White to Play and Prevent Black from Mating in One

Pete Tamburro on Jul 1, 2008

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Just as a break from brilliant attacks, we thought we'd take a holiday on this holiday weekend to give you a composition based on one by T.R. Dawson. There is one move, and only one move, by White on the board that stops Black from mating next move. Black threatens a variety of mates in one with the queen, bishop and rooks, so look carefully. When you are convinced there is no such move, just remember that we've told you there is! (Sweeping the pieces off the board is not the answer we had in mind!)

Solution:

OK, if you didn’t get the trick, you're going to hate me, right? Since you were told there had to be a move, Black's last move had to be moving the pawn from d7 to d5, then 1.cxd6 check stops the mate in one! White uses the privilege of en passant capture. If you did get the trick, congratulations for outside the box thinking!

Send questions and comments to PTamburro@aol.com.?