White to play and mate
Logic
Level
2
It is White's move.
If Black puts up the best possible defense, how many moves are needed for White to checkmate Black?
Three moves
Five moves
One move
Two moves
Four moves
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1 solution
Either Black can castle, or Black cannot castle.
If Black cannot castle, White mates in two with 1 K-K6 Any 2 P-Kt 8 (Q) mate.
If Black can castle, Black's King and Rook have not moved, so Black's last move was P-K4, and this Pawn must have moved from K2 (else it would have been checking White.) Therefore White plays 1 PxP e.p. If Black does not castle White plays 2 P-Kt 8 (Q) mate. If Black plays 1... O-O-O, White plays 2 P-Kt 7 mate.