Test your chess: Reitstein problem 74

Black to play and win

DV Barrett v CCA de Villiers 1974

Solution

I felt pretty pleased with myself until, when writing up this blog, I entered the start position into Stockfish.

1…Qh3+! was my solution and was also the game continuation, and it is not too hard to see that it is forced mate. 2 gh[] Rh3+ 3 Kg2[] Rh2+ 4 Kg3[] Be5+ 5 Bf4 Bf4+ 6 Kg4[] h5 mate.

Not too hard, especially since it is virtually a single track line.

However, Stockfish immediately flashed 1….Qg4! and as soon as I saw it, it was obvious that it was even faster.

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