Selfmate in 4

Help I can't find this

its white to play btw

I'll take a peek. The position radiates on the frequency of a genuine chess composition. I trust I won't be wasting my time.

Solved it! Two variations depending on the black pawn move - as always with the pawn in that position. In one variation the white king plays, in the other the king stays put. In one variation the black bishop checkmates, in the other the rook.

Now, try again. I'll give the solution later. Charming problem!

It's selfmate in 4. Checking the analysis won't help you here. Additionally, there are 7.

Almost gave up on this one, but solved it after reading Arisktotle's hint that the black rook mates in one variation.

For those not familiar with selfmates, google the term!

Don't tell the answer, Gm vortex is trying to cheat , this puzzle is a part of a solving competition.

I have given him enough hints, he should figure out the rest. Then again, it s hard to stop people who insist on cheating these days unless you can gather them in a physical location under supervision. There are all kinds of computer programs capable of solving many types of chess puzzles!

I found this puzzle in a database of studies and compositions (mostly fairy chess) and I haven't been able to solve this ever since. I am still trying though!

Is it part of a running solving competition?

It is neither a study nor a fairy problem. We call it heterodox. A heterodox problem uses the standard chess rules but has a different objective. Studies and directmate problems are considered orthodox!

First of all, try to find such arrangements of white pieces around their king that would allow black to checkmate with his bishop or rook. At the same time, keep in mind that (as @Arisktotle hinted) in the final position the black pawn maybe on c3 or c4.

This puzzle is a part of the great winter Solving competition by chessbase India. It is preety interested that you post this puzzle just a day after the puzzles were given , so yeah you have found the answer to the question but remember you didn't find it the right way.

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