Hi all.

I'm a bit new to chess and I have a question regarding "Larry Christiansen attacking chess" series in the academy, specifically the third game "Steinitz Vs Von Bardeleben.

My question is at white's 22nd move

22. Rxe7+ Kf8

The grandmaster then analyze the move...

"What happens if he takes the rook? Well 22… if Qxe7 23 Rxc8+ wins a piece. If 22…Kxe7 white wins with 23 Qb4+! Kd8 24 Ne6+ either winning a queen or mating. Now, if white carelessly grabs the queen disaster strikes in the form of back-rank mate."

The first possibility is clearly understandable. On the second one...
23. Qb4+ Kd8
24 Ne6+

I don't understand Ne6+. If king moves then is mate. But if queen captures knight I can't see any winning move. I've been thinking this a lot and I couldn't find anything that's why I make a post.

I think the correct continuation is...

23. Qb4+ Kd8
24. Qf8+ Qe8
25. Nf7+ Kd7
26. Qd6#

I will really appreciate it and be really thankful if somebody answers me this.

Thanks.

quote:

The first possibility is clearly understandable. On the second one...
23. Qb4+ Kd8
24 Ne6+

White should not play 24.Ne6+ because that loses. But after 24. Qf8+! (as you already said) White has the forced, nice mate: 24... Qe8 25. Nf7+ Kd7 26. Qd6#, so you are right

By the way, whenever you have a question about a given position, you can copy that position into training room and ask for Chessmaster's hints.

I really thank you.

I don't know if it is important to change it. But if they have this feature in the new version, is better to correct this mistake.