Daily chess puzzle: Check Mate #389

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

Black to play and mate White

Solution

I solved this, but not in an impressive fashion. First I tried 1…Qg3 and 1…Qg5 and even looked at h5 intending g6-g5; before pausing and trying 1…Rb8! : then it all clicked into place. The Rb1 is tied to the first rank, else if 2 Rb8?? Qe1+ 3 Qf1[] Be3+ wins the house.

Why, didn’t I remember Purdy’s poem again, just like in puzzle 381?

Some things are hooey,

and most others lies;

But forks you mustn’t miss,

nor pins, nets, ties.

Had I thought about these motifs, everything would have fallen into place fairly quickly.

FEN

5r2/p5k1/3p2pp/2pPp3/2P1Pb1q/P2Q1P1B/6P1/1R4K1 b – – 0 1