Think about who has an interest in a space far away from him. And then of course think about who else.
The challenge is to find the checkmate in 2 moves.
That is, try to find the move that White can play now that will allow him to win by checkmate in the next move. This is the winning move. Did you find it? With what checkmate move do you plan to win in the second move? Note that there are moves that only look like a winning move but are notโฆ Then try to think about Black’s defensive attempts as well and find the appropriate checkmate move for each of them. Good luck and enjoy!
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In the given position, the โ on e1 pins the โ on e5, which itself pins the โ on d5.
Moving the โ from the h-file opens a path for the โ toward h8…
If Black tries to defend by moving the โ vertically โ opening a line for the โ toward h8 โ then the โ on d4 becomes unpinned and delivers mate on d8.
Another defensive idea for Black is playing โb3, which opens a line for the โ to f8 (where it could block after โh8+).
To make the response โa4# possible, White must preemptively block the path of the โ from f1 to b5.
Therefore, the first move must be โe2 โ a move that blocks the โ on e1 and lifts the pin on the โ, allowing it to capture the โ on d5 and give check.
In reply, โb5# blocks the check while delivering a double check โ from both the โ and the โ โ checkmate.
๐กWe especially liked:
๐How โ stands in the open, two entire rows just for him, and the entire attack happens “by remote control”.
And the elegance of moving the pieces from side to side of the board in all sorts of directionsโฆ We enjoyed it.
I liked this scene: He opens the door for her. She goes out. He closes it. Game over.
Thank you Victor for the response! But… did you mean to comment specifically on this puzzle? Your cool response seems really appropriate there ๐
Oh, I think this system doesn’t like me. I thought for a long time and checked carefully.
My move – takes the bishop standing on the left to the C5 square.
and … – That tells me “almost solution” ???
Hi King Alexander,
Excellent reasoning โ youโre absolutely circling the right idea here.
What makes it an โalmostโ is fascinating: the very move that refutes your plan is closely tied to the key move that creates the winning idea in the actual solution. Subtle and elegant โ just the kind of twist we love to see.
โ The ChessAPit Team
Yes!! I did it!
I found the right solution.
What a genius
puzzle! A really beautiful solution.
But
still – does anyone know why B to C5 is not another good solution??
Hi King Alexander,
Brilliant work โ weโre thrilled you found the full solution! ๐
And your follow-up question about โc5 is an excellent one: itโs so close to working that it almost echoes the real idea.
That fine distinction between the two moves is what gives this puzzle its special charm.
โ The ChessAPit Team
How do you block Nf4+? I mean: Why isn’t that the solution?
Hi Sonicizi,
Youโve touched on something very real โ to be honest, we hadnโt seriously considered โf4+ during. We’re often so focused on the more โartisticโ or non-check first moves that the obvious checks sometimes get overlooked at first glance ๐
But you’re absolutely right to test them โ and this one comes surprisingly close!
As for why itโs not the solution: weโre confident that Shlomi Yerushalmi always double-checks to avoid unintended sidelines. Weโll leave it to other solvers to spot the subtle refutationโฆ ๐ต๏ธโ๏ธ
โ The ChessAPit Team