1. Rh8+ Kxh8 2. Qh4+ and eventually Qh7+ and Qf7#; or 1…Kg7 2. Qc7+ Kxg6 3. Qh7+ Kg5 4. Qg7+ and Qxg4+ next, exchanging queens and taking the rook on a8.
In reply to Yancey Ward, 5. fg4 Ke6 is OK (although not as good as 5. Qxg4+) because white can simply take black’s knight on move 6 diffusing the mate threat.
No posts yet, so I approach the great Oz with fear and trembling.
1. Rh8 Kg7 (1. … Kxg8; 2. Qh4 Bh5 3. Qxh5+ Kg8 (or g7); 4. Qh7+ Kf8 5. Qf7#)
2. Qc7+ Kxg6
3. Qh7+ Kg5
4. Qg7+ Kf5 (4. … Kf4; 5. Qxg4+ Ke5; 6. Qxd4+ Kxd4; 7. Rxa8
5. Qxg4+ Qxg4
6. fxg4+ and then Rxa8
1. Rh8 Kh8
2. Qh4 Bh5
3. Qh5 Kg8/g7
4. Qh7 Kf8
5. Qf7# and if
1. …..Kg7
2. Qc7 Kg6 (Kh8 is mate in one)
3. Qh7 Kg5
4. Qg7 Kf5 (Kf4, 5. Qg4 wins)
5. Qg4 Qg4
6. fg4 Kg4
7. Ra8 also wins, but
5. fg4 Ke6 looks bad for white due to the mate threat- white has no check on the black king for one move.
1. Rh8+ Kxh8 2. Qh4+ and eventually Qh7+ and Qf7#; or 1…Kg7 2. Qc7+ Kxg6 3. Qh7+ Kg5 4. Qg7+ and Qxg4+ next, exchanging queens and taking the rook on a8.
Yikes! I never like to see my solutions pop up so quickly. Makes me think I am missing something.:~)
But I do take comfort that jcheyne sees it the same way I do.
In reply to Yancey Ward, 5. fg4 Ke6 is OK (although not as good as 5. Qxg4+) because white can simply take black’s knight on move 6 diffusing the mate threat.
Anonymous,
Yeah, you are correct about the mate being gone, and after your comment, I though black could draw but I forgot that the white rook still covers h1:
6. cd3 Qd3
7. Ke1 Qe4
8. Kf1 and now Qh1 isn’t available.
8. …..Qd3
9. Kg1 Rh8
10.Qh8 and white should be able to consolidate his position and win- he is up a rook.