Puzzle of the week #237

Submitted by eugen on

Mate in 1

Level
2-Knight
Chess Diagram

[chessboard]8/5p2/8/8/8/1n3Np1/1P2q3/3k4[/chessboard]

Last week we talked about the case when the King is under attack and all possible responses to defend the attack. This puzzle is a bit different and counter intuitive; nevertheless it helps you improve your vision when the King is in danger. Your tasks:
a) Where should the White King be on the board to allow Black to mate in 1?
b) Write the move delivering mate
c) On what parts of the board is the most likely to mate the opponent's King?

Total available points for this puzzle is 20. The answers will be published next week together with puzzle #238.

Puzzle #236 solution:
Chess life, June 1998. Here is Toro's excellent answer:
a) Black's pieces: Bf3 is threatened by Rf2 and Bd1. Also d3 is threatened by Qd2.
White's pieces: Bd1 is threatened by Bf3. Also Rf2 is threatened by Qb6 and Ba7
b) Protect the d3-pawn and by moving Bf3-e2+
c) Solution:

[Event "Puzzle #236"][Date "2013.11.09"][Result "0-1"][SetUp "1"][FEN "k7/b7/1q6/8/8/3p1b2/3Q1R2/3B1K2 b - - 0 1"]1...Be2+!! 2.Qxe2 (2.Bxe2 Qxf2#) (2.Rxe2 Qg1#) (2.Kg1 Qxf2+ 3.Kh1 Qg1#) (2.Ke1 Qxf2#) 2...dxe2+ 3.Kxe2 Qe3+ 4.Kf1 Qxf2#

Correct solutions:
Toro, Jalen - 15 points
Illya, Bradley - 14 points
Cody, Coco, Eric, Anya - 10 points
Mrinal, Aaron, Benjamin, Brandon, Oliver, Brian - 5 points

Standings:
Toro - 69 points
Jalen - 63 points
Eric - 57 points
Coco - 56 points
Illya - 54 points
Brandon - 52 points
Oliver, Cody, Anya, Bradley - 50 points
Brian - 35 points
Mrinal - 30 points
Aaron - 29 points
Benjamin - 23 points
Jeffrey - 20 points