I am working through Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess and #134 asks
If White plays Rook-takes-Rook-check, can he mate?
The answer is Yes, the mate is delivered by the white Queen. However, can't it be prevented?
Here's the board:
[title "Bobby Fischer #134"]
[fen "1r1r2k1/6pp/2n4q/2p1p2Q/pp2N2P/5P2/PPPR2P1/1K1R4 w - - 0 1"]
I can see how to get mate, with the Queen: White rook to take black rook, black rook takes white rook, white rook takes black, then black knight takes white rook, Queen to e8 for1. Rxd8 Rxd8 2. Rxd8 Nxd8 3. Qe8 for mate.
However, if black takes with Rook, then1. Rxd8 Nxd8 2. Rxd8 Rxd8 Knight takes' white's rook, white rook to take knight, then black rook to take white rook. This prevents the Qe8 mate, doesn't it?
So when the question asks "can he mate", yes but it's not guaranteed. Do I understand the board correctly?