1k6/1Pr5/PK6/1R6/8/8/8/8 b - - 0 1

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Solutions Update

Problem 1 - White To Play

5B1R/8/7N/8/8/2b5/p1K5/k7 w - - 0 1

First, here are a couple of 5 move mates:

1.Bg7 Bxg7
2.Rd8 Bd4
3.Nf5 Bb2
4.Rd1+ Bc1
5.Rxc1#

1.Rh7 Be5
2.Rd7 Bd4
3.Bc5 Bb2
4.Rd1+ Bc1
5.Rxc1# (or 5.Bd4#)

And a 4-mover:

1.Rg8 Bd4
2.Rg1+ Bxg1
3.Bg7+ Bd4
4.Bxd4#

I'm sure there are other 4-move mates. But here's the 3 move mate:

1.Nf5!

Which threatens Rh1#.

1...Bxh8
2.Ng7! Bxg7

The only legal move for Black.

3.Bxg7#

There are couple of other responses Black can try against 1.Nf5, but the mate in 3 still holds:

1...Bb2
2.Rh1+ Bc1
3.Rxc1#

And:

1...Be1

It's a trap! If White responds by Rh1, it's stalemate.

2.Bg7+ Bc3
3.Bxc3#

I couldn't find the solution myself. Got all the 5- and 4-movers, but not the 3. Had to be watch my chess app solve it. Took about 2 seconds.

I would rate this problem: Devious.

Problem 2 - Black To Play

rn3rk1/p5pp/2p5/3Ppb2/2q5/8/PPPB2PP/R3K1NR b KQ - 0 1

This is pretty straightforward:

1...Qf1+
2.Kxf1 Bd3+
3.Ke1 Rf1#

Problem 3 - White To Play

5r1k/1p1b2pp/3N3q/4P3/pPQ1P3/6P1/P6P/2R3K1 w - - 0 1

1.Nf7+

Now Black has two choices, either take the rook or move the king. Either way, he can't escape. Let's say he chooses the latter:

1...Kg8
2.Nxh6+ Kh8
3.Qg8+ Rxg8
4.Nf7#

The classic smothered mate. This line is what I'd hoped you could see. But, since this line loses Black his queen on the 2nd move, most would avoid playing it. This leaves only:

1...Rxf7

White can now take advantage of Black's poorly defended back rank.

2. Qc8+ Bxc8

2...Be8 also does not avail after 3.Qxe8+ Rf8 4.Qxf8#

3.Rxc8+ Rf8
4.Rxf8#

White has more attackers than Black had defenders.

Problem 4 - White To Play

r1bqkbnr/pppnppp1/7p/6N1/3Pp3/8/PPP2PPP/RNBQKB1R w KQkq - 0 1

With no d-pawn and the f-pawn vulnerable to attack, Black is in serious trouble.

1. Ne6! Ngf6

The least worst option. If Black takes the knight, it's curtains: 1...fxe6 2.Qh5+ g6 3.Qxg6#

2.Nxd8

And White has a winning advantage.

Bloodbath

The 17 consecutive captures are:

12...dxc4
13.dxc4 Nxc4
14.Nxc4 Bxc4
15.Nxe5 Bxe5
16.Bxe5 Qxd1
17.Rfxd1 axb5
18.Bxb7 Rxa4
19.Rxa4 bxa4
20.Bxc7 Bxe2

And Black went on to win. The source for this is The Chess Records page of Tim Krabbé

Endgame of the Week

1k6/1Pr5/PK6/1R6/8/8/8/8 b - - 0 1

Since he's two pawns down, Black needs to see if he can force a draw. Fortunately, in this position, he can, and it's not all that difficult. The first move is key:

1...Rxb7+
2.Kc6

And not 2.axb7?, which is stalemate

2...Rxb5
3.Kxb5 Ka7

K vs. K + Rook Pawn is a dead draw, meaning, Black really, *really* has to make some monumentally stupid moves in order for White to win.

See you all next week!

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Note: that cryptic line of letters and numbers you see underneath each board diagram is a representation of the position in what is known as "Forsyth-Edwards Notation", or F.E.N. It's actually readable by humans. Most computer applications nowadays can read FEN, so those of you who may want to study the position, you can copy the line of FEN and paste into your chess app and it should automatically recreate the position on its display board. Or, Windows users can just "triple click" on it and the entire line will be highlighted so you can copy and past it into your chess app.

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So that about wraps it up for this week. Chess thread tips, suggestions, bribes, rumors, threats, and insults may be sent to my yahoo address: OregonMuse little-a-in-a-circle yahoo dott com.

posted by OregonMuse at 05:11 PM

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