Hint 1

It's mate in 4.

Hint 2

Nf7+ then Nh6+

Smothered mate

The solution is here - https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/120785379743?tab=analysis&move=59 - check top of the right sidebar.

I started trying something new when I watch speed chess.

  1. Sometimes I watch players stronger than me but not too much stronger than me.

  2. I keep the evaluation bar off so I'm forced to think without hints. I'm way too addicted to the elav bar.

Spoiler - I mention what I saw in real time.

I watched this game a few minutes ago. I thought I was clever to notice Nf7+ and Nxd8 which wins the rook. But even though I love smothered mates - I didn't even think to look for that. When white played Nh6+ I nearly groaned. What the- Oh! I missed it! Fuuuuuuck!

  • MidnightPocket [comrade/them]
    ·
    2 months ago

    I checked the solution and it was much simpler than I expected; can't the pawn just kill the knight to avoid the king having to move back/forth? Doesn't seem like checkmate since to escape check it is legal to capture the threatening piece.

    • Barabas [he/him]
      ·
      2 months ago

      The king is also put in check by the queen, taking the knight doesn’t remove that threat.

    • InevitableSwing [none/use name]
      ·
      2 months ago

      can't the pawn just kill the knight to avoid the king having to move back/forth?

      No. It's double check and double check is (very) nasty.

    • bunnygirl [she/her]
      ·
      2 months ago

      In any double check (queen and knight here), the only possible response is to move the king