Thursday - September 22, 2011

Today’s Chess Problem 9/22/11

First, Wes solved the previous problem. I just quoted his solution because it is the ‘book’ solution.

Qa4+ QxQ else black looses a Q
Nc7+ Kf8
RxR+ Qe8
RxQ Mate

I’m posting this next one with misgivings. My habit when going through problem books like these is to pencil in a √ next to a solved problem. I must have improved since I first did this. The book shows moves that I’d not play as White now. Not saying White would win, but if Black does win, it’s a much harder row to hoe than the book shows. No forced win that I can find.

But, it’s the next one in the series. Maybe one of you BMEWS players can find what I haven’t. Won’t be the first time I’ve found the book is wrong.

1. … ?

Black to move and win. White’s back rank is weak. Objectively true: White controls less space, and is still undeveloped. And most of White’s pieces aren’t near enough to defend the White King. But that pin on Black’s d5 Rook is nasty.

Have at it! I’ve busted Black’s book moves at least three ways from Sunday. (anyone know the origin of that phrase?)

Oh yes, I think the score is now:

Wes: 2
Drew: 1
ozarkmatt: 1

If I’m off, let me know. I probably should keep count. Especially as I post more of these.

graphics courtesy of ExaChess.

Posted by Christopher     on 09/22/2011 at 12:28 PM   
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   Monday - September 19, 2011

Today’s Chess Problem 9/19/11

My last chess problem post got a little interesting in the comments:

Chris, a little post on how the nomenclature works would benefit everyone. It’s shorthand notation, and very terse ... I find it a bit irritating because I don’t fully understand it, and I also am not happy “leaving out the final moves as an academic exercise” even when they are blatantly obvious. I’m not much of a player so that seems wrong to me somehow.

Valid points. Here’s a Wikipedia entry on algebraic chess notation.

I even found that entry a bit ‘terse’. Here’s another article, which you can download as a pdf file.

And I will make an effort to ‘play out the final moves’… even if they are, to me, obvious. I’m just used to that. Most problem books quit after a move or two because they assume if you are reading them, you’re able to find the ‘obvious’ final moves. I guess the best way to illustrate that would be to post some of MY best games. I can at least explain how I was thinking, and why my opponent resigned/accepted the draw, or why I resigned/accepted the draw.

An example is today’s problem. Yes, queen takes knight wins the game, but it isn’t ‘all over’ when that occurs. Black rook at d7 then takes white queen at c7, white rook at d1 takes black rook at d8 for another check, black rook at c7 moves to c8 to block, and then white rook at c1 takes black rook at c8 for the mate. If it goes any other way (queen takes knight, rook takes queen, then white rook at c1 takes black rook at c7) then black can not only escape but win!

Let me address that while showing the solution to the last problem.

1. Qxc7+ Rxc7
Now, if

queen takes knight, rook takes queen, then white rook at c1 takes black rook at c7

1. Qxc7+ Rxc7
2. Rxc7?? Rxd1+ and Black is winning.
3. Bf1 (only move) Kxc7
Black is up Q and R vs. B. And it’s all forced.

Now, ‘obviously’, White didn’t even look at such a losing move when sacrificing the Queen on c7.

Back to the solution to the last problem.

1. Qx7+ Rxc7
2. Rxd8+ Rc8 (forced!)
3. R (either White R) xc8 mate

Today’s Problem:

1. ?

That’s chess notation for White to move. If it was Black to move it would be 1. … ?

So this one is White to move and win. Black’s back rank is weak.

Posted by Christopher     on 09/19/2011 at 07:18 PM   
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   Friday - September 16, 2011

Today’s Chess Problem 9/16/11

We’re on a roll! Two problems solved, two days in a row. Drew got the honors.

1b. Q f4-d4 for check
1w. R f1 - f2 to block

2b. R e8 - e1 for mate

********************

Yeah, but white could play smarter perhaps?
Posted by Drew458 United States 09/15/2011 at 05:48 PM

Your solution works as well. My book gives:

1. … Qd4+
2. Kh1 Qf2!

The book moves are prettier, but your solution solves the problem in the same number of moves. Which only goes to show that White is lost.

Well done Drew. You’ll be decent chessplayer before I die. And yes, you get bragging rights, and I’ll post this before the next problem.

The score is now

Wes: 01
Drew: 01
BMEWS: 2/6

Drew, you mentioned White could play smarter. Indeed. That’s why the book gives Kh1 vs. Rf2. You don’t want to willingly put your only defending piece in a horrible pin like that. A moot point in this case because 2. … Qf2! still wins.

Today’s problem is White to move and win. Again, weak back rank on Black’s part.

Posted by Christopher     on 09/16/2011 at 06:14 AM   
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   Thursday - September 15, 2011

Today’s Chess Problem 9/15/11

I’m happy to report that yesterday’s problem was solved by Wes:

Black plays QxP-ck White RxQ
Black Plays R-b1-ck White R-g1 or if R-f1 then Rxf1-ck R-g1
Black Plays RxR Mate
Posted by Wes United States 09/15/2011 at 04:26 PM

We have a winner!

1.  … Qxg2+
2. Rxg2 Rb1+
3. any White Rook blocking only leads to mate.

Well done!

Wes, all you get is bragging rights. And I’ll feature your solution on the next problem. But we seriously need to discuss your chess notation.
Posted by Christopher United States 09/15/2011 at 04:59 PM

Today’s is a little trickier, though I’m sure Wes will get this one too.

Black to move and win. White’s back rank is weak.

Posted by Christopher     on 09/15/2011 at 05:00 PM   
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   Wednesday - September 14, 2011

Today’s Chess Problem 9/14/11

First, let me give the solution to the previous problem.

1. Qg4 g6
2. Qe6+
(the Q is immune from capture since then White plays Rxd8+ with mate to follow.)
2 … Kh8
3. Qf6+ wins because the Q is still immune for the same reason as above.

Sorry for missing a few days. Between church and job hunting I was busy. On to today’s problem:

This time Black is to move and win. We’re still looking at weak back ranks, in this case, White’s is weak.

Posted by Christopher     on 09/14/2011 at 01:14 PM   
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   Saturday - September 10, 2011

Calvin kicked my butt!

Having too much fun with the chess posts. At least Drew and peiper are commenting. I’m gonna make them decent chess players.

In March 2002 International Master Calvin Blocker came to the Dayton Chess Club. He gave a simul. He kicked my @ss. Here’s a picture of me playing the IM.

David is a board away. He’s looking on with interest. See, David has a much higher rating than me, but both times we’ve met over-the-board, I’ve won.

Posted by Christopher     on 09/10/2011 at 05:35 PM   
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Today’s Chess Problem 9/10/11

This one is White to move and win. Black has the weak back rank.

As usual, solution posted tomorrow.

Posted by Christopher     on 09/10/2011 at 12:41 AM   
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   Friday - September 09, 2011

Today’s Chess Problem 9/9/11

Once again Black to move and win. Hint: White has a weak back rank.

Solution tomorrow.

Solution!:

1… Rxd6!
2.Qxd6 Rd8!

Posted by Christopher     on 09/09/2011 at 03:50 AM   
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   Thursday - September 08, 2011

Chess Problem 9/8/2011

Today’s chess problem does not appear to have a ‘cook’, unlike yesterday’s problem. And no, peiper, it is not a mate-in-one or two. But there is a forced mate. Black is to move and win:

Hint: White has a weak back rank.

Solution tomorrow.

Solution: Again, Black to move and win.

1… Qe8+
2. Bxe8 Rxe8+
3. Kd1 Be2+
4. Ke1 Bg4+
5. Kf1 Bh3+
6. Kg1 Re1#

Posted by Christopher     on 09/08/2011 at 07:46 AM   
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   Wednesday - September 07, 2011

Today’s Chess Problem

I’m (hopefully) going to start posting a daily chess problem. The problems will come from the book Combination Challenge! by Lou Hayes and John Hall. I’ll only be posting those that I’ve solved. I’ve got 3/4ths of the book to go. This is a public service because, as Siegbert Tarrasch said:

Chess, like love, like music, has the power to make men happy.

Today’s problem:

White to move and win.

Hint: Black’s back rank is weak. Solution posted as an update tomorrow.

Update! I’ve found a ‘cook’ to the book solution. There’s a ‘zwischenzug’ that wins for Black! Bonus points for finding both the ‘book’ solution and the ‘cook’.

Solution: The book gives:
1. Rd1! Qxe2
2. Qxg7+ Nxg7
3. Rxd8+ Ne8
4. Rxe8#

But, there’s nothing forcing Black to play 1… Qxe2. I’ve yet to find a win for White if Black plays 1… f6 instead of 1… Qxe2. In fact, I believe Black wins in all variations. This is the ‘cook’.

Posted by Christopher     on 09/07/2011 at 03:29 PM   
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   Sunday - October 10, 2010

Weekend YouTube Vids

I never have understood this song. Is Lola some early trans-gendered person?

Morningside. Possibly one of Neil Diamond’s best. This one is chess-related.

The next video shows the origins of David Letterman. Sad.

I still like the song. My wife knows if I’m playing it… well…

Posted by Christopher     on 10/10/2010 at 11:05 AM   
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