Update: 'bof' busts this problem, says it's a mate in 15. He's right. Sorry about that. I really should do a better job verifying the solutions before I publish.

8/2R5/4R3/5p1r/1pPk3r/1P3PK1/1P6/8 b - - 0 1

Advanced Problem - White To Play (131)

The forced mate is a ways out. Can you find it?

3Q4/5q1k/4ppp1/2Kp1N1B/RR6/3P1r2/4nP1b/3b4 w - - 0 1

Dress Pr0n For the 'Ettes:

Subtle changes are possible within the components of this early #1950s #EmilioSchuberth dinner dress. The fuller tulip skirt can be rearranged into a slimmer silhouette, losing the matching cummerbund. I’m not sure of the why, but I like it @AugustaAuction #fashionhistory pic.twitter.com/npNyI1LKep

— Dr Kate Strasdin (@kateStrasdin) May 24, 2021

The amount of work that went into this cotton #cutwork dress is staggering. Each shape was cut by hand and then overcast in tiny stitches creating the lace-like cloth. It seems like a cheery summer dress but is a work of enormous skill. #Vionnet early #1930s @museumatFIT pic.twitter.com/TX0oYaj2jy

— Dr Kate Strasdin (@kateStrasdin) April 29, 2021

Today's late #ootd is this 1949 gown by Edward Molyneux. I will admit that he is new to me but quickly becoming a new favorite. He worked for Lucile for a bit before opening his own house in Paris in 1919. Definitely more from him in the future. #FashionHistory @kunstmuseumdh pic.twitter.com/mtf7WycUQn

— Lauren Deutsch (@LaurenCDeutsch) January 25, 2021

Greetings From Estonia

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Problem Solutions

Beginner Problem - White To Play

8/6Q1/8/8/4q3/8/1K2p3/4k3 w - - 0 1

1.Qg1+ Kd2
2.Qc1+ Kd3
3.Qc3#

Intermediate Problem - Black To Play

8/2R5/4R3/5p1r/1pPk3r/1P3PK1/1P6/8 b - - 0 1

This was the solution I thought was correct:

1...f4+
2.Kg2

2.Kf2 results in the same line.

2...Rh2+
3.Kf1 Rh1+
4.Ke2 R5h2#

But no, it doesn't work. 'bof' called a mate in 15, and he's right. Here's how it goes:

1...f4+
2.Kf2 Rh2+
3.Ke1

(3.Kf1 Rh1+ 4. Ke2 R5h2#)

3...Rxb2
4.Rd7+ Kc3
5.Re2 Rb1+
6.Rd1 Rh1+
7.Kf2 Rbxd1
8.Re3+ Kd2
9.Re2+ Kd3
10.Re3+ fxe3+
11.Kg3 Rdg1+
12.Kf4 Rh5
13.c5 e2
14.c6 e1=Q
15.c7 Qe5#

I need to do a better job checking the solutions before publishing.

Advanced Problem - White To Play

3Q4/5q1k/4ppp1/2Kp1N1B/RR6/3P1r2/4nP1b/3b4 w - - 0 1

The tree is rather complicated:

1.Rb7 Qxb7

There are 5 other options, but they all lose quickly:

(1...Qe7+ 2.Rxe7#)
(1...gxf5 2.Rxf7+ Kh6 3.Qxf6+ Kxh5 4.Rh7#)
(1...gxh5 2.Rxf7+ Kg6 3.Qxf6#)
(1...Qg7 2.Rxg7#)
(1...Bc7 2.Qxc7 Qxc7+ (2... Rxf5 3. Qxf7+ Kh8 4. Rb8#) 3. Rxc7+ Kg8 4. Ra8#)

2.Bxg6+ Kxg6
3.Qg8+ Kxf5

(3...Kh5 4.Rh4#)
(3...Qg7 4.Qxg7+ Kxf5 5.Qg4+ Ke5 6.Re4+ dxe4 7.Qxe4#)

4.Qg4+ Ke5
5.Qh5+ Rf5

(5... f5 6. Qh8+ Qg7 7.Qxg7#)

6.f4+ Bxf4

(6...Nxf4 7.Re4+ dxe4 8.d4#)

7.Qxe2+ Bxe2
8.Re4+ dxe4
9.d4#

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.

___________

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 05:30 PM

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