait to see other solutions before I show you the best answer. I don’t want to spoil it for you guys. Variations exist.
I can’t find mate. But white wins for sure. Black’s knight and bishop do a good job defending the back rank as well as the f4-b8 diagonal. So,
1. Rxd7! Qxd7
2. Qb6+ Kb8
3. Rg8+ Rf8
( If 3……Bf8
4. Bf4+ Kc8
5. Be6 Rxe6
6. Rxf8+ Re8
7. Rxe8+ Qxe8
8. Qc7# )
4. Bf4+ Kc8
5. Rxf8+ Bxf8
6. Be6 1-0
Oh, I see that it is mate after that.
LOL!!
Mate in 3, not 8
1 Bxa6! Kb8 (if 1…bxa6 2 Qc7mate) 2 Bf4+ Ka7 (if 2…Kc8 3 Qc7mate) 3 Bb5mate
what am I missing ?
I think you are missing 1… Bd8.
1.Rxd7 Qxd7 (not taking the rook loses faster for e.g. Qc8 loses to Rgxe7 and an assault later)
2.Qb6+ Kb8 (forced)
3.Be6 Rxe6 (taking the Bishop with the Queen or moving the Queen away lose to Bf4+ and Black can delay by stopping the check)
4.fxe6 Qd8 (taking the pawn loses to Rg8#, Qc8 loses too)
5.Bf4+ Kc8 (Black cannot stop the check and protect the b7)
6.Rg8 Bf8 (taking the rook loses to Qc7# and Black can now only delay)
7.Rxf8 Qxf8
8.Qc7#
1.Rxd7 Qxd7
refusal is worse.
1…. Bd8 2Rxb7#
1…. Qc8 2Qb6+ Kb8 3Bf4+ wins fast.
2.Qb6+ Kb8
3.Rg8+
The order of moves now is important. 3… bf4+ Kc8 4Rg8+ allows 4… Bd8.White may win but not within 8 moves.
3… Rf8
3… Bf8 4Bf4+ Kc8 5 Rxf8+ Rxf8 6Be6 Rf7 7Qc7#
4.Bf4+ Kc8
5.Rxf8+ Bxf8
6.Be6 Bd6
7.Bxd6 Qxe6
8.Qc7#
Flashy tactics but is it practical chess at low-lever proficiency? Heisman thinks not. What are your point of view about it?
Prof S.G.Bhat: 3…., Bd8 and mate can’t be done in 8.
Friends is right, 3.Be6 is the only move for mate in 8.
Dear Mr. davey,
You are right.I thought 3… Bd8 4 Rxd8+ matter is over. since it was only 4th move I thought it would be mate by 8th move.However on analysing I find mate comes on 9th move. Thank you for pointing the slip.
1. Rxd7 Qxd7 2. Qb6+ Kb8 3. Bf4+ Kc8 4. Be6 Rxe6 5. fxe6 Qd8 6. Rg8 Bf8 7. Rxf8 Qxf8 8. Qc7#
Exactly 8 moves!
Dear Anonymous at 2:58:00 PM,
After 5… a5 or e3 no mate within 8 moves.