Ashley 2013, White to move and win (answer coming soon)

Cohen/Ashley 2013, Black to move and mate in 3.

Cohen/Ashley 2013, Black to move and mate in 3.

It’s not often that I see something in chess that I’ve never seen before. When it happens, it’s always a pleasant surprise that brings a smile to my face and reminds me how infinite the royal game really is. This mate comes by way of one of my top students, 10 year old Jameson Cohen, who recently pulled in off in an actual game. Once I saw it, I knew we had to make a puzzle out of it, so he and I sat down and co-created this mate in 3. Is Jameson a future Sam Loyd in the making?

1…Qf4+! 2.gxf4 Bxf4+ 3.Kh3 

3.Kh1 is a standard mate we’ve all seen after 3…Nf2#

3…Nf2#!

I cannot recall ever seeing this final position, either in a game or in a variation to a game. If anyone else has seen a game that in someway involves this rare gemstone of a set-up, please let us know! Until then, this might be dubbed “Cohen’s mate!”

Lynch-Halstead 1986, White to move and win

Black to move and win

Smejkal-Hracek 1996, White to move and win

Ashley 2012, White to move and win

It’s hard to imagine the knight’s final resting place in this study. One thing for sure: when you see it, you will very impressed by the work ethic of the piece!

Ashley 2012, White to move and win

Can you guess where White’s knight wants to go? You will crack a smile when you see where.

Ashley 2012, Black to move and draw

Benoit-I. Polgar 1969, Black to move and win