Nabokov's problem
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we had a "puzzle of the day" like this a few weeks ago, i think. you get so caught up looking at all the capitol pieces, you don't see the fairly obvious mate. very nice. (and an interesting read, too...thanks for that!)
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Exquisite! I fell not for the capitol pieces but for the knight underpromotion on b8 which is the thematical try. Refuted by 1. .. c2!
By the way, IMO the knight on g5 should be a pawn. The pinned knight is of no value in any variation or try. Nabokov may have feared 1. Rxh6? but it will be nicely refuted by 1. .. gxf4! which actually makes the problem a bit better.
@ Arisktotle I can hardly believe I seen this immediately.I missed the solution on that mate in three because of locking on the thought that an under promotion to knight was useless.(I was referring to the have to be a genius mate in three puzzle.) I remembered your, all the rest is bells and whistles statement.That was true for me this time.
Nabokov is a famous russian writer of the beginning of the last century.
Mate in two.
For interesting information and history behind this puzzle http://www.lolitariddle.com/chess.htm
And a recommended read for everyone: The Luzhin Defense (or simply The Defense) by Nabokov