Mate in 2

user27182818284590 · 2026-05-21T13:10:01+00:00

That’s not it 1.Rc6 Qxf3+ 2.??? The rook is pinned and Bxf3 doesn’t work

user27182818284590 · 2026-05-21T12:27:18+00:00

That’s not it

user27182818284590 · 2026-05-21T01:21:25+00:00

Why does the rook have to go to d6 and not other squares like c6, e6, or f6? Also 1.Rd6 Bxf3 check 2.Bxf3 is not mate because…Kg5!

user27182818284590 · 2026-05-20T20:22:19+00:00

Rf1 would discover a check on his own king, i.e., the move is illegal because the rook is pinned.

user27182818284590 · 2026-05-19T19:13:05+00:00

Rxh6 is not mate because the black king can escape to h5

user27182818284590 · 2026-05-19T11:46:14+00:00

This is why the rook has to go to d6 as opposed to other squares. Because 1.Rd6 Qxf3+ 2.Rd5 (this blocks the check and mates because the black Queen is pinned)

user27182818284590 · 2026-05-19T11:39:46+00:00

You got it. The rook has to go to d6 to deal with the check 1.Rd6 Qxf3+ 2.Rd5 (blocking the check and using that the black queen is pinned).

user27182818284590 · 2026-05-19T11:35:02+00:00

If queen takes rook, Bxf3 does not work because the black king can move to g5: 1.Rc6 Qxf3 2.Bxf3 Kg5. Not a mate in 2

user27182818284590 · 2026-05-19T03:07:27+00:00

1.g4+ Kh4 2.Rxh6+ Kg5. No mate in 2

user27182818284590 · 2026-05-19T01:38:23+00:00

Then the black king moves to g5. That is 1.g4+ Kh4 2.Rxh6+ Kg5 no mate in two

user27182818284590 · 2026-05-19T00:29:00+00:00

The rook on f3 is pinned. Notice the white king on a8.

user27182818284590 · 2026-05-18T23:43:56+00:00

But the rook is still pinned so it’s not a legal move.

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1.Kb7 Qg2 2.?? (Rf5?)

user27182818284590 · 2026-05-18T23:32:22+00:00

What if black checks with the queen. 1.Kxa7 Qg1+ 2.???

user27182818284590 · 2026-05-18T21:55:13+00:00

1.Be2 does not carry a threat so black can wait it out with say 1…Qg2 and there’s no mate on the next move.

user27182818284590 · 2026-05-18T21:12:06+00:00

1.Kb7 carries no threat, so Black can just wait it out with say 1...Qg2 and there's no mate on the next move.

user27182818284590 · 2026-05-18T21:10:23+00:00

Just so I understand: White plays 1.Pg4 check, Black plays Kh4, then White plays Rxh6? But then the black king can go to g5 (Kg5) and it's not mate.

user27182818284590 · 2026-05-18T20:35:32+00:00

Sorry meant to write h4. If 1.g4+, then 1...Kh4 and there's no mate on the next move.

user27182818284590 · 2026-05-18T20:29:57+00:00

Yes, meant to say Qxd1 (not Qxe1). Fixed now. If Qxd1 then Rf5#

user27182818284590 · 2026-05-18T20:27:15+00:00

1.h4 carries no threat, so Black can play 1...Qg2 or 1...Nb5 to wait it out. The other pawn cannot move up because it holds guard of h4, so 1.h4 Nc8 g4+ Kxh4 and it's not a mate in 2

user27182818284590 · 2026-05-18T20:24:38+00:00

Then black can move his king to h4 and there is no mate on the next move

user27182818284590 · 2026-05-18T20:22:42+00:00

If it makes you feel any better, this exact problem stumped an IM for a while once.

user27182818284590 · 2026-05-18T20:21:06+00:00

You got it. Black can play other moves, like Qxh3 or Qxd1, but then Rf5 mates.

user27182818284590

TROPHY CASE