Mate in 2 from "The soviet Chess Primer" but wrong

Question

I found this exercise on page 51 of the "The soviet chess primer" and I think there is a mistake. Chess.com analysis says there is a mate in 13 moves.

I'm correct thinking there is a mistake? Or am I missing something?

5Kbk/6pp/6P1/8/7R/8/8/8 w - - 0 1

Edit: here the solution that the engine didn't find:

1. Rh6 gxh6 2. g7#

Answer 1

On the assumption that the problem is a #2, white to move (which might be entirely wrong), you are missing something.

Forget about white for the moment, but consider what black's options are if it was black to move. Mainly Bishop moves, and as those drop the guard of h7, Black will be mated in the following move (with one exception)

Now go back to white to move: is there any white move that will retain that situation (i.e. that black's move will lose), and take away that single exception, without producing any other advantage for Black? Once you know how black can escape a #2 when black moves, it should not be difficult.

In the chess problem workd, this is known as a block position, and it is a kind of judo chess problem.

Many, perhaps most, chess playing engines struggle with these types of positions.

(Edit: Doesn't the book have solutions?)

Answer 2

Checking a chess analysis board myself, there is a mate in thirteen with black to move. It is very likely that this is what you set up on chess.com.

The puzzle was certainly intended with white to move. Try again to find the mate in two with white moving first, yourself. And, if you do want to use the computer again, make sure you set it up correctly with which side has the move.