35
Puzzle - white has a checkmate.
(hexbear.net)
Hint 1
It's mate in 4.
Hint 2
Nf7+ then Nh6+
The solution is here - https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/120785379743?tab=analysis&move=59 - check top of the right sidebar.
I started trying something new when I watch speed chess.
-
Sometimes I watch players stronger than me but not too much stronger than me.
-
I keep the evaluation bar off so I'm forced to think without hints. I'm way too addicted to the elav bar.
Spoiler - I mention what I saw in real time.
I watched this game a few minutes ago. I thought I was clever to notice Nf7+ and Nxd8 which wins the rook. But even though I love smothered mates - I didn't even think to look for that. When white played Nh6+ I nearly groaned. What the- Oh! I missed it! Fuuuuuuck!
I followed you until Qg7#. The Queen is on e6, so it can't move to g7 in one move.
ETA: I see you meant Qf7#, but that line doesn't work in the puzzle because I believe Kf8 is going to be worse than Kh8, but I'd want to see what the analysis says about it. At that point mate in 2 is unavoidable regardless.
Yeah, meant qf7#, I always mess up notation lol.
I mean there is no analysis at this point, it's forced mate. Neither kh8 nor kf8 is better. But black can avoid a smother if they choose. For the record, I would not avoid it, smothers are cool.