Level
4-Rook
Chess Diagram
[Event "Puzzle #50"][Date "2008.12.19"][Result "1-0"][SetUp "1"][FEN "2K4N/3PP1k1/5N2/6n1/8/8/8/8 w - - 0 1"]
Possibly this puzzle composed by Sam Loyd in 1876 was dedicated to all Knights in history. There is a real aura of mystery, loyalty, courage and honour about them, attracting people of all ages from the old times, to present days and into our distant future. Some famous examples anyone can remember: once upon a time there were the 3 Kings following the star, later on there was the order of Templar Knights, or King Arthur and the Knights of the round table. In recent times we have the Knighthood ceremony when each year a number of extraordinary people are awarded the title of Knight in person by our Queen or a member of the Royal Family.
On the chessboard we have the Knight as the only piece with magic powers: it can jump over others, giving an unexpected dynamic aspect to the Royal game. In today's puzzle we see 3 loyal Knights still fighting near the end for their King. How is it going to end? Will they have enough power to finish the task, or more magic is still needed? It is up to you to decide!
White to move and mate in 3
Total available points for this puzzle is 15. The answers will be published next week together with puzzle #51.
Puzzle #49 solution:
Darren wrote:
White's first task is to prevent 1... Kb7, which prevents the mate in three. 1.Rb1 ... does not mate after either of Black's legal moves, so White's first move is easy
See solution:
[Event "Puzzle #49"][Date "2008.12.11"][Result "1-0"][SetUp "1"][FEN "k7/8/8/4P3/8/p7/6PQ/R3K3 w Q - 0 1"]1.Qh7 {Black's best chance is} 1...a2 {At this point I thought White had a mate by 2.Rd1 a1=Q 3.Rd8# but I quickly saw that the new Queen pins Rd1} (1...Kb8 2.Rxa3 Kc8 3.Ra8#) 2.Qb1! {"Long moves" as they are sometimes called, can be very difficult to spot. The great Botvinnik once hung his Queen on g6 because he didn't see Black's Bishop on b1. Black's a-pawn is blocked and pinned, so he must play} 2...Ka7 3.Rxa2#
Correct solutions:
Mark, Darren, Andy Q, Joshua, John, Jeremy, Jacky, Karl - 15 points
Wilson, Katerina - 10 points
Standings:
Joshua - 140 points
John - 134 points
Jeremy - 133 points
Andy Q - 121 points
Mark - 116 points
Joanne - 95 points
Jacky - 87 points
Karl - 83 points
Wilson - 81 points
Darren - 66 point
Nathaniel - 65 points
Katerina - 63 points
James - 46 points
On the chessboard we have the Knight as the only piece with magic powers: it can jump over others, giving an unexpected dynamic aspect to the Royal game. In today's puzzle we see 3 loyal Knights still fighting near the end for their King. How is it going to end? Will they have enough power to finish the task, or more magic is still needed? It is up to you to decide!
White to move and mate in 3
Total available points for this puzzle is 15. The answers will be published next week together with puzzle #51.
Puzzle #49 solution:
Darren wrote:
White's first task is to prevent 1... Kb7, which prevents the mate in three. 1.Rb1 ... does not mate after either of Black's legal moves, so White's first move is easy
See solution:
[Event "Puzzle #49"][Date "2008.12.11"][Result "1-0"][SetUp "1"][FEN "k7/8/8/4P3/8/p7/6PQ/R3K3 w Q - 0 1"]1.Qh7 {Black's best chance is} 1...a2 {At this point I thought White had a mate by 2.Rd1 a1=Q 3.Rd8# but I quickly saw that the new Queen pins Rd1} (1...Kb8 2.Rxa3 Kc8 3.Ra8#) 2.Qb1! {"Long moves" as they are sometimes called, can be very difficult to spot. The great Botvinnik once hung his Queen on g6 because he didn't see Black's Bishop on b1. Black's a-pawn is blocked and pinned, so he must play} 2...Ka7 3.Rxa2#
Correct solutions:
Mark, Darren, Andy Q, Joshua, John, Jeremy, Jacky, Karl - 15 points
Wilson, Katerina - 10 points
Standings:
Joshua - 140 points
John - 134 points
Jeremy - 133 points
Andy Q - 121 points
Mark - 116 points
Joanne - 95 points
Jacky - 87 points
Karl - 83 points
Wilson - 81 points
Darren - 66 point
Nathaniel - 65 points
Katerina - 63 points
James - 46 points
Honouring all Knights