Summer
Holiday Boredom Buster
Over the summer holidays we will post some chess puzzles to keep your
brains ticking over. We are interested to know what you think -
would you like more puzzles, or harder ones? Let us know: CONTACT
US.
Puzzles - September 1st 2009
One of the things we like to teach as coaches is: look at checks, captures and threats.
This rule applies in the endings as well.
To complete our summer puzzles here is an example followed by 2 puzzles.
Example - Black to move. He is a Bishop down and it looks hopeless but, amazingly, he can force checkmate.......... |
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1......Rh1+
2.Kxh1
2......Kg3
And White is helpless against the threat of Re1 mate. |
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Black to move |
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| Puzzle 1 |
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White to play - |
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White to move |
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| Puzzle 2 |
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White to play - |
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White to move |
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Puzzles - August 4th 2009
A useful tip for the ending is to remember this rule:
“Rooks belong behind passed pawns”
A passed pawn is one which can move to the other end without being captured by pawns from the other side (in the diagrams below, it is the pawn on a4 which is passed).
Rooks are great at helping pawns get to the other end and they should be placed behind the pawn, helping to push it up the board towards the other end.
| Puzzle 1 |
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White to play - which of the following moves should be played ?
a) Rd1-d8 check followed by Ra8
b) Rd1-a1
c) a4-a5
d) Kg2-f1 |
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White to move |
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When trying to stop an opponent’s pawn getting to the other end, the Rook is again best placed behind the pawn
| Puzzle 2 |
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White to play - which of the following moves should be played ?
a) Rd1-d8 check followed by Ra8
b) Rd1-d7
c) Rd1-a1
d) Kg2-f1 |
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White to move |
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Puzzles - July 26th 2009
Just because there are less pieces on the board, the game doesn’t
become easier, or less interesting !
Here are some King and pawn puzzles for you to solve – understanding
these will make a big difference to your play.
Take the time to set the positions up on your board at home and play
through the answers.
| Puzzle 1 |
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White needs to get his pawn safely to the other end (to f8)
so he can get a new Queen and then deliver checkmate.
Which is the quickest way to do this ?
a) Kf6-g6
b) Kf6-e7
c) Kf6-e6
Why ? |
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White to move and win |
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| Puzzle 2 |
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Which is the winning move this time ?
a) d5-d6
b) Kc6-c5
c) Kc6-d6
Why ?
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White to move and win |
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| Puzzle 3 |
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Now this is a very famous (and difficult) puzzle – it
looks as though Black must be winning as the White King is so far
away from the h5 pawn.
However, there is a way for White to draw – it takes 4
or 5 moves to prove it.
See if you can work it out.
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White to move and draw |
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Thanks to Dave Graham for these puzzles.
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