08 MAR 2025

Mate in 4

by Horst Böttger

Freie Presse 1987, Prize

The incredible key is 1.Rb5!.

 

To prevent Rb8#, Black has no choice but to take the rook, but both captures open up crucial lines for White:

 

1…axb5 2.Nf6! threat: 3.Rc8# — a sparkling decoy.

2…Rxf6 3.Qa1 threat: 4.Qa8#

3…Na4 4.Qxf6#

 

The second variation is analogous:

 

1…cxb5 2.Nf8! threat: 3.Rc8#

2…Rxf8 3.Qf3 threat: 4.Qa8#

3…Nd5 4.Qxf8#

 

A spotless gem of a problem.

PAST COMPOSITIONS

13 JUL 2025

Proof Game in 17.0

by Velmurugan Nallusamy (India)

07 JUL 2025

Mate in 3

by Rafael Kofman

29 JUN 2025

Helpmate in 2 (2 Solutions)

by Antonio Tarnawiecki, Steven B. Dowd

29 JUN 2025

Mate in 2

by Sam Loyd

26 JUN 2025

White draws

by Volker Hergert, Martin Minski

VIEW ALL

PAST COMPOSITIONS

13 JUL 2025

Proof Game in 17.0

by Velmurugan Nallusamy (India)

07 JUL 2025

Mate in 3

by Rafael Kofman

29 JUN 2025

Helpmate in 2 (2 Solutions)

by Antonio Tarnawiecki, Steven B. Dowd

29 JUN 2025

Mate in 2

by Sam Loyd

26 JUN 2025

White draws

by Volker Hergert, Martin Minski

VIEW ALL

PAST COMPOSITIONS

13 JUL 2025

Proof Game in 17.0

by Velmurugan Nallusamy (India)

07 JUL 2025

Mate in 3

by Rafael Kofman

29 JUN 2025

Helpmate in 2 (2 Solutions)

by Antonio Tarnawiecki, Steven B. Dowd

29 JUN 2025

Mate in 2

by Sam Loyd

26 JUN 2025

White draws

by Volker Hergert, Martin Minski

VIEW ALL

© 2025 ChessRanga - A ChessBase India Product. All rights reserved.