Force Black Into The Venus Flytrap (Mate in 7 Puzzle From Game Ending)

*Move 3 has two solutions that are CORRECT. Unfortunately playing 3. Nf7+ will not let it continue, however the alternate (original) move is pretty easy to find. I haven’t figured out how to properly add an additional line that continues*

This is the first puzzle I’ve posted. Please let me know if there are any issues with where it is, how it plays out etc…

I love this pattern but don’t really see it outside of Tactics/Puzzles. I think forcing them into the position with a continuous threat of a quicker mate may be the most realistic way for it to happen.  

Often I’ll see components in similar smothered mates where there is still the sac but without all the knight moves. Eg. the Queen is protected by a bishop or the escape squares are covered differently.  

This position arose from the Exchange var. of the French against CPU. 

In the game, both dark square bishops were on the board, however even with forced mate they had to be removed from the puzzle because they created an +M6 or +M5 option I overlooked until analyzing with engine. I originally wanted to start the puzzle a couple moves earlier to find the key position Qa2 which sealed the deal. Unfortunately, even with the bishops removed there were other equally fast finishes.

Anyway, I hope some of you enjoy

Nice puzzle, this post could be instructive for a lot of players.

You can add a black rook on a8 to eliminate the 3.Nf7+ dual.

This is what takes place in the handful of moves before the puzzle starts.

aanval22,

Thank you for the positive feedback, it’s much appreciated. I wasn’t sure whether to post this in an ongoing thread or separately. Anyway, I do hope that some stumble across this and find it helpful or fun.

Rocky64,

Thank you for the suggesting the a8 idea. Sounds like a clever find. I hadn’t considered adding an extra piece. That may be the best solution if there’s not a way to make the continuation work.

I tried the following:

After finishing the moves list, i went back to move #2 and added Nxf7 as an alternate line, clicked “insert continuation” and added the additional moves. I’m not sure if I’m doing something wrong or if that feature is only for displaying games and is incompatible with puzzles

Standard smother. Killer pony...

I tried to insert this in my last post but for some reason its missing. Starting at move 21, it includes the handful of moves before hand to show how the position was reached and where I originally wanted to start the puzzle which was finding Qa2 on move 27. Unfortunately there were too many variables