White to move. How should white proceed?
3r1bk1/1qrb1ppp/3p1P2/n2P4/2p3R1/pP2BB1P/P4QP1/1R5K w – – 0 1
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Rg7 plays itself:
1. Rg7 Bg7 (Kh8 below)
2. Qg3
Pinning the now twice attack, once-protected bishop. There is no defense to the mate, and only one delaying move I can find:
2. …..Kf8
Black can delay it for a move by playing Bg4 here, but the rest is the same except that white will deliver the mate with the bishop from g4 after black plays the king to d7 (the hole opened by sacrificing the bishop). Continuing:
3. Qg7 Ke8
4. Qh8#
At move 1, black can play the king to h8, but white need only force black to take the rook:
1. Rg7 Kh8
2. Rh7!
Denuding the king. Continuing:
2. …..Kh7 (Kg8 3.Qh4+-)
3. Be4
Here, 3.Qh4 will win, too, but this line wins a tempo by getting the bishop on the b1/h7 diagonal with check. Continuing:
3. …..Kg8 (Kh8 4.Qh4 Kg8 5.Qh7#)
4. Qg3 Kh8
5. Qh4 Kg8
6. Qh7#
Rg7+ followed by Qg3 wins whether BxR or Kh8
Rg7+ followed by Qg3 wins whether BxR or Kh8
Well Thats a simple one. R#g7 is obvious. Black can go fast with Kh6 and r#h7 check….or even faster with R#g7 B#g7 Qg3.
1 R:g7+ B:g7; 2 Qg3
Rxg7 and if Bxg7 then Qg3+ seems to win. If black doesn’t take the rook, then Rxh7+ and after that white seems to win with Be4 and queen coming to play
1. Rxg7+ Bxg7
2. Qg3 . I don’t see how black can defend g7 after that..
The alternative..
1. Rxg7+ Kh8
2. Rxh7+ Kxh7
3. Be4+ Kg8
4. Qg3+ Kh8
5. Qh4+ and Qh7#
1. Rxg7+ Kh8 or [1. … Bxg7 2. Qg3 Bg4 (avoids getting mated by Qg8# in couple of moves) 3. Qxg4 Kf8 4. Qxg7+ Ke8 5. Qg8+ Kd7 6. Bg4#]
2. Rxh7+ or [2. Qg3, but I don’t want to have to think about the interference from a Black Be7 and Qxd5]
2. … Kxh7
3. Be4+ Kg8
4. Qg3+ Bg4 (postpones the inevitable)
5. Qxg4+ Kh8
6. Qf5 any
7. Qh7#
this kind of situation is common enough that everyone should become familiar with it.
Rxg7+ and if Bxg7 then Qg3
1.Rxg7+! Bxg7 2.Qg3 or 1…Kh8 2.Rxh7+ Kxh7 3.Qh4+ Kg8 4.Be4 toasts Black.
Rxg7+