How would you play if you are White ?
(Hint: At end of the story on Sam Loyd's chess puzzles ... scroll forward.)
Puzzle #1 (White to play):
The above reminds me of the following set of chess puzzles by Sam Loyd, the great American puzzlist of the 19th century. He created a story around it:
In 1713, Charles XII of Sweden was in a campaign against the Turks.
One day, in between the battles, he played a chess game in the field against one of his generals. The following position was reached and Charles announced mate in 3.
Puzzle #2 (White to play):
Just when he was about to make his move, a stray bullet took the White Knight off the board. Charles was unconcerned, and said that was all right, he still had a mate in 4 without the Knight.
Puzzle #3 (White to play):
He was just about to make his move when another bullet shot off the White Pawn on the Rook file. Charles studied the position and said not to worry, he found a mate in 5.
Puzzle #4 (White to play):
Then the general remarked, "What a pity, Your Majesty, the first bullet didn't take the Rook off the board, rather than the Knight."
Charles replied with a smile, "Then I just have to declare mate in 6."