Straight down to business this week – last week’s puzzle generated a lot of responses (not all of them from Charlie!). It wasn’t until our very own Irish Ace – Paul “Dead Eye” Kennelly – got in on the act, that order was restored and the correct solution proffered.
Yes, the not-immediately-obvious 1.Rd7! was correct! Black resigned due to the line …Qxd7 2. Qxh5, gxh5 3.Bh7#
Rd7 was necessary as after an immediate Qxh5, black has the defence Qxh2+
Congratulations Paul!
To this week’s puzzle then… White to play – answers in the comments please:
I like 1. Nc6. White is threatening to take black’s queen. If black tries the intermezzo:
1…Rxe1+ 2. Rxe1. Now there’s only one move to avoid losing the bishop (or queen).
2…Qc7 3. Ne7+
3…Qxe7 4. Rxe7 wins a queen.
3…Bxe7 4. Bxc7 wins a queen.
3…K anywhere 4. Qxa8+ wins a rook.
If black skips the intermezzo and plays the only move to keep the bishop (and queen) alive:
1…Qc7 2. Re7
2…Rxe7 3. Nxe7+ transposes to the intermezzo line.
2…Qxe7 3. Rxe7 wins a queen.
2…Bxe7 3. Bxc7 wins a queen.
2…Q anywhere else loses either the queen or the bishop.
Edit: 2…Rxe7 3. Nxe7+ isn’t quite the same as the first line, but 3…Qxe7 4. Qxa8+ still picks up a winning exchange.
well done Adam, so much activity in the puzzle had my head spinning.