I solved the puzzle below by using the brute force method of calculating all possible moves three steps deep to find the checkmate in two moves. This method is oftentimes a more appropriate choice than the “Checks, Captures and Threats” system because composers of mate in 2 puzzles commonly start with a “quiet move” toContinueContinue reading “Betcha Can’t Solve this #Chess Puzzle! 79”
Tag Archives: hard chess
Puzzle Worthy Position 50
In chess and in life, it’s not a victory until you cross the finish line. Throughout the history of chess there are numerous examples of players overcoming bleak circumstances with one extraordinary move which was overlooked by their opponent. However, few are as stunning as the combination that GM Lenier Dominguez Perez used to escapeContinueContinue reading “Puzzle Worthy Position 50”
Betcha Can’t Solve This #Chess Puzzle 78
Tonight’s puzzle is another Mate in 4 problem by the German chess composer Arthur Klinke. I found the solution to this chess problem to be truly ingenious in a rather mechanical way. I betcha can’t solve this chess puzzle, but if you do be prepared to be amazed! White to move and mate in 4(ArthurContinueContinue reading “Betcha Can’t Solve This #Chess Puzzle 78”
Chess Position Worth Sharing! 156
In classical music, “variation” is a technique composers use to present material in an altered form. Oftentimes, this altered material is a variation on a theme. Similarly, chess composers use variation on a theme to create a companion piece by slightly altering the position to create a secondary puzzle. In Chess Positions Worth Sharing 155,ContinueContinue reading “Chess Position Worth Sharing! 156”
Betcha Can’t Solve This #Chess Puzzle! 74
To understand why this mate in 4 puzzle by Josef Halumbirek won First Prize in the Neue Leipziger Zeitung for September, 1929, you first need to solve it. Of course, that’s easier said than done which is why I placed this Halumbirek masterpiece into the “Betcha Can’t Solve This” category! White to move and mateContinueContinue reading “Betcha Can’t Solve This #Chess Puzzle! 74”
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”
Chess Position Worth Sharing 151!
Chess Composer Josef Halumbirek (3/7/1891 – 6/23/1968) I recently discovered a chess composer named Josef Halumbirek (3/7/1891 – 6/23/1968) whose problems and studies are a real pleasure to work out. Halumbirek’s compositional style reminds me a bit of Sam Loyd’s as his chess problems tend to be rather simple looking at first glance but containContinueContinue reading “Chess Position Worth Sharing 151!”
Pawn Endgame Worthy of Study
“Pawn endings are to chess what putting is to golf.” — Cecil Purdy Pure pawn endgames are said to be the simplest of all endings but that doesn’t mean they are always easy to win. A case and point is presented in a recent blog post where I shared a blown opportunity in a KingContinueContinue reading “Pawn Endgame Worthy of Study”
Betcha Can’t Solve This #Chess Puzzle! 72
The British Chess Magazine really hit the snail on the head by including this wonderful mate-in-2 chess puzzle in the January issue of 1911. I solved this Frederick Forrest Lawrie Alexander composition at a rather sluggish pace which is why I betcha can’t solve this chess puzzle at all! But go ahead and prove meContinueContinue reading “Betcha Can’t Solve This #Chess Puzzle! 72”
Viewer Requests: Position of the Week 2
1k3r2/p1n4b/1p3r1p/6p1/8/2P2N2/1P1QN1PP/1K6 w – – 0 1 This week’s submission comes from a student in Fremont California and deals with the age old question of which is better, a queen or two rooks. Generally a queen is stronger against uncoordinated rooks and especially so with pawns on both sides of the board. However, in our featureContinueContinue reading “Viewer Requests: Position of the Week 2”
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”
Viewer Requests: Position of the Week 1
8/8/k7/4PP1p/3pK2P/2b5/8/8 w – – 0 1 Chess Dad & Coach Arun from Fremont California asked me to break this complex endgame down for his students. Watch below to see how this position plays out. https://youtu.be/qkYlNjVWD1o
Betcha Can’t Solve This #Chess Puzzle! 70
Today’s puzzle of interest is a mate in 2 with many carefully placed ingredients. I was struck by this chess problem’s modern design and surprised by the fact that it was composed over a century ago in 1920. Not only is this chess puzzle a beautiful reminder of how much is possible on the chessboardContinueContinue reading “Betcha Can’t Solve This #Chess Puzzle! 70”
Puzzle Worthy Position 40
Today’s puzzle worthy position comes from the 1985 Baden-Baden Chess Tournament. 1985 was a strong edition of this historic tournament featuring many prominent chess players including Susan Polgar, Efim Geller and Ludek Pachman. However, our puzzle worthy tactic comes from a winning combination played by Robb Witt. FM Robb Witt of the Netherlands sadly passedContinueContinue reading “Puzzle Worthy Position 40”
Betcha Can’t Solve This #Chess Puzzle! 69
My Facebook friend Michael Pasman recently became a World Champion. More specifically, Michael won first place and thus the gold medal for the Studies category in the 10th FIDE World Cup in Composing. Michael Pasman is well known in the chess puzzle community for his compositional knowledge, creativity and his high output of outstanding studies.ContinueContinue reading “Betcha Can’t Solve This #Chess Puzzle! 69”
Betcha Can’t Solve This #Chess Puzzle! 68
I thoroughly enjoy chess studies that task us with finding a seemingly impossible draw from a position that looks totally lost. Chess puzzles like these push the boundaries of what’s possible on the chessboard and a regular dose of such compositions will help young players stretch their own chess imaginations. So nothing makes this chessContinueContinue reading “Betcha Can’t Solve This #Chess Puzzle! 68”
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! 66
Some of my favorite endgame studies have the reader playing from a disadvantage with the goal being a draw. In tonight’s puzzle, White is down to a single bishop versus Black’s four pawns but still can draw with perfect play. Enjoy… White to play and draw (U. Venäläinen, 1st Prize in Suomen Shakki, 1969.)
Chess Position Worth Sharing 145!
Of all the chess puzzles I’ve ever enjoyed… Many of the finest were composed by Sam Loyd. White to move and mate in 3 (Samuel Loyd, 1887).
Betcha Can’t Solve This #Chess Puzzle! 65
Some mate-in-3 compositions are much trickier than others. This particular chess puzzle by Erich Ernest Zepler is diabolical! White to move and mate in 3 (by Erich Ernest Zepler from the January 1925 Chemnitzer Wochenschach).