Chess puzzle

JellyBaby · Post by **JellyBaby** » Sun Jul 02, 2023 11:09 pm

: White plays up, checkmate in 2 moves; View recent photos.png (458.41 KiB) Viewed 3026 times

New puzzle! Checkmate in 2 moves…

CaymanClaret · Post by **CaymanClaret** » Sun Jul 02, 2023 11:16 pm

Nice puzzle! This one didnt take too long, but I do a lot of puzzles!

Bosscat · Post by **Bosscat** » Sun Jul 02, 2023 11:17 pm

A board wouldn't make it this far ... would be kicked and the chessy bits would be all over the floor

CaymanClaret · Post by **CaymanClaret** » Sun Jul 02, 2023 11:41 pm

Like lots of puzzles - I doubt any game is ever going to get into this situation, but that's not the point!

Takes me back to when we were given a big folder of chess puzzles by our headmaster, Mr Bleazard

bfcjg · Post by **bfcjg** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 6:55 am

Hmmm
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0f64qJorLrY

Quickenthetempo · Post by **Quickenthetempo** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 9:24 am

The board is horrible to look at. Make me think I have some sort of OCD to chess boards.

But I presume the queen taking the pawn at G7 and then E5 wins it?

CaymanClaret · Post by **CaymanClaret** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 9:29 am

Other way around, but pretty much there.

CaymanClaret · Post by **CaymanClaret** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 9:32 am

Actually, trying to work out if there's any out if we go your way around. Not seen any yet....

CaymanClaret · Post by **CaymanClaret** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 9:32 am

But it would be more than 2 moves...

Quickenthetempo · Post by **Quickenthetempo** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 10:08 am

CaymanClaret wrote: ↑
Mon Jul 03, 2023 9:32 am
But it would be more than 2 moves...

The Knight at f8 could move to d7 (protecting the pawn at e5) to delay to 3 moves. But would be a silly move in a game as it would be taken straight away.

houseboy · Post by **houseboy** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 10:15 am

Re5x K e4 (forced)
Bd4 mate

houseboy · Post by **houseboy** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 10:18 am

Does anyone on here play on Gameknot? Just wondered. Used to play for Rossendale in the East Lancs chess league years ago but only online now. If anyone ever fancies on online game give me a shout.

CaymanClaret · Post by **CaymanClaret** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 10:35 am

houseboy wrote: ↑
Mon Jul 03, 2023 10:15 am
Re5x K e4 (forced)
Bd4 mate

Rxe5 forces kxr on e5
Qxg7

Mate

CaymanClaret · Post by **CaymanClaret** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 10:43 am

Arggh wait, that's not right either!

kendaldave · Post by **kendaldave** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 11:27 am

I think it's bishop takes pawn at G3, doesn't matter what black does, rook takes pawn at E5

CaymanClaret · Post by **CaymanClaret** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 11:38 am

It's the 2 move thing which is annoying me.

You're right - BxG3 leads to mate too. But pointless as it is, PxD6 leads to check which will draw it out longer than 2 moves. In fact, that move rules out a bunch of answers on the basis it will add an extra move (or two).

Thats why I thought you'd have to put black into check on white's next move to rule this out...

Quickenthetempo · Post by **Quickenthetempo** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 11:38 am

kendaldave wrote: ↑
Mon Jul 03, 2023 11:27 am
I think it's bishop takes pawn at G3, doesn't matter what black does, rook takes pawn at E5

The Knight at f8 could move to d7 (protecting the pawn at e5) to delay to 3 moves. But would be a silly move in a game as it would be taken straight away

That's what I said about my way, could be the same with yours.

CaymanClaret · Post by **CaymanClaret** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 11:47 am

Its Qg8 - cant stop that

CaymanClaret · Post by **CaymanClaret** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 11:48 am

And I kept trying to move the black pawns the wrong way due to the massively unnatural board position!

houseboy · Post by **houseboy** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 12:29 pm

CaymanClaret wrote: ↑
Mon Jul 03, 2023 10:43 am
Arggh wait, that's not right either!

I know because it is as I said. Rxp (e5) forces the King followed by the Bishop move and the King has nowhere to go. Mate.

houseboy · Post by **houseboy** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 12:37 pm

RXpe5check
King f3 (sorry...typo on my first post)
Bishop d5 Mate (also a typo on my first post).

Apologies for the typos on the first post...I was flicking up and down between posts. Anyway that is the answer.

bfcmik · Post by **bfcmik** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 12:46 pm

houseboy wrote: ↑
Mon Jul 03, 2023 12:37 pm
RXpe5check
King f3 (sorry...typo on my first post)
Bishop d5 Mate (also a typo on my first post).

Apologies for the typos on the first post...I was flicking up and down between posts. Anyway that is the answer.

After R x e5ch is K x e5

eastanglianclaret · Post by **eastanglianclaret** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 12:51 pm

Houseboy...I'm not good at chess but if RXpe5 then couldn't the king just take the rook at e5 to get out of the check rather than move to f3? If not, then once at f3 couldn't the king take the pawn at f2 to prolong the game?

JohnMac · Post by **JohnMac** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 1:03 pm

Why didn't Black take the Queen on the previous move as it is threatened from Knight and Rook?

I don't do these thing nor have I played Chess for about 40 years, it may be obvious

Duffer_ · Post by **Duffer_** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 3:31 pm

Qxh4
Then either Rxg4 or Qxg4

Duffer_ · Post by **Duffer_** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 3:59 pm

CaymanClaret wrote: ↑
Mon Jul 03, 2023 11:47 am
Its Qg8 - cant stop that

Bugger! Just seen this

Hipper · Post by **Hipper** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 4:02 pm

Duffer_ wrote: ↑
Mon Jul 03, 2023 3:31 pm
Qxh4
Then either Rxg4 or Qxg4

After Qxh4, if black moves his Knight to e6 he can block next moving Knight to f4, meaning more than two moves.

Elbarad · Post by **Elbarad** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 6:31 pm

Rxg4
RxRg4
P to g5 mate

Claret Toni · Post by **Claret Toni** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 7:27 pm

White playing up the table?

Elbarad · Post by **Elbarad** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 7:42 pm

Elbarad wrote: ↑
Mon Jul 03, 2023 6:31 pm
Rxg4
RxRg4
P to g5 mate

Dang it that won’t work. The black knight can block.

CaymanClaret · Post by **CaymanClaret** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 7:56 pm

It's Qg8 I still reckon. Can't see how it's not mate in 2.

houseboy · Post by **houseboy** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 8:05 pm

eastanglianclaret wrote: ↑
Mon Jul 03, 2023 12:51 pm
Houseboy...I'm not good at chess but if RXpe5 then couldn't the king just take the rook at e5 to get out of the check rather than move to f3? If not, then once at f3 couldn't the king take the pawn at f2 to prolong the game?

Ha ha. I said I was flipping up and down the thread. Yes, I was playing the board upside down and thinking the Rook was protected by the pawn. What a knobhead. I’ve played thousands of games and still play most days and I missed that.

I’ll have a rethink.

JellyBaby · Post by **JellyBaby** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 8:15 pm

CaymanClaret wrote: ↑
Mon Jul 03, 2023 7:56 pm
It's Qg8 I still reckon. Can't see how it's not mate in 2.

Yep. Don’t have it confirmed yet but pretty sure that’s it

Duffer_ · Post by **Duffer_** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 8:18 pm

CaymanClaret wrote: ↑
Mon Jul 03, 2023 7:56 pm
It's Qg8 I still reckon. Can't see how it's not mate in 2.

Feels like we're all losing our marbles on this one!

It's Qxg7 isn't it?
Then Qx6g if the black knight moves there, or Qxe5 if it doesn't.

I am preparing to backtrack as I type

duncandisorderly · Post by **duncandisorderly** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 8:24 pm

Queen to G8 is the first move, then bishop to D5. Can't be stopped.

Elbarad · Post by **Elbarad** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 8:25 pm

I now think it’s queen takes rook. The king can’t move and anything black does leaves mate in one.

Firthy · Post by **Firthy** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 8:28 pm

duncandisorderly wrote: ↑
Mon Jul 03, 2023 8:24 pm
Queen to G8 is the first move, then bishop to D5. Can't be stopped.

Yes it can. Black Knight to E6

Firthy · Post by **Firthy** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 8:31 pm

Quickenthetempo wrote: ↑
Mon Jul 03, 2023 9:24 am
The board is horrible to look at. Make me think I have some sort of OCD to chess boards.

But I presume the queen taking the pawn at G7 and then E5 wins it?

Black Knight to D7 stops this

Croydon Claret · Post by **Croydon Claret** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 8:34 pm

Firthy wrote: ↑
Mon Jul 03, 2023 8:31 pm
Black Knight to D7 stops this

Not if knight goes to G6

Elbrand has it

Edit: You changed your answer whilst I was in mid reply

Oshkoshclaret · Post by **Oshkoshclaret** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 8:38 pm

Rxg4
RxRg4
Qh4 mate

Cruciverbalist · Post by **Cruciverbalist** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 9:21 pm

As it stands, the Black King cannot legally move anywhere and so that's how we should approach this puzzle.
1. Rxe5+ Kxe5
2. Qxg7+ 1-0

CaymanClaret · Post by **CaymanClaret** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 9:33 pm

Firthy wrote: ↑
Mon Jul 03, 2023 8:28 pm
Yes it can. Black Knight to E6

Qa8 is still checkmate in that example

IanMcL · Post by **IanMcL** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 9:51 pm

kendaldave wrote: ↑
Mon Jul 03, 2023 11:27 am
I think it's bishop takes pawn at G3, doesn't matter what black does, rook takes pawn at E5

Or if Knight plays check, Queen takes Knight. Mate.
Bishop taking pawn is the key.

houseboy · Post by **houseboy** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 11:11 pm

Done it. Qxg7 threatening Qxe5 mate. The only thing that can prevent that is the knight sacrifice Knxg6 to protect the e5 pawn. But then QxKn is mate.

Firthy · Post by **Firthy** » Tue Jul 04, 2023 12:20 am

houseboy wrote: ↑
Mon Jul 03, 2023 11:11 pm
Done it. Qxg7 threatening Qxe5 mate. The only thing that can prevent that is the knight sacrifice Knxg6 to protect the e5 pawn. But then QxKn is mate.

But what if B Knight moves to d7 to prorect e5 pawn

Firthy · Post by **Firthy** » Tue Jul 04, 2023 12:29 am

Cayman has it

queen to g8 then bishop to d5 or queen to a8 if B knight blocks bishop move

Elbarad · Post by **Elbarad** » Tue Jul 04, 2023 12:48 am

Croydon Claret · Post by **Croydon Claret** » Tue Jul 04, 2023 8:00 am

Firthy wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 04, 2023 12:29 am
Cayman has it

queen to g8 then bishop to d5 or queen to a8 if B knight blocks bishop move

Black could move pawn to F2, meaning that King can escape the attack by then moving to E3

houseboy · Post by **houseboy** » Tue Jul 04, 2023 9:59 am

Firthy wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 04, 2023 12:29 am
Cayman has it

queen to g8 then bishop to d5 or queen to a8 if B knight blocks bishop move

Think you’re right here bud. Qg8 threatens mate with Bishop. Knight blocks Bishop (only move I can see) and Qa8 is mate.
I love chess and have played thousands of games against people all over the world but puzzles do my head in, largely because they don’t normally reflect any real game play. I can’t imagine a situation where this position would result from any normal game play.

Hipper · Post by **Hipper** » Tue Jul 04, 2023 10:09 am

houseboy wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 04, 2023 9:59 am
Think you’re right here bud. Qg8 threatens mate with Bishop. Knight blocks Bishop (only move I can see) and Qa8 is mate.
I love chess and have played thousands of games against people all over the world but puzzles do my head in, largely because they don’t normally reflect any real game play. I can’t imagine a situation where this position would result from any normal game play.

But Croydon's post above yours shows a black solution.

The more you look at this bloody thing the more impossible it seems. My thinking is you have to try to keep black in check so it cannot do any other moves.