Can you build a strong mating net in 5 moves?
Mating Net puzzles
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Promote the c-pawn in 5 moves.
Capture both Black Knights. There are two versions of this puzzle. The 3-move version includes one pin to capture a Black Knight. In the 4-move version another piece is used to create a double pin.
[Edit] Stockfish rates the 4-move version as slightly better. Unfortunately, in the 4-move version one of White's pieces has two possible landing squares to pin the Black Knight. The alternative landing square is shown in the comments when the puzzle is finished.
This puzzle asks you to mate in 8 moves. There is a faster way to mate. But, it involves promoting the b-pawn and presents multiple solutions which makes it unsuitable for a puzzle. Can you find another way which doesn't involve promoting the b-pawn?
Number 3 puzzle silved in 1!
Feedback on puzzle #4. "Capture both Black Knights in 4 moves. Use a pin to capture one of the Knights."
Try to avoid ambiguous positions when creating puzzles. After Ba3 Bb6 Rxd4 cxd4 there are three playable moves. As far as I can tell the best move is to simply play Bxd6+, though I haven't tested beyond Stockfish 14 somewhere around dept 22 to 25. That was the wrong answer. The I tried Ne4, which was wrong. At last I tried Nb5, that was the right answer and then I got a text that Ne4 was also correct.
I've spent about 15 minutes with the help of an engine to see what the best move to play is on move 3 and I think Bxd6+ is the best move (and still uses the pin I think). Second best option is Ne4 and nb5 is in third place. I could be wrong but that's not the point. If it's that hard to determine the best move then it's not a good position to use as a puzzle.
Duckfest wrote:
Feedback on puzzle #4. "Capture both Black Knights in 4 moves. Use a pin to capture one of the Knights."
Try to avoid ambiguous positions when creating puzzles. After Ba3 Bb6 Rxd4 cxd4 there are three playable moves. As far as I can tell the best move is to simply play Bxd6+, though I haven't tested beyond Stockfish 14 somewhere around dept 22 to 25. That was the wrong answer. The I tried Ne4, which was wrong. At last I tried Nb5, that was the right answer and then I got a text that Ne4 was also correct.
I've spent about 15 minutes with the help of an engine to see what the best move to play is on move 3 and I think Bxd6+ is the best move (and still uses the pin I think). Second best option is Ne4 and nb5 is in third place. I could be wrong but that's not the point. If it's that hard to determine the best move then it's not a good position to use as a puzzle.
Thankyou for your feedback. That Nb5 move was played in the game. It's a pity that there are two landing squares for the White Knight to pin the Black Knight. I'm happy to edit the puzzle so that the White Knight lands on Ne4 instead of Nb5. Although, there is a discovered pin that allows the White Bishop to capture the Black Knight, the better move is to pin and capture the Black Knight with the White Knight because White will have a double threat on Black's f7 pawn. For that reason, I'm reluctant to simplify the puzzle. with Bxd6+. That move is the most obvious. But, I prefer my puzzles to be a bit more interesting than that. Also, I stated that the puzzle is 4 moves which strongly suggests that the Bishop doesn't capture the Black Knight although it has pinned it. Another piece must also pin it. So it is double-pinned.
Mickdonedee wrote:
Thankyou for your feedback. That Nb5 move was played in the game. It's a pity that there are two landing squares for the White Knight to pin the Black Knight. I'm happy to edit the puzzle so that the White Knight lands on Ne4 instead of Nb5. Although, there is a discovered pin that allows the White Bishop to capture the Black Knight, the better move is to pin and capture the Black Knight with the White Knight because White will have a double threat on Black's f7 pawn. For that reason, I'm reluctant to simplify the puzzle. with Bxd6+. That move is the most obvious. But, I prefer my puzzles to be a bit more interesting than that. Also, I stated that the puzzle is 4 moves which strongly suggests that the Bishop doesn't capture the Black Knight although it has pinned it. Another piece must also pin it. So it is double-pinned.
Please, do not make puzzle like that.
When you publish a puzzle people like me will try to solve it. Instead you have us guess what move you played in a game. Sorry, but at your rating level that has no value for other players. A puzzle should not be a guess what moves you personally like best, it should have an interesting solution, Otherwise it's a waste of time.
I don't even know how to explain this. It's simply not how puzzles work. The correct answer should always be the best move. No exceptions.
Duckfest wrote:
Please, do not make puzzle like that.
When you publish a puzzle people like me will try to solve it. Instead you have us guess what move you played in a game. Sorry, but at your rating level that has no value for other players. A puzzle should not be a guess what moves you personally like best, it should have an interesting solution, Otherwise it's a waste of time.
I don't even know how to explain this. It's simply not how puzzles work. The correct answer should always be the best move. No exceptions.
That's what I've done. The best rated solution is for the White Knight to pin and capture the Black Knight with the White Bishop defending it. Bxd6+ is not the best move because the continuation after that for White is weaker. [Edit] I've edited the original post #4 to include the 3-move version with a single pin followed by the 4-move version with the double pin.
Promote the a-pawn to a Queen. Then play toward checkmate using checks and captures.
Promote one of your pawns to a Queen to finish the puzzle. This is the beginning of the King+Queen mating net which ends the game in checkmate.
Tighten the mating net.
White creates a White Queen v Black Rook endgame which is winning.
Can you find the next four best moves for Black and tighten the mating net?
White is hoping for a smothered mate here. But, if that doesn't work out can you take a lead in material from this position?
Can you promote a passed pawn in 8 moves before Black does?
Find Mate in 5 moves before White promotes a passed pawn.
Capture the Black Queen and checkmate in 10 moves.
Can you build a strong mating net in 4 moves?