What a mess. 49 possible first-moves. Can you find the one?
There’s also one that’s quite similar, why not that move?
You know how it works. As usual, you need to find a move that White can play now – a move that guarantees checkmate on the next turn, no matter how Black reacts. This is the winning move. Found it? Great! Now think ahead: what will be your checkmate move on the second turn?
Be careful – quite a few moves may look like winners, but they are notโฆ and this time you will also have a crazy dilemma between the real solution and the move that is ‘just next to it’.
So take a moment to think about how Black might try to defend, and make sure you have the right checkmate ready for every eventuality. Good luck – and have fun!
๐Read more about this Art-Puzzle
๐กRecommendation: Try solving it yourself first
Solved it yet?
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Of the 49 possible first-moves, 16 are check on Black.
To our surprise, the winning move is actually one of those that risks White getting check.
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Whiteโs idea is to promote the b-pawn on b8=โ#.
To clear the square he first moves his โ, and that single step lets the black โ deliver one of two possible checks.
Whichever check Black chooses, White can interpose with either his โ or his โ; the very act of blocking uncovers a line for another attacker (either the โ or the second โ) which now bears straight down on the black โ, and checkmate.
Black still has a second pair of defences: well-timed โ moves that hope to give the king a flight square on e6 or e8. Yet each of these tries is calmly answered by a capture with the โ. #.
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White’s attempt to play more cautiously (and give Black only one chance to threaten check) will lead him to what is ‘only almost’ a solution: after 1.โa8? Black has โf3! , pinning โb7 and still focusing on both โ and โ. the attack is stalled.
๐We especially liked:
In chess, promoting to a โ is always cool ๐
Here, thereโs even more to enjoy. The sophisticated way the composer forces the โ to step onto a7 instead of a8 really won our admiration ๐.
And even though Black lost in the end (since you managed to win by solving the puzzle ๐), special credit goes to the โ and the square f3 โ they truly did everything they could ๐๏ธ
Why make it so complicated? Why??
Hi bitqo,
Fair question ๐
Sometimes the complication is the point โ exploring an idea to its limits is part of the artistic side of these puzzles. Thanks for engaging with it!
โ The ChessAPit Team
I thought I found the solution,
then I found out it wasn’t true,
then I thought I found the solution,
then I found out it wasn’t true,
then I thought I found the solution,
then I found out it wasn’t true…
and then
I finally succeeded! (And I still haven’t found out it wasn’t true so please don’t spoil it for me)
Hi solver,
That perfectly captures the experience โ doubt, discovery, doubt againโฆ and then the moment of victory
We promise not to spoil anything โ enjoy that well-earned success!
โ The ChessAPit Team
Really cool. But you should write that it is allowed to choose a horse because not everyone plays by this rule
Hi Olivia,
Thank you for pointing that out โ itโs a fair remark.
Under standard chess rules, promoting to a knight is always allowed, but youโre right that not everyone expects it. We appreciate the suggestion.
โ The ChessAPit Team
Is 49 a lot? There are more branched starting situations in this collection…