Joseph Plachutta

Joseph Plachutta, (13 May 1827 in Zadar, Austrian Empire, today's Croatia – 22 July 1883) also called Josef Plachutta or Josip Plahuta, was a Slovene-descent chess problemist and chess player, known for his famous problem with the Plachutta theme.

Joseph Plachutta
Leipziger Illustrirte Zeitung, 1858

	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h
8									8
7									7
6									6
5									5
4									4
3									3
2									2
1									1
	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

Mate in 4 moves

Joseph Plachutta

Solution:

1.Qf3! (threat 2.d4 mate)

1...Nxc5 2.Rg7! (this is the actual Plachutta. threats 3.Qg3 and 3.Bc7)

2...Rgxg7 3.Bc7+ Rxc7 4.Qg3#

2...Rhxg7 3. Qg3+ Rxg3 4.Bc7#