r3k2r/p4ppp/1pN5/n2P4/8/7P/P4qPB/R2R3K w - - 0 1

Advanced Problem - White To Play (1256)

Obtain a demonstrably winning position (while avoiding stalemate)

2q4R/8/4p3/3kP3/5K2/4P3/2P5/8 w - - 0 1

Dress Pr0n For The 'Ettes:

There is a swift breeze today whipping along the rugby touchline that would catch the flounces of black lace on this late #1930s @CHANEL dress making it an attractive candidate for this week’s Unsuitable Sideline Attire @metmuseum #fashionhistory pic.twitter.com/hBYiPQezKZ

— Dr Kate Strasdin (@kateStrasdin) January 27, 2019

I like the starkness of contrast here between the pale pink gathered blouse and the black tailored skirt and jacket, black silk cord appliquéd in scrolls around the hems. It is a rare example of a complete early #1890s walking costume @metmuseum #fashionhistory pic.twitter.com/RdpdhYS1C2

— Dr Kate Strasdin (@kateStrasdin) February 28, 2019

Greetings from Latvian Miss Universe contestant Ieva Kokoreviča

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Problem Solutions

Beginner Problem - White To Play

3n3r/5br1/4pk2/1p1p1p1B/pP1P1N1P/6P1/4RK2/4R3 w - - 0 1

All of Black's moves are forced.

1.Rxe6+ Bxe6
2.Rxe6+ Nxe6
3.Nxd5#

Intermediate Problem - White To Play

r3k2r/p4ppp/1pN5/n2P4/8/7P/P4qPB/R2R3K w - - 0 1

It's technically a mate in 6 only because there's a futile delaying move that only a machine would make. So if you got the mate in 5, you can declare victory:

1. Re1+ Qxe1+

And there it is. Black tosses the queen to delay the mate by one more move. Give yourself a pat on the back if you saw 1...Kf8 2.Bd6+ Kg8 3.Ne7+ Kf8 4.Nc8+ Kg8 5.Re8#

2.Rxe1+ Kf8

If 2...Kd7 then 3.Re7+ Kc8 4.Rc7#

3.Bd6+ Kg8
4.Ne7+ Kf8
5.Nc8+ Kg8
6.Re8#

Advanced Problem - White To Play

2q4R/8/4p3/3kP3/5K2/4P3/2P5/8 w - - 0 1

1.e4+!

Not 1.Rxc8?? stalemate. Now is not the time to grab the queen. Also Premature is 1.c4+? because 1...Qxc4+ and Black gains the initiative.

1...Kd4
2.c3+ Qxc3
3.Rd8+ Kc4
4.Rc8+ Kb3

And now all of White's maneuvering has paid off and the simplification is now very much in his favor:

5.Rxc3+! Kxc3
6.Kg5 Kd4
7.Kf6 Kxe4
8.Kxe6 and wins

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 paste 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 05:26 PM

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