1r1q1rk1/4pp2/3p1bpB/2p3N1/pp2P2Q/3P4/PPP3PP/R6K w - - 0 1

Oh, You Saucy Little Minx:

Finally getting spicier https://t.co/Z3lk5WA0t4 for my hottest mating positions 🥵 pic.twitter.com/JbhVBjOf73

— Alexandra Botez (@alexandravbotez) April 1, 2021

Intermediate Problem - White To Play (1294)

I found the solution to this problem, to be deucedly difficult to find, so I didn't know if this should be an immediate or advanced problem. I decided on intermediate because it's just a mate in 3. It actually took me several days, on and off, to find the solution and it was mighty hard to resist the temptation to give up and let my chess app solve it. But I endeavored to persevere, and I eventually found the solution.

The key is finding White's first move, which is not obvious. Once you find it, I think it's not too difficult to figure out the 3 mating lines, all of which are mates in 3. Not sure how I could provide a hint without giving it away, so let my try this. I'll just include a pop-up pic of the final board position after one of the three mating lines. Click here to see it.

I will be embarrassed if, after all this build-up, one of you figures it out quickly and makes me look bad. I may have to give up doing the chess thread in shame.

4K3/8/2k5/8/8/8/8/1Q4B1 w - - 0 1

Advanced Problem - White To Play (1299)

Find as many mating lines as you can. How many moves can Black hold out?

r1q4k/p1n1p3/2p2b1p/8/8/3Q2R1/PPP2PPP/4R1K1 w - - 0 1

Dress Pr0n For The 'Ettes:

This week's #FridayFrills is this 1910 Callot Soeurs evening gown of bright yellow satin covered with metallic and silk tulle and decorated with embroidered floral designs in metallic and silk thread. So elegant and gorgeous! #lesartsdecoratifs #FashionHistory pic.twitter.com/7HUSMveJ8J

— Lauren Deutsch (@LaurenCDeutsch) April 9, 2021

Little required in the way of embellishment here, the mix of jersey and satin is enough, curved panels that scoop around the body, some early #1960s style courtesy of #GeoffreyBeene @mfaboston #smartdesign pic.twitter.com/zr7J2QwJau

— Dr Kate Strasdin (@kateStrasdin) June 10, 2020

Red net rustling with many leaves, the strappy #1930s dress topped with a matching #cape and a looped metallic #belt. A scarlet woman bristling in bright foliage.....@GoldsteinMuseum #fashionhistory pic.twitter.com/iIJJDaxlOV

— Dr Kate Strasdin (@kateStrasdin) April 22, 2020

Greetings from Norway

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Problem Solutions

Beginner Problem - White To Play

1r1q1rk1/4pp2/3p1bpB/2p3N1/pp2P2Q/3P4/PPP3PP/R6K w - - 0 1

1.Bg7!

This creates two mating threats, Qh7# and Qh8#. So, if 1...Bxg7 then 2.Qh7#.

Or if 1...Bxg5 then 2.Qh8#.

Intermediate Problem - White To Play

4K3/8/2k5/8/8/8/8/1Q4B1 w - - 0 1

1.Qd3!!

This is the move you have to see. It took me a lot of time and experimenting to find it. No way I'd be able to find it OTB during an actual game.

What's beautiful about this move is that Black only has two squares to move his king, b7 and c7.

If 1...Kc7 then all of Black's moves are now forced: 2.Qa6 Kb8 3.Bh2#

The other flight square is b7. So:

1...Kb7
2.Qd8

And Black again has only 2 flight squares

2...Kc6 3.Qd7#

or

2...Ka6 3.Qb6#

Advanced Problem - To White Play

r1q4k/p1n1p3/2p2b1p/8/8/3Q2R1/PPP2PPP/4R1K1 w - - 0 1

1.Rxe7! starts the ball rolling.

There a number of lines here:

1...Ne8 2. Qh7#
1...Qf8 2.Qh7#
1...Bxe7 2.Qd4+ Bf6 3.Qxf6+ Kh7 4.Qg7#
1...Bg7 2.Rgxg7 Qg8 3.Rh7+ Qxh7 4.Qxh7#
1...Qg8 2.Rxg8+ Kxg8 3.Qh7+ Kf8 4.Qf7#

And then, of course, the main line:

1...Qf5
2.Qxf5 Bxe7
3.Qe5+ Bf6
4.Qxf6+ Kh7
5.Qg7#

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 05:28 PM

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