An amusing problem composed by Zukertort

by Stephan Oliver Platz
1/24/2018 – Johannes Zukertort (1842-1888) was a student of Adolf Anderssen and one of the world's best players of his time. In 1886 he played a match against Wilhelm Steinitz which was the first official World Championship match in chess history. Zukertort was also a prolific chess publisher. Stephan Oliver Platz presents an amusing chess problem by Zukertort.
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A stunning mate

The following problem was composed by Johannes Hermann Zukertort:  

 
Mate in 1
White moves and mates immediately

In December 1885 Zukertort showed this problem to an amazed crowd in the Manhattan Chess Club.

Did you find the solution? No? And your favourite chess program is also clueless?

Here's a hint: At the time when this chess problem was composed the rule was that a pawn that reached the first rank of the opponent had to be promoted immediately to a piece of your choice — any piece from the 14 in the starting position not including pawns or kings! If you apply this rule creatively you will certainly find a solution to the problem! (See below, when ready.)

Johannes Hermann Zukertort

 
1.g8(N) — a black knight and Black is mated!

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Stephan is a passionate collector of chess books and for years he has been successfully playing as an amateur for his German club. The former musician and comedian works as a freelance journalist and author in Berlin and in the Franconian village Hiltpoltstein.

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