Mating with a single bishop and knight can be
frustrating. It is rumored that the great Bobby Fischer once stated
that even he didn’t know the technique, but that if it ever came down
to it he would work it out over the board.
This problem will prove difficult for many, but its
lesson is important. You can use it to learn the technique. After all,
it can be embarrassing to try mating someone with a knight and bishop
while a crowd gathers around the board. But it can also be very
rewarding when they do to be able to quickly & efficiently prosecute
the mate!
1.Bd7+
We want to drive Black’s king to a corner which is the
same color that our bishop commands. An opposite color corner will not
allow mate.
1...Kb8
Of course not Kd8, because Nc6 would be mate on the
spot.
2.Kc6 Ka7 3.Kb5 Kb8 4.Kb6 Ka8
We have done a good job of getting Black to the
corner. If we had a dark-squared bishop this corner would not
do.
5.Be6 Kb8 6.Nc6+ Ka8
What now? Can you see the forced mate at this
point?
7.Nb4 Kb8
Notice that Black still has no choice.
8.Na6+ Ka8 9.Bd5 mate
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