hi

I downloaded a puzzle, but I can't find a way to finish it.

It says, "Two-move problem. First attempt at a chess problem, 1888."

Can anybody help me?

Thanks.

There's probably a lot of things that works. For example begin with a queen check from the corner. King can't move backwards or vlock, has to go to... wait actually I don't see how a check mate is possible in two moves (and that has to be the solution, would be silly to try to win the bishop as this point, there's mates everywhere).  I can see checkmate in 3 or 4 moves, but not two. Sorry. Hopefully somebody else has a mind which is a little more awake than mine is ;)

Rc7,c3xb2

Qg3 check mate

thats one way .  Or,Rxc3,Ke5    c3 to c6 mate by the bishop on b2.

does that help?

Only forced mate in 2 I can find is 1 Qd2

if black play  1..cxd2 white got 2 Rd7#

anything else 2 Qxd5# 

neneko, i like ur solution.especially the queen sacrifice. my two scenarios work as well, unless there is something i overlooked

Rc7, Ke5

Rxc3 Bxe4

You guys are so smart!

How are you guys so good???!!!

Thanks alot.

I don't think either is mate in 2.

after 1 Rc7  black can play Ke5 or Bxg8

 after 1 Rxc3 black can just move the bishop out of the way to delay it.

neneko, i stand corrected.too many variables in my solution. yours is a sure thing

nice puzzle

I've tried the solutions. The computer still escapes.

The rook goes to C7. The king moves to E5.

The 2nd rook goes to C3. Their bishop moves to end the game.

If I move my bishop from B2 to C3 then the king moves to F4 and the game ends again because nothing is checking him there.

I've tried probably fifty different times. But I suck at chess. The closest I've felt to solving it is when I sacrificed the pawn at E4 by moving it to E5 so the king is forced onto the right side of the board.