Mate in 3

Black’s king has two capture flights in the position: Kxc3 and Kxc5. In addition, Black can advance their pawns. Whatever White plays must contend with all these potential responses — six in total. A solver’s first instinct would be to consider a queen move; it's only natural to try placing the strongest piece on the most effective square. But finding a placement that addresses all six replies requires more than logic — it calls for imagination.

The key is the unexpected 1.Qh8!. At a glance, h8 appears to be the worst possible square for the queen. And yet, curiously, it is the only move that works — very much in keeping with Giegold’s style. Black now finds themself in an uncanny zugzwang: six continuations are possible, each quietly met by 2.Qd8!, leading to an inevitable mate on the next move — as the breakdown below shows.

1…e6/e5 2.Qd8! (threat: 3.Qa5#) Kxc3/Kxc5 3.Qd2/Qd6#

1…a6/a5 2.Qd8! (threat: 3.Qxa5#) Kxc3/Kxc5 3.Qd2/Qb6#

1…Kxc3 2.Qd8! (threat: 3.Qd2#) Kb4 3.Qa5#

1…Kxc5 2.Qd8! (zz) e~/a~/Kb4/Kc6 3.Qd6/Qb6/Qa5/Qc8#

A neat little gem — unmistakably the work of the Rätselonkel!