The “back rank mate” is one of the first checkmating patterns we learn as chess players. In today’s game, Francisco Anchondo plays an exquisite variation on this simple theme that is enjoyable for master and novice alike. Francisco Anchondo vs. N.N., 1/24/22 [Event “Casual Blitz game”] [Site “?”] [Date “2022.01.24”] [Round “?”] [White “Francisco Anchondo”]ContinueContinue reading “Francisco Friday for 3/11/22”
Tag Archives: queen sacrifice
#Chess Position Worth Sharing 130
Some of the most brilliant chess puzzles involve material sacrifice for the sake of the mate. Here however, the sacrifice is not merely needed to mate but in fact to avoid loss. One wrong move, and the outcome is completely out of your hands. White to move and mate in 4 (Skuja vs Rozenbergs, Latvia,ContinueContinue reading “#Chess Position Worth Sharing 130”
Betcha Can’t Solve This #Chess Puzzle 25
Much simpler but very pretty. White to move and mate in two (Александров, Владимир Александрович, Kubbel 100-MT, 1992).
My Favorite #Chess Games: The Peruvian Immortal
“In 13 moves, Canal sacrifices both Rooks and his Queen—and then mates on his 14th move! … A man might play a million games of chess and never duplicate Canal’s feat.”- Irving Chernev [Event “** Simultaneous”] [Site “Budapest HUN”] [Date “1934.??.??”] [Round “?”] [White “Esteban Canal”] [WhiteElo “?”] [Black “NN”] [BlackElo “?”] [ResultContinueContinue reading “My Favorite #Chess Games: The Peruvian Immortal”
Betcha Can’t Solve This #Chess Puzzle! 16
White to move and mate in 7! (Edward Lasker vs. George Thomas, City of London Chess Club, 1912) “The following game I consider the most beautiful I ever played … though it was not a tournament game and can, therefore, hardly be classed among the best games.” – Edward Lasker “A year later, Alekhine calledContinueContinue reading “Betcha Can’t Solve This #Chess Puzzle! 16”
Puzzle Worthy Position 30
“Who speaks to the instincts speaks to the deepest in mankind, and finds the readiest response.” – Amos Bronson Alcott After much deliberation, I chose Bxd5! After which, my opponent’s rook gobbled up my queen.
Bent Larsen is Dead
The great Danish Grandmaster Bent Larsen died on September 9, 2010. Larsen was the Danish chess champion six times and a candidate for the world chess championship four times. Larsen was the riskiest of his contemporaries rarely leaving an unclear sacrifice unplayed. During his career Bent Larsen defeated Mikhail Botvinnik, Vasily Smyslov, Mikhail Tal, Tigran Petrosian,ContinueContinue reading “Bent Larsen is Dead”