Best Chess Puzzle

Man this one had me (and Rybka) thinking for ages, and neither of us could get it!

White to move and win

This is one of the most difficult I have ever seen.

Originally posted by Sicilian Smaug
Nope, just put into Fritz, found in seconds 😉

Originally posted by Sicilian Smaug
gh, Qe6+
kg5 and black has no more threats? Maybe?

Originally posted by Sicilian Smaug
Nope, just put into Fritz, found in seconds 😉

Qc8, maybe? Threatens Be7+, prying K off Q, and followed by QxQ.
Qc8 also prevents checks by the black Q.


And if, after Qc8, Qe6+; QxQ, fxQ; gxh followed by h8=Q.


Hmmm. If, after Qc8, Kg8!?; QxN and I think white wins, but not
quickly, as black then has checks.

how about 1.Qc5+ Kg8 2.gh+! Kh8!! (otherwise Qh5-g5-g7# ) 3.Be7!

A. 3...Nb6! 4.Qxb6 Qa8 5.Qb3 Qc6+ 6.Kxf7 black has no checks so mate is inevitable
B. 3...Nc7 4.Qxc7 Qa8 i'm having trouble with this line
C. 3...Qa5 4.Qc8+ Kxh7 5.Qh3+ Kg8 6.Qg3+ any 7.Qg7#
D. 3...a5 4.Qg5 Qc6+ 5.Kxf7 Qc4+ 6.Kf8 Qc8+ 7.Bd8 black has no more checks

i'm pretty sure i'm right but line B has me worried.

Originally posted by aginis
B. 3...Nc7 4.Qxc7 Qa8 i'm having trouble with this line
i'm pretty sure i'm right but line B has me worried.

Originally posted by CrawlIce
Qc8, maybe? Threatens Be7+, prying K off Q, and followed by QxQ.
Qc8 also prevents checks by the black Q.


And if, after Qc8, Qe6+; QxQ, fxQ; gxh followed by h8=Q.


Hmmm. If, after Qc8, Kg8!?; QxN and I think white wins, but not
quickly, as black then has checks.

Originally posted by aginis
how about 1.Qc5+ Kg8 2.gh+! Kh8!! (otherwise Qh5-g5-g7# ) 3.Be7!

A. 3...Nb6! 4.Qxb6 Qa8 5.Qb3 Qc6+ 6.Kxf7 black has no checks so mate is inevitable
B. 3...Nc7 4.Qxc7 Qa8 i'm having trouble with this line
C. 3...Qa5 4.Qc8+ Kxh7 5.Qh3+ Kg8 6.Qg3+ any 7.Qg7#
D. 3...a5 4.Qg5 Qc6+ 5.Kxf7 Qc4+ 6.Kf8 Qc8+ 7.Bd8 black has no more checks

i'm pretty sure i'm right but line B has me worried.

Originally posted by aging blitzer
dunno
3...Qb8 looks more awkward
gets the Q active without giving away the N

Not so easy is it?

Alright i'll give you a hint: the first move is Qc8, and white's next move leads to a mate in eleven. For some reason a computer wont pick it up, but once given the key move you can watch the evaluation drop from +10 to -M11 😛

On the off chance someone does get the answer, please don't post it till everyone has guessed.

Originally posted by LanndonKane
Not so easy is it?

Alright i'll give you a hint: the first move is Qc8, and white's next move leads to a mate in eleven. For some reason a computer wont pick it up, but once given the key move you can watch the evaluation drop from +10 to -M11 😛

On the off chance someone does get the answer, please don't post it till everyone has guessed.