White to move. Does White have an attack or has White sacrificed too much? How should White proceed?
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
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White to move. Does White have an attack or has White sacrificed too much? How should White proceed?
White definitely has something, a winning position.
1.Rxh6 threatening Rh8#
1 … gxh6 (g7 loses to Rh8 followed by R1h7#)
2.Qg2+ Kh7 (or Kh8)
3.Rg1 and black is in a helpless position since he can not defend Qg7#. Black can delay the checkmate a little while by playing Qxe5 or Qxc1+ but the position is lost and mate will inevitably follow. Black’s knight and light squared bishop seems to be more of a hindrance than an ally.
A few things that just saw looking back at the position. Black can reply 1 … g5 but there is a forced mate with
2.Rh8+ Kg7
3.R1h7+ Kg6
4.Qe4#
Another thing that I overlooked is that after
1.Rxh6 gxh6
2.Qg2+ Kh7 (or Kh8)
3.Rg1
Black can reply 3 … Qd4+ and then exchange his queen for the rook.
1. Rxh6 gh
2. Qg2+ Kh7 (2….Kh8 3. Rxh6#)
3. Bd3+ f5 (3….Kh8 4. Rxh6#)
4. ef+ Kh8
5. Qg7#
Ok I think I finally have the solution now. Maybe analyzing chess puzzles at 2 in the morning is not the most effective time.
1.Rxh6 gxh6
2.Qg2+ Kh7 (Kh8 loses to Rxh6 which I stupidly missed)
3.Bd3+ f5 (Kh8 loses to Rxh6 again)
4.e.p.+ Kh8
5.Rxh6#
This was a good puzzle Susan. I managed to work this one out in my head. I can use all the practice I can get.
Great Blog. Keep up the good work.
I actually think it is better without you giving the answers. It helps to develop confidence in my own ability to work it out. When the answer is there I do not work at it. I simply read the answer and think I learned when I really did not learn. I need to be forced to work on the problem on my own to help me have confidence in myself. When I get the answer right I need to have confidence that I did it correctly.
Rxh6 was obvious. Continuation less.
Frankly I did not find the right path, only 1st mover.
Good job , good team work!
I think it is better not to have Susan discover the solutions for us. Anyway one can learn the solution from peers
Cheers
1. Rh6 gh
2. Qg2+ Kh7
3. Qg5
Now mate is imminent.
4. Rh6#