Daily chess puzzle: Check Mate #406

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

White to play and mate Black

Sotov v Glebov, Moscow 1975

Solution

I found 1 Nb5+ Kb8[] 2 Nb5 which mates in a few moves, but the game’s 1 Qc7! is even nicer. The threat of smothered mate decides.

(threat 3 Qb8+ and 4 Nc7 mate)

FEN

k6r/rb3R1p/NQ4p1/2p2n2/1p6/8/PPn3PP/6K1 w – – 0 1