Answers at the bottom of the page…
 |
| Puzzle 1: White to play and win in 4 moves. |
 |
| Puzzle 2: White to play and win in 5 moves. |
 |
| Puzzle 3: White to play and win in 3 moves. |
 |
| Puzzle 4: White to play and win in 7 moves. |
 |
| Puzzle 5: Black to play and win in 7 moves. |
 |
| Puzzle 6: White to play and win in 4 moves. |
ANSWERS
Puzzle 1
This is known as Smothered Mate.
| 1 |
Nf7+ |
Kg8 If …Rxf7 then Qd8 forces mate in 2 |
| 2 |
Nh6+ |
Kh8 |
| 3 |
Qg8+ |
Rxg8 |
| 4 |
Nf7++ Mate |
Puzzle 2
| 1 |
Nf4 |
Kh7 |
| 2 |
Bg5 |
Kh8 |
| 3 |
Ng6+ |
Kh7 |
| 4 |
Nf8+ |
Kh8 |
| 5 |
Bf6++ Mate |
Puzzle 3
| 1 |
Qxf6+ |
exf6 If …Kg8 then Nh6++ Mate |
| 2 |
Bxf6+ |
Kg8 |
| 3 |
Nh6++ Mate |
Puzzle 4
| 1 |
Rc7+ |
Kh8 1… Kf8 loses to 2. Rc8+ Rxc8; 3.bxc8/Q+ Kg7; 4.Qg8++ or 3…Ke7; 4. Bg5++ |
| 2 |
Bh6 |
a1/Q+ |
| 3 |
Kg2 |
Rg3+ …Rg3+ is the only way to survive another move |
| 4 |
hxg3 |
Qh1+ …Qh1+ is the only way to survive another move |
| 5 |
Kxh1 |
Rg8 |
| 6 |
b8/Q |
fxg4 Black can’t do anything about the attack |
| 7 |
Bg7++ Mate |
Puzzle 5
| 1 |
|
Ra3+ |
| 2 |
Kb2 |
Ra2+ |
| 3 |
Kb1 |
Raxc2 If Kc3 then Raxc2+, Kd3, Be4++ |
| 4 |
Bd2 |
Rexd2 White can only delay the attack by giving away pieces |
| 5 |
Rb4 |
cxb4 |
| 6 |
g3 |
Bb3 White has no other possible moves |
| 7 |
g4 |
Rf1++ |
Puzzle 6
| 1 |
Nf6+ |
Kg7/Kh8 |
| 2 |
Ng4+ |
Nd4/Ne5 |
| 3 |
Bxd4+/Bxe5+ |
Kg8 |
| 4 |
Nh6++ Mate |
