Incredibly hard chess puzzle. Mate in 3

[LoyalSoldier]

I should warn everyone not to lose sleep over this one. It is tough to find the solution on you own unless you are looking in the right place. It is a classic puzzle so some may have already seen this one.

White to move, Mate in 3



Now there is a quark to this one, but it is completely within the normal rules of chess. Black has a defense. If you are thinking you have a mate in two by

1. Qf1+ Kxh2
2. Rh3#

Black's defense trumps that. The key is to find black's defense and how to defeat it.

Because this one can be hard, I will try to give as many hints as possible. Spoilers will be posted in a day or so.

[Just2Good]

If you are thinking you have a mate in two by

1. Qf1+ Kxh2
2. Rh3#

Black's defense trumps that. The key is to find black's defense and how to defeat it.

I can't see how black escapes mate that two move checkmate variation Loyal Soldier!

[shaun]

Answer hidden below

[spoil=Answer]1. Rxg6 otherwise Black claims a draw by 50 move rule.[/spoil]

[Just2Good]

Answer hidden below (highlight to reveal)

.

I think you just sunk Loyal Soldier's Battle Ship Shaun!

AO

ps- Any objections to me putting your answer in spoiler tags [spoil=answer] and then closing the tags? It looks less caveman style, and more sophisticated.

[shaun]

Whatever works best.

[vagrantnomad]

I think you just sunk Loyal Soldier's Battle Ship Shaun!

AO

and with a move to spair , nice!
I never would have thought of that!

[LoyalSoldier]

Whatever works best.

I have to ask if you have seen this one before because it is a classic problem. I also gave more information than I should have.

[shaun]

No I hadn't seen it before. Indeed I was more interested in whether the position was legal or not, but once I worked out how the White bishop made it to b1, the penny dropped, and I realised what the 'trick' was. btw Spending the last 2 weeks as a tournament arbiter certainly helped.

[Just2Good]

I have to ask if you have seen this one before because it is a classic problem. I also gave more information than I should have.

I never would have gotten it, but having worked out the forced mate with Rh3 I would have given up the chase at that point. Anything else in your book of puzzles Loyal Soldier?

[LoyalSoldier]

I never would have gotten it, but having worked out the forced mate with Rh3 I would have given up the chase at that point. Anything else in your book of puzzles Loyal Soldier?

Oh I am sure I could find a few. I got a whole book of head scratchers.

[Euro-Chess]

Oh I am sure I could find a few. I got a whole book of head scratchers.

The en passant problem was very tricky LOL - Looking forward to the next puzzle.

[LoyalSoldier]

BTW here is a proof game to show how we got this position.

http://www.mrmip.net/mipsofacto/plaksin.htm

Thanks to Mr. Mip.

[YumYum]

Answer hidden below

[spoil=Answer]1. Rxg6 otherwise Black claims a draw by 50 move rule.[/spoil]

That's the answer I got too! I usually don't pick up on these, but I guess I got a little lucky!

[Simon]

I should warn everyone not to lose sleep over this one. It is tough to find the solution on you own unless you are looking in the right place. It is a classic puzzle so some may have already seen this one.

White to move, Mate in 3



Now there is a quark to this one, but it is completely within the normal rules of chess. Black has a defense. If you are thinking you have a mate in two by

1. Qf1+ Kxh2
2. Rh3#

Black's defense trumps that. The key is to find black's defense and how to defeat it.

Because this one can be hard, I will try to give as many hints as possible. Spoilers will be posted in a day or so.

Just looking at that puzzle makes my head hurt! I am not going to look at any posts other than post 1 though, in case some has already solved this one.

[Ehm TO]

Just looking at that puzzle makes my head hurt! I am not going to look at any posts other than post 1 though, in case some has already solved this one.

It does look like a mate in 2, I can't see any defence for black - so the 50 move rule stuff is ridiculous