Chess Puzzle #9664

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CHESS PUZZLE, FEN 4N3/5B1p/8/4k1p1/4p1PN/4K3/5P2/8 w - -

Added by:	fredkohn
Added on:	07-Mar-09
Description:
Difficulty:	chess puzzle 4N3/5B1p/8/4k1p1/4p1PN/4K3/5P2/8 w - -
Attempts:	1470
Solved:	939 (63%)


White to move, mate in 2

Comments: (23) » Last

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vluggejapie
04-Aug-14, 00:47

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Nice one !

Funny problem, clever solution!

arun9
04-Aug-14, 01:21

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more solutions

we have to keep the bishop on a2 -g8 diagonal [a2 b3 c4 & g8 ] on the first move black has to move h pawn

jonellis
04-Aug-14, 01:57

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Very nice.

1. f2-f3

If 1... PxP, 2 NxP mate.

If 1... h7-h6 or h7-h5, 2, Ng6 mate.

archduke_piccolo
04-Aug-14, 02:58

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Very clever puzzle...

One very unusual feature: the key move increases Black's defensive options. That the position features no major pieces is an added attraction. There are times when one would like to add a star for aesthetics or creativity. I gave it 3 (average) but thought more highly of it than that. Though not difficult, it is a satisfying puzzle. I reckon fkohn might have the makings of a fine problem composer.

wardh
04-Aug-14, 02:59

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more solutions?

arun9, If white moves his B along the a2-g8 diagonal black plays gxh4 and then after f2-f4 follows e4xf3 ep. Therefore f3 is the only move to start with.

macheide
04-Aug-14, 03:46

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A really beautiful puzzle. Congratulations.

not_a_walrus
04-Aug-14, 04:21

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Extremely nice

This is one of the nicest I've seen in the easy puzzles section. Very well done.

fezzik
04-Aug-14, 06:34

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Adding to the chorus

I really liked this one too!

paviland
04-Aug-14, 07:36

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Stylish Composition

I like this puzzle - carefully thought out. Since the h4 knight is about to be taken, the logical thing to do is to move another 'piece' to bring about mate & you soon see f3 is the only thing that can do that

maxwellunsmart
04-Aug-14, 08:57

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Nicely Done

Very well done fkohn, I liked it as well!

mcoates
04-Aug-14, 09:43

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A very good problem. I don't think I have seen that sort of pawn maneuver as a solution. Well done.

the_17_pawn
04-Aug-14, 10:18

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Yeah, that was a quite good puzzle(That may explain the relatively low pass rate, i.e, currently 62%). It didn't took me much time to see the idea behind 1.f3!, however, it was a very clever idea nevertheless. The main point is to play f4#, but avoiding the saving move ...exf3 e.p. Once more, Black gets in zugzwang after White's 1st move.

divinityinfinity
04-Aug-14, 11:26

Comment deleted on 21-Apr-16, 03:25

amelialee
04-Aug-14, 12:00

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Not fav

I don't got any fav!

donfernando
04-Aug-14, 15:13

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excelent, very nice puzzle

existentialist
04-Aug-14, 16:18

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That is a very pretty little puzzle.

As one other comment stated, white's first move actually increases black's defensive options, but its still zugzwang; none of his options work.

snailmate
06-Mar-25, 03:27

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My reasoning:
- The h4 knight cannot move; it cannot give mate immediately, and any other move prevents it from mating on the next move.
- given that, a counter to 1...g5xh4 is required - but 2. f2f4 doesn't work because of the en passant capture.
- therefore, the f2 pawn must move as the key move, and it has to be to f3 mor the same reason as given above, i.e. to forestall an e.p. capture.

dracoargentum
06-Mar-25, 05:55

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@snailmate

Please note that it is not the en passant capture that rules out f2f4. It is the pawn on g5 that can capture with check that ruins that solution.

d5america
06-Mar-25, 10:19

Comment deleted on 06-Mar-25, 11:21

d5america
06-Mar-25, 10:22

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Oops

Did not realize the white knight is under attack. I take back my Bishop move question.

existentialist
06-Mar-25, 10:25

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As post by wardh in responses to a similar inquiry above,

if the bishop moves on the diagonal then that allows gxh4. I missed that at first too.

snailmate
07-Mar-25, 08:29

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@dracoargentum

What you say is true about f2f4 as a first move. I was referring to White's second move. 2. f2f4 is ruled out as a mating move even after g5xh4, because of the e.p. capture.

dracoargentum
07-Mar-25, 09:03

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@snailmate

Yes, you are correct. White needs his Knight at h4 to deliver the mate in response to the en passant capture.

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