For chess fans - this puzzle looks so simple, but I gave up finally

[Pluvious]

Last edited Wed Feb 19, 2025, 04:02 PM - Edit history (2)

Try your noodle at a solution, there 100% is one !

I will post a hint here later today, then the video of the solution tomorrow

It's White's move...


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Spoiler alert: solution has been posted (don't peek if you want to challenge yourself first)

[anciano]

1. Whose move is it?

[Pluvious]

2. It's White's move...

[anciano]

3. 👌 thanks...

[lastlib]

4. 1 Nb6+ Kb8

2 Rc3! b1/Q
3 Nd7+ Ka7
4 Ra3+ Kb7
5 Rb3+ and wins

5....Qxb3, 6 Nc5+ wins the Q, and it's pretty much over.

[anciano]

5. Question.....

In move 3, black king could move to b7 instead of a7. So why a7?

[lastlib]

6. 4. Rb3+ still wins in that case.

Ka7 is just delaying it one more move. The Knight fork is coming, either way.

[anciano]

7. Aha! 👍

[Pluvious]

8. That was fast !!

Kudos to you friend

In the video he shows some of the possible alternatives, all which fail but the Rc3 "brilliant" move

[lastlib]

9. There was a video? I'd like to watch it.

Good puzzle! Trying to actually stop the pawn from promoting just didn't work, so there had to be a way to let it promote, then take it off the board. Giving up the rook and grabbing the queen with the knight seemed to be the only way.

[Pluvious]

11. Posted below... (nt)

[Pluvious]

10. Solution video

The path to the solution requires a sacrifice...

Lastlib posted their answer in post four

Discussion of this puzzle is provided in the video:

(Technically, the answer doesn't actually involve stopping the pawn from promoting)