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2012-2013 – The Starter Problem

Johh Rice

5B2/8/P7/2Rp1K2/1bSk4/1R6/1P2pS2/Q3s3

Mate in 2

1.Qa4!   (no threat)

1...Bc3  2.bxc3#
1...Bd2  2.Sxd2#
1...Ba3  2.Sxa3#
1...Bxc5 2.Bg7#
1...Ba5  2.Sxa5#
1...dxc4 2.Qd7#
1...S~   2.R(x)d3#

There are the following ‘tries’, given by solvers. Any move by wSc4, such as 1.Sb6? fails to 1...Bc3! 1.Qe1? is tempting, but fails to 1...dxc4! White’s first move must provide a reply for it. 1.Qc1? threatens 2.Qe3#, but 1...Bd2! defeats.

Other moves are defeated as follows:

Claim Refutation(s)
1.Rc3? 1...dxc4!, Ba5!, Ba3!
1.Re3? 1...Bd2!
1.Ra3? 1...dxc4!, Bd2!
1.Rd3+? 1...Sxd3!
1.Rg3? 1...dxc4!, Bd2!
1.Rxb4? 1...Sxc2!,Sd3!,dxc4!
1.Qa5? 1...Bxa5!
1.Rc6? 1...dxc4!,Bc5!,Bd6!,Be7!,Bxf8!

There were 229 entries this year, of which 90 were incorrect.


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