4r3/6R1/8/8/6p1/7k/6p1/6K1 w - - 0 1

And Now, For the 'Ettes -- Dress Pr0n!

Actress Helen Hayes, 1931:

I have no idea who this is, but I think the color of her dress complements her skin and color nicely:

I've heard that there is a bit of a "science" to this, where people are classified as summer, winter, spring, or autumn, and different colors and color combinations go well with each of the different types, which is why certain colors look good on some people but not so good on others.

And I can't believe I know this stuff. Why don't I just turn in my man card right now and be done with it?

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Solutions Update

Problem 1 - White To Play

8/2p1q1pk/1p5p/1P3P2/8/5bP1/1PQ4P/6K1 w - - 0 1

Both path start with the same first step:

1.f6+!

Here is the first way:

1...Qe4
2.Qxe4+ Bxe4
3.f7 c6
4.f8=Q and White wins.

And in the second path, Black blocks with the other piece, but White still wins:

1...Be4
2.fxe7 Bxc2
3.e8=Q and White wins.

Problem 2 - Black To Play

7k/b7/8/8/7n/4q3/2Q2R2/3N1R1K b - - 0 1

1...Qh3+!

White has two possible responses, but the result is the same in either case.

2.Kg1 Nf3#

Or, White can try blocking with the rook:

2. Rh2 Qxf1#

It's a different checkmate, but it's still a checkmate.

Problem 3 - Black To Play

6k1/q4ppp/2p5/3p1P1P/8/1P5R/P1P1rr2/3Q1R1K b - - 0 1

What makes this problem tough is that the first move may be hard to see.

1...Qe3!

This move sets up everything that follows. Black has several responses. The most obvious one is to take the queen. Let's see what happens when he does.

2.Rxe3 Rh2+
3.Kg1 Reg2#

So, that didn't work out so well. What if Black moves the rook to h2?

2.Rh2 Rxh2#

That's even worse. The best response is probably

2.Rxf2

2... Qxh3+
3.Kg1 Qg3+
4.Kh1 Rxf2

Or 4...Qf3+ 5.Kg1 Qxf2+ 6.Kh1 Qg2#

5.Qg1

To protect against the mating threat on h2.

5...Qh3+
6.Qh2 Qxh2#

Problem 4 - White To Play

r2nk1r1/pb3q1p/4p3/3p2pQ/8/BP6/PP3PPP/2R1R1K1 w q - 0 1

White is currently down the exchange. But he can recover the material by:

1.Rc7! Qxh5
2.Re7+ Kf8
3.Rxb7+ Ke8
4.Re7+ Kf8
5.Rxh7+ Ke8
6.Rxh5 Kf7

And now not only has White recovered his lost piece, but he is actually up by a couple of pawns. He should win.

Endgame of the Week

4r3/6R1/8/8/6p1/7k/6p1/6K1 w - - 0 1

1. Rh7+!

Why is this such a great move? Because

1...Kg3

Black's only response. He is now ready to move his rook down to the 1st rank to deliver the checkmate. But...

2. Re7! Rd8

Not 2...Rxe7 which is stalemate.

3.Rd7 Rb8
4.Rb7 etc.

Black is unable to move his rook off the back rank. White will always be able to block it. So the game is a draw.

Hope to 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.

___________

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 05:00 PM

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