Chess Puzzle #34389

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CHESS PUZZLE, FEN 1KNR4/2Pb3p/1p5p/1Rnk1N1Q/6P1/6P1/p1P5/B7 w - -

Added by:	bubanja
Added on:	08-Feb-11
Description:
Difficulty:	chess puzzle 1KNR4/2Pb3p/1p5p/1Rnk1N1Q/6P1/6P1/p1P5/B7 w - -
Attempts:	468
Solved:	69 (14%)


White to move, mate in 2

Comments: (7) » Last

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phonybenoni
02-Apr-18, 01:03

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A random-looking key. You have to think a bit to realize why wny it works.

gillberg
02-Apr-18, 06:07

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very hard

This was one of the hardest 2 movers I have ever seen.

existentialist
02-Apr-18, 10:26

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Two factors made this particularly difficult for me.

First, by the usual conventions first move checks are not usually considered appropriate to solutions because they are too easy. Not this one.

Second, in this zugzwang position, if black were to move first, and move Ke4, then the solution would be 2. Qh1 checkmate. Nh4 prevents that, and requires a substitute solution. It also provides that substitute solution but that is not at first obvious.

kingdawar
18-Oct-22, 02:01

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Composed by Peter Hoffmann, 1990

snailmate
04-Jan-25, 09:24

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@existentialist

I deliberately ignored possible first move checks, for the reason you give, and it was only after I tried every other possibility that I decided the solution must be a check after all. Once I accepted that, it was not too hard to find the correct check.

honeybrook
04-Jan-25, 13:12

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Multiple answers

If Black plays the King to c6, yes The Rook Mates.

But Black has other options: 2...Ke4. Lasts longer but still loses.

snailmate
06-Jan-25, 03:08

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@honeybrook

I think you mean 1...Ke4.

It does not last longer. If 1...Ke4, 2. Qe5#.

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