Daily chess puzzle: Check Mate #424

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

Black to play and mate White

Mastilovic v Belic, Novi Sad 1976

Solution

A hard one, made easier by there not being many choices: but I didn’t solve it entirely, missing the main point a few moves in.

1…h5! [] 2 Ne4[] (2 Bg6? Bg4+ and 3…Be7 mate) 2..hg+ 3 Kh4[] Be7+ 4 Ng5[] Kg7!

with the point being that Rf8=h8 mate can’t be stopped, except by 5 Rf2 when 5…Kh6 is conclusive. Also 5 d6 doesn’t change things: 5…Bd8 and the same threats can’t be parried.

FEN

2b3k1/7p/p5p1/1pbPp3/6P1/P1PB2PK/1PRN1r2/7R b – – 0 1