Mate in 2

White aims to reposition the e6 bishop, threatening 2.Re6#. However, of all the moves available to this bishop, only one secures mate in two: 1.Bh3!. Black can avoid 2.Re6# through several different responses, leading to the following variations:

1...Bb3 2.Ng4#

1...Qxh3 2.Nc4#

1...Ba1 2.Qxa1#

1...Bb2 2.Qxb2#

1...Bc3 2.Qxc3#

1...Bxc5 2.Qxc5#

1...e6 2.Bf6#

1...Rg6 2.Nf7#

1...Nxc6 2.Nd7#.

A careful examination of Black’s defences and White’s corresponding mating moves above reveals why 1.Bh3 is the only solution. Each of the alternatives below is uniquely refuted by one of the listed defences:

1.Ba2? Ba1! (There is no 2.Qxa1#)

1.Bb3? Bc3! (There is no 2.Qxc3#)

1.Bc4? Qh3! (There is no 2.Nc4#)

1.Bd5? Bxc5! (There is no 2.Qxc5#)

1.Bg4? Bb3! (There is no 2.Ng4#)

1.Bf5? e6! (There is no 2.Bf6#)

1.Bf7? Rg6! (There is no 2.Nf7#)

1.Bd7? Nxc6! (There is no 2.Nd7#)

A deceptively intricate problem where the key is easily missed among the many tries – perfect for a solving contest!