Daily chess puzzle: Check Mate #101

Another puzzle from Dragoslav Andric’s 1981 book “Matni Udar”.

White to play and mate Black

Mittelmann v Klausen, Altona 1928

Solution

I immediately saw the two forcing moves which “had” to be the solution. I chose 1Nf6+ Kh8 2 Rg7 and sure enough that wins in a move or two: 2..Kg7 3 Ne8++ 1-0

The alternative is 1 Rh6+, which I thought was more or less equivalent: 1…gh[] 2 Nf6+ Kh8 3 Rg7: and it is, except Black can play desperado moves like Qc7+ (to prolong the game)

FEN

2r2r2/1p3ppk/p2R3p/8/2qQp1N1/P2n2RP/1P3PPK/8 w – – 0 1