13 JUN 2025

Mate in 5

by Stefan Schneider

Arbeiter-Zeitung (Wien), 1929

White's plan is to push e2–e3+ and mate the bK on d3 with their light-squared bishop. However, the immediate 1.e3+? Kd3 2.Be6, threatening 3.Bf5#, proves premature — the enemy monarch slips out via c2. Instead, the key is to begin with 1.Be6!, setting up 2.e3+ Kd3 3.Bf5#.

 

The threat may be parried with 1...Bh7, 1...Bg6, or 1...Be4. In every case, White glides back with 2.Ba2!, preparing 3.e3+ Kd3 4.Bb1#. Black is now forced to play 2...Bc2 — and once c2 is barricaded, White returns to the original idea: 3.e3+! Kd3 4.Be6!. The bK has nowhere to run — so after 4...f5 or 4...B-any, 5.B(x)f5 brings the curtain down.

 

An elegant dance of the wB to provoke a remote self-block and seal off the mating net — poised, precise, and quietly brilliant!