r1b2rk1/pp3pp1/2n4R/2p3N1/2B3q1/6Q1/PPP3PP/2K1R3 w - - 0 1

Advanced Problem - Black To Play (1464)

White's position is crumbling. What is the maximum number of moves he can hold out before the hammer comes down?

2krr3/ppp4p/2p1b2Q/5p2/4P3/q2B1P2/2P3PP/1K1R3R b - - 0 1

Dress Pr0n For the 'Ettes:

This week's #FridayFrills is this specular 1879 French ensemble. Every inch of silk is highly tailored and decorated. From the golden floral brocade to the starburst medallions to the carved golden buttons to the flower tassels, this dress screams exuberance! #FashionHistory pic.twitter.com/StBCQIEhyR

— Lauren Deutsch (@LaurenCDeutsch) October 22, 2021

Love it when the @sewingbee returns to TV and I love watching the skill of the makers who feature on the programme.

I am always in awe of the marvellous technical ability of Charles James, as seen here in this 1954 'Swan' evening gown, featuring the beautiful curved 1/2 pic.twitter.com/7plOcfA33N

— whatgrandmawore (@whatgrandmawore) April 14, 2021

What’s going on here I wonder? Two ladies studiously ignoring each other on the fringes of a ballroom or a mother & daughter arguing over dance partners? Maybe they really like each other & are planning an assignation? #1910s evening dresses with stories to tell @smithcollege pic.twitter.com/AL4GhjlDP9

— Dr Kate Strasdin (@kateStrasdin) October 28, 2021

Icelandic Sweater Girl

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Problem Solutions

Beginner Problem - Black To Play

2n2r1k/q1r1b1np/p1Pp1pp1/1p2p3/
1P2P1PN/P1R4P/B2Q1P1K/2R5 w - - 0 1

Mate in 2:

1.Nxg6+ hxg6
2.Qh6#

Intermediate Problem - White To Play

r1b2rk1/pp3pp1/2n4R/2p3N1/2B3q1/6Q1/PPP3PP/2K1R3 w - - 0 1

1. Bxf7+!

Forces the rook to come out which exposes the back rank weaknesses. There's another, longer, mate possible: 1.Nxf7 gxh6 2.Nxh6+ Kg7 3.Nxg4 Bf5 4.Qh4 Bxg4 5.Qxg4+ Kh7 6.Bd3+ Kh8 7.Qh4+ Kg7 8.Qh7+ Kf6 9.Qg6#

1...Rxf7
2.Rh8+ Kxh8
3.Re8+ Rf8
4.Rxf8#

If you like, you can start with the other rook: 2.Re8+ Rf8 3.Rh8+ Kxh8 4.Rxf8#

Advanced Problem - Black To Play

2krr3/ppp4p/2p1b2Q/5p2/4P3/q2B1P2/2P3PP/1K1R3R b - - 0 1

1...Ba2+
2.Ka1 Bb3+
3.Kb1 Rxd3

Or 3...Qa2+ 4.Kc1 Rxd3 5.Qe6+ Rxe6 6.cxd3 Qc2#

4.Qe6+

A desperate, but futile, counterattack. Because if 4.cxb3 then 4...Rxb3+ 5.Kc2 Qb2#

4...Rxe6
5.c3 Qa2+
6.Kc1 Qc2#

There's a longer mate where you bring your rook out first:

1...Rd4
2.c4 Qb3+
3.Kc1 Bxc4
4.Qd2 Bxd3
5.Qxd3 Rxd3
6.Rxd3 Qxd3
7.Rd1 Qc3+
8.Kb1 Re5
9.Rd5 cxd5
10.g4 dxe4
11.Ka2 Rb5
12.gxf5 Qa5#

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 05:25 PM

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