White to Play and Mate

Pete Tamburro on Oct 19, 2009

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Solution:

The power of the bishops on the open diagonals is the key here. First, though, White has to get the king in the open, so Steinitz does what all great players do in mating attacks: blow up the castled position wall! 1.Rxh7+ Kxh7 2.Qh1+ (the queen being able to slide over to check makes the rook sac worthwhile) Kg7 3.Bh6+ Kf6 [3...Kh7 4.Bxf8+ Bh3 5.Qxh3#] 4.Qh4+ Ke5 5.Qxd4+ (Chigorin packed it in here as it's mate next two different ways. We're sure Steinitz would have picked the pawn move!) Kf5 6.g4# [6.Qf4#] A great display of diagonal power by the bishops and the queen!

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