Simple mate in 2?

Question

I used to be a problem composer and the thing I loved most about creating and solving chess problems is that you can't just rely on simple patterns. You need to think outside the box. This is one of my earlier chess problems. Can you solve it?

White to move and mate in 2

[fen "3BB1N1/QKp3pb/7p/5R1R/3br1k1/7N/4P2P/6n1 w - - 0 1"]

Good luck!

Aaron M · Accepted Answer · 2016-06-06T23:26:56.623

5

Adnan

1) Rf8 Ba7 2)Rh4#

or

1) Rf8 g5 2) Nh6#

Fun puzzle.

edited Jun 06 '16 at 23:26

answered Jun 06 '16 at 23:24

Aaron M

389
2
14

Why not 1. Rf1? – Dag Oskar Madsen Jun 06 '16 at 23:25
Now I see, because 1... Bf2. – Dag Oskar Madsen Jun 06 '16 at 23:26
Wow, that was quick! Well done :) – Adnan Jun 06 '16 at 23:29
These type of puzzles sometimes need a waiting move. – Aaron M Jun 06 '16 at 23:31
I first thought the solution was the ugly 1. Qxd4, but then luckily black has 1... Nxh3. I guess the value of a good problem is also in the alternative tries. – Dag Oskar Madsen Jun 06 '16 at 23:35
@AaronM It's actually not a waiting move. 1. Rf8 threatens 2. Rh4# :). – Adnan Jun 06 '16 at 23:42
Also 1.Rf8 Bf6 2.Qxd1# and 1.Rf8 Bf2 2.Nxf2# – Jivan Scarano Jun 07 '16 at 05:25
1

And also 1. Rf8 Re7 2. Rf4# – Dag Oskar Madsen Jun 07 '16 at 09:36

Simple mate in 2?

White to move and mate in 2

1 Answers1