Level
3-Bishop
Chess Diagram
[Event "Puzzle #53"][Date "2009.01.09"][Result "1-0"][SetUp "1"][FEN "8/7K/8/5R2/3N2R1/5Q1p/2N3qp/7k w - - 0 1"]
The above puzzle is another one composed by Sam Loyd. It was published in the newspaper Hartford Globe back in 1877. Black is literally cornered and all White pieces are gathered there for the final assault. With so many options to choose from and a Black Queen still fighting like a Jedy Knight, you need to find the clear and simple path for:
White to move and mate in 2
Total available points for this puzzle is 10. The answers will be published next week together with puzzle #54.
Puzzle #52 solution:
Jacky's answer:
First I thought that Qc3 would work. BUT when I looked more closely, I saw that Black could do Kb6 without getting harmed. Then I found the real answer. It didn't seem good on the first move since you are suppose to advance toward the King, not run away like a chicken. But I finally found out that it was the only move possible for a mate in 2. I found this since you had to protect the a6, b6, a4, c4, and the Knight on c6. That's why the first move was kind of surprising. This was a much easier question than last time.
[Event "Puzzle #52"][Date "2009.01.02"][Result "1-0"][SetUp "1"][FEN "2K5/8/2N2Q2/1k6/8/1N6/2P5/8 w - - 0 1"]1.Qe7! Ka4 (1...Kc4 2.Qc5#) (1...Ka6 2.Qb7#) (1...Kxc6 2.Qc5#) (1...Kb6 2.Qb7#) 2.Qb4#
Correct solutions:
John, Joshua, Mark, James, Andy Q, Joanne, Jacky, Wilson, Karl, Jeremy - 10 points
Nathaniel, Darren - 1 point
Jacky - 1 point (for puzzle #51)
FINAL STANDINGS
1st Joshua - 180 points
2nd John - 174 points
3rd Andy Q - 146 points
Jeremy - 143 points
Mark - 141 points
Wilson - 111 points
Joanne - 106 points
Jacky - 98 points
Karl - 93 points
Darren - 77 point
James - 76 points
Nathaniel - 66 points
Katerina - 63 points
Congratulations to you all for the effort! You are becoming better players bit by bit. Beginning this week everyone starts again from zero.
White to move and mate in 2
Total available points for this puzzle is 10. The answers will be published next week together with puzzle #54.
Puzzle #52 solution:
Jacky's answer:
First I thought that Qc3 would work. BUT when I looked more closely, I saw that Black could do Kb6 without getting harmed. Then I found the real answer. It didn't seem good on the first move since you are suppose to advance toward the King, not run away like a chicken. But I finally found out that it was the only move possible for a mate in 2. I found this since you had to protect the a6, b6, a4, c4, and the Knight on c6. That's why the first move was kind of surprising. This was a much easier question than last time.
[Event "Puzzle #52"][Date "2009.01.02"][Result "1-0"][SetUp "1"][FEN "2K5/8/2N2Q2/1k6/8/1N6/2P5/8 w - - 0 1"]1.Qe7! Ka4 (1...Kc4 2.Qc5#) (1...Ka6 2.Qb7#) (1...Kxc6 2.Qc5#) (1...Kb6 2.Qb7#) 2.Qb4#
Correct solutions:
John, Joshua, Mark, James, Andy Q, Joanne, Jacky, Wilson, Karl, Jeremy - 10 points
Nathaniel, Darren - 1 point
Jacky - 1 point (for puzzle #51)
FINAL STANDINGS
1st Joshua - 180 points
2nd John - 174 points
3rd Andy Q - 146 points
Jeremy - 143 points
Mark - 141 points
Wilson - 111 points
Joanne - 106 points
Jacky - 98 points
Karl - 93 points
Darren - 77 point
James - 76 points
Nathaniel - 66 points
Katerina - 63 points
Congratulations to you all for the effort! You are becoming better players bit by bit. Beginning this week everyone starts again from zero.
Mate in 2