q5r1/4N1bk/pp1pP2p/2r2p2/P7/2nQ3P/1PB4B/R3R1Kb w - - 0 1

SCTV: Chess With Boris Morris

Advanced Problem - White To Play (1422)

White needs to force mate in 2 moves. That is the information that was presented when I first saw this puzzle, so it would not be fair to withhold it. The trick is to find the "key" first move, which I only found after a long period of experimentation. Which is why it's an 'advanced' problem. So you're job is to make me look bad by finding the solution quickly.

I doubt I'd be ever able to see this OTB.

2Q4K/6R1/8/8/7k/8/6rr/6R1 w - - 0 1

Dress Pr0n For the 'Ettes:

What is the bias cut? The materialisation of femininity as encounter of technology and sensuality in the 20s & 30s, we at @eurfashion say! Read more about this extraordinary technique & the woman behind it on @Europeanaeu #WomensHistoryMonth https://t.co/rmagfVzMGr@madparisfr pic.twitter.com/CjVtDjasHt

— European Fashion Heritage Association (@EurFashion) March 18, 2021

Slinky black crêpe dress, Maggy Rouff, 1935, on the bias with the bodice & shoulders covered with cut-out lace & sequined flowers, believed to have been worn by Opal Holt, who travelled extensively between WW1 & WW2 - she was on the first plane to land in Bali. Holt purchased 1/2 pic.twitter.com/xynkergXlE

— whatgrandmawore (@whatgrandmawore) March 18, 2021

#Balenciaga was not averse to a bit of embellishment but in this late #1950s evening dress he relied upon the craft of his construction to make the biggest impact. Self-coloured bows aside, it is a master class in understated elegance @KerryTaylorAuct #fashionhistory pic.twitter.com/OOBfQBd5BV

— Dr Kate Strasdin (@kateStrasdin) August 15, 2021

Greetings From the Czech Republic

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Problem Solutions

Beginner Problem - Black To Play

4r1k1/1pp1qpp1/3p3p/3P4/PPP2R2/3Q2P1/R4KP1/4r3 b - - 0 1

It's mate in 2:

1...Rf1+
2.Kxf1 Qe1#

Also

1...Rf1+
2.Qxf1 Qe3# (h/t NoOne NoHow for finding this one)

Intermediate Problem - White To Play

q5r1/4N1bk/pp1pP2p/2r2p2/P7/2nQ3P/1PB4B/R3R1Kb w - - 0 1

1. Qxf5+

I suppose this move was rather obvious.

1...Rxf5

1...Kh8?? loses immediately to 2.Qh7#

And now you have to look ahead a bit and see that knight has to deliver the mate from f7 while the bishop covers the flight square.

2.Bxf5+ Kh8
3.Ng6+ Kh7
4.Ne5+

This is the correct square the knight must go to to get to f7.

4...Kh8
5.Nf7#

Advanced Problem - White To Play

2Q4K/6R1/8/8/7k/8/6rr/6R1 w - - 0 1

1.Qc2!

There's no way I can describe how I found this move other than "I play around with the position until I found it." Now, Black has a number of possible respones:

1...Rxc2 2.Rh7#

I think that's the most obvious response. Here are some alternatives:

1...Rxg7 2.Qxh2#
1...Rxg1 2.Qh7#
1...Rg5 2.Qxh2#
1...Kh5 2.Qh7#
1...Rg3 2.Qh7#
1...Rg6 2.Qxh2#

Hope to see you 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 05:31 PM

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