Test your chess: Reitstein problem 189

White to play and win

Mate in 5

K Hill v P Surgison 1983

Solution

1 R1e5+ is the obvious first move, after which 1..Kg4 is forced, and then 2 h3+ Kh3[] is a natural attempt to drag the king into his net. But then what?

3 Rh6+ is a nice, and not too hard, clearance sacrifice, clearing the e6 square. If 3…Kg4 4 Rh4 mate, so 3…gh 4 Be6+ Rf5[] 5 Bf5 mate.

Nice: not too hard to calculate, but satisfying to be able to do so.

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