Double Square Vacation

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RewanDemontay


It’s White to move and mate in four. There should be someone out there who understands the title! ;D

 

Arisktotle

Nice "double vacation"! Unfortunately there are 2 other solutions as well. Don't you check your constructions with StockFish? There are many ways to repair your problem. I am sure you can find one!

RewanDemontay


I did see one. I suppose that my former diagram with the same idea will have to do.

 

Arisktotle

Both 1. Bg3 and 1. Kf2 checkmate in 4 moves as well. Your "former diagram" is OK but a bit "fatty". Three simple alternative adaptations to your posted diagram:

1. Move Qh8 to h7 (pins the black f-pawn and causes stalemate in dual key move variations)

2. Add a black pawn to b3 (gives some interesting new variations)

3. Add a white pawn to g6 (prevents the wQ from checkmating on h7 in dual key move variations)

There are probably many more, but these were the first 3 successful attempts I made.

RewanDemontay


Well your 2nd and 3rd suggestions also make my first diagram “fatty.” Suggestion #1 does not work because of the dual 2. Bh2, according to chess.com anaylsis. I suppose Qh8->h7 and BPe6 to my original diagram fix all duals.  It is “fatty” then, but the”draftyness” is nice.

But I still like the corner to corner move of my “former” diagram. Plus it is more economic in the sense of piece value-a White pawn is more economic then a White bishop,

Arisktotle

Ah, I didn't check the second move when I saw 1.0-0 worked with the queeen on h7. My fault. The extra pawn on e6 is a fair fix.

I agree that a pawn is basically better than a bishop but the bishop also provides some extra tries, i.e. stalemate variations!

My reference to "fattyness" was about the dense pawn cluster around the black king. Pawns on b3 or g6 contribute less to that.

The details of a composition are often a matter of taste. Even top-composers do not always agree. 

RewanDemontay

WTM, #4-11 Pieces!

Arisktotle
RewanDemontay wrote:

WTM, #4-12 Pieces!

That's a nice, areal position!

Btw, why not move Pe2 to e3? Loses you another pawn and increases the white 1e move options.

RewanDemontay
Arisktotle wrote:
RewanDemontay wrote:

WTM, #4-12 Pieces!

That's a nice, areal position!

Btw, why not move Pe2 to e3? Loses you another pawn and increases the white 1e move options.

Thanks! The airiness is indeed. quite pretty.  And I have adjusted my diagram to fit your suggestion. It does indeed work.