White to Mate in 2: Fun Chess Problem

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a chess problem where White is tasked with delivering checkmate in two moves. Participants explore various potential moves and outcomes, analyzing the problem's intricacies and the necessity of considering en passant captures.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Debate/contested, Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the initial problem and suggests a sequence of moves leading to checkmate.
  • Another participant agrees with the initial sequence but points out a flaw in one of the proposed continuations, indicating that it does not lead to checkmate.
  • Some participants express doubt about the existence of a forced mate in two moves, questioning the validity of the initial claims.
  • A later reply introduces the idea that the only possible last move for Black was b7-b5, allowing White to respond with an en passant capture, leading to a forced checkmate.
  • Another participant acknowledges the uniqueness of the problem, highlighting the necessity of recognizing en passant as a viable option in solving it.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is disagreement among participants regarding the existence of a forced mate in two moves, with some asserting it is possible while others express skepticism. The discussion remains unresolved as differing viewpoints persist.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the board position and the legality of moves may not be fully articulated, leading to potential misunderstandings in the analysis of the problem.

Who May Find This Useful

Chess enthusiasts, puzzle solvers, and those interested in exploring unique chess problems and tactics may find this discussion engaging.

Ackbach
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I am by no means in the same stratosphere as Jameson and others on this forum when it comes to chess, but I do enjoy the game. Here's a fun little chess problem. White to play and mate in 2.

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1. c7, then three possibilities: 1. ... Kxa5 2. Rxa7 #; 1. ... b4 2. c8 Q#; 1. ... Kb7 2. c8 Q#.
 
girdav said:
1. c7, then three possibilities: 1. ... Kxa5 2. Rxa7 #; 1. ... b4 2. c8 Q#; 1. ... Kb7 2. c8 Q#.
But after 1. c7 b4, 2. c8 Q is not mate because of 2. ... Kxa5.

I think that the key to this problem is to ask what black's previous move must have been, and to see which unusual white move this makes possible.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I don't see a forced mate in two moves.

c7 seems like the best move for white and very importantly black should not respond with Kxa5 as Rxa7 is mate. I see a forced mate in 3 though.
1. c7 b4 2.c8+ Kxa5 3. Rxa7 #
 
Jameson said:
I don't see a forced mate in two moves.

c7 seems like the best move for white and very importantly black should not respond with Kxa5 as Rxa7 is mate. I see a forced mate in 3 though.
1. c7 b4 2.c8+ Kxa5 3. Rxa7 #

There definitely is a forced mate in two. Try all known possible moves.
 
The 'intuition' of Opalg is the right way to solve the problem... the only possible last move of black has been b7-b5 so that white can reply axb5 'en passant' with the forced successive moves Ka5 and Rxa7#...

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 
Congrats to Opalg and chisigma for their (obviously) correct solutions. I thought this was a particularly neat problem, involving the passage of time.
 
Nice one. I've seen a whole lot of puzzles but never one where realize en passant was an option was necessary. I'll start considering it with future puzzles :)
 

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