ArcaMax

A good many chess puzzle sites give mating challenges that are of a few moves. I do that, too. However, I also like to throw in one like today’s puzzle. This is what I call a “step back” puzzle. I take what could be a challenging mating attack and then go back some moves before that to challenge you to find how the first steps took place. ...

This is one pretty composition and one that is instruction as well with regard to promotions.

We stick with the sublime main line instead of the ridiculous hopeless defenses Black could offer.

You know Black is in trouble here. His major pieces are all gathered on the queenside. His castled position is very airy. White realized one other thing—the importance of the d8-h4 diagonal. Once you see why, you are about to produce a mating attack.

Won by Kis in 1974.

Won by Levy in 1969

A weekend bonus problem from 1846. Whether it is White or Black to move, it’s a mating attack.