Signalman: Mate in Three from 1869

05 December, 2012

Here's a study from 1869, by William Grimshaw.

White to Play: Mate in Three

Took me a while, and I thought it was a mistake, as I found a mate in four, but no, its mate in 3 !

Anonymous said...: I can't find a mate in three. show it to prove it!; 16 December, 2012 08:45
Signalman said...: Gladly...but maybe it helps if I tell you the first move ?

1. Bf3+; 16 December, 2012 14:29
Anonymous said...: Thanks for the first move, but I've spent a good 8 hours looking at this problem. There is an "out" for Black at the end of every 3 move continuation. What is the second move??; 17 December, 2012 02:34
Signalman said...: Oops, my mistake...I've switched solutions. 1. Bf3+ is the start of the 4-move mate.

Mate in three starts with 1. Nh3...

These things happen. I spent ages on the 4-move mate,so I dare say that is what stuck in my mind, and came out when you asked.; 17 December, 2012 19:13
LinuxGuy said...: Thanks, Signalman! It was fun to spot this Nh3 (I didn't spot it). :-) Yes, it works now. I found many mate in 4's, so I had wondered if it was a real "problem" or not.; 18 December, 2012 08:23
Signalman said...: No worries, and apologies for the mis-post.

I also found mate in 4 ( relatively ) easily but mate in 3 was tough until you realise you have to force the king to move.

I guess I don't really think in the "study" mode properly, just like I don´t really work with cryptic crosswords.

I´ll put a full solution up, and may even publish the others from the same old source.

Thanks for contributing !; 18 December, 2012 17:59

Signalman