Betcha Can’t Solve this #Chess Puzzle! 82

I spent my afternoon today revisiting a couple of my favorite chess puzzles composed by Johan Axel Åkerblom (10/21/1904 – 6/5/1980). Åkerblom was a strong chess player and a professional journalist from Avesta, Sweden. However, he is most famous for his chess compositions and his contributions in this field earned him the FIDE title ofContinueContinue reading “Betcha Can’t Solve this #Chess Puzzle! 82”

Betcha Can’t Solve This #Chess Puzzle! 73

Solving chess puzzles by master composer Josef Halumbirek is my new favorite pastime. Today’s selection comes from Halumbirek’s entry in the Mémorial W. Von Holzhausen, Österreichische Schachzeitung 1951-52. This mate in 4 is rather approachable and can be solved by examining all of the forced moves available. Still, it’s very satisfying to discover why everyContinueContinue reading “Betcha Can’t Solve This #Chess Puzzle! 73”

Betcha Can’t Solve This #Chess Puzzle! 71

The holiday season can be a little daunting, whether it’s due to the commotion of shopping, hosting get-togethers or traveling. Rather than adding to this extra stress with the high intensity of online bullet chess, I recommend enjoying the slower pace of chess puzzles. Why not fill a mug with your favorite hot beverage, cozyContinueContinue reading “Betcha Can’t Solve This #Chess Puzzle! 71”

Betcha Can’t Solve This #Chess Puzzle! 67

When well composed, mate in 2 chess problems are highly enjoyable which is why I share so many of these gems with the Daily Chess Musings community. Tonight’s puzzle was definitely well composed and although I had never heard of Gyula Andre before, I now have a deep respect for his talent as a composer.ContinueContinue reading “Betcha Can’t Solve This #Chess Puzzle! 67”

Betcha Can’t Solve This #Chess Puzzle! 63

During the mid-nineteenth century, Samuel Loyd was one of the strongest chess players in the United States. However, his real passion was for the compositional art of chess puzzles, not tournament play. Known as the “Puzzle King”, his book Cyclopedia of 5000 Puzzles was published in 1914, three years after his death. Below is aContinueContinue reading “Betcha Can’t Solve This #Chess Puzzle! 63”

Betcha Can’t Solve This #Chess Puzzle! 61

“If you are curious, you’ll find the puzzles around you. If you are determined, you will solve them.” – Erno Rubik White to move and mate in 2 (Emilio Battaglia, Scacco! 1997).