End of Opening, Start of Game
The solution to last Monday’s problem is that White can breakthrough with 1. b6! 1…Kxb6 is met by 2. Ba5+ and 1…Bxb6 is met by 2. Kb5. In this week’s problem, the opening has just finished, so in many...
View ArticleMore Transitions to the Middle Game
In last week’s problem, Black’s plan was to liberate his pieces by playing e5. White can get an advantage and stop Black’s plan by playing 1. Ne5. The idea is to follow up with f4 and Nb1-d2-f3, or Qf3...
View ArticleThe Opening to the Middle Game Again
The solution to last Monday’s problem is that White should play 1.Nd3. His plan is to launch a minority attack by playing b4 to b5. To help this plan, the Knight should be on d3 rather than f3. So it...
View ArticleOpening to Middle Game Transitions Again
In last Monday’s problem, GM Plaskett played 1.Bg5! If Black plays 1…h6 , White replies with 2. Bxf6 Bxf6 3.Qe4 In the game Black tried 1… g6 and White came up with 2.Ba6 with a winning advantage. In...
View ArticleA Complicated Combination
In last Monday’s problem, White does best to play 1.d5. It gains more space in the centre. After 1…Nb4 White can play 2. Be2 and his plan is to follow up with e4, gaining space. This week’s problem...
View ArticleAvoiding Mines
The solution to last Monday’s problem is that Black can win with 1…Rg3! This threatens 2…Rxh3+! The main line runs 2. fxg3 Ng4+ 3. Kh1 Qxg3 4. hxg4 Qxh4 mate. In this week’s problem, Black has to avoid...
View ArticleThe Two Bishops
The solution to last Monday’s problem is that Black must play 1.. Rd8. If he plays 1… Rxd5, White has 2. Qb8+ Kg7 3. Rxh7+! Kxh7 4. Rh4+ Kg7 5. Qh8 mate. You should always check why an opponent has...
View ArticleThe Two Bishops Again
The solution to last Monday’s problem is that White plays 1. c5! to get a large advantage. The Black Knight on a4 then has few squares, and the White Bishop on f1 can move to a6, helping White to take...
View ArticleWinning Pieces Without Taking Them
This week’s problem is about how to be a piece up without taking more of your opponents pieces than he has taken of yours. The solution is that you bury one of your opponent’s pieces alive so that it...
View ArticleWeak Squares Around The King
The solution to last Monday’s problem is that Black plays 1…d5!. After that , the White bishop on b3 is caged in, and can never take part in the game. Black is effectively a pieces up after he plays...
View ArticleKing and Pawn Endings – or Lazy Analysis
The solution to last Monday’s problem is that White plays 1. Qf4!. This wins after 1…Kh8 2. Qh6 Rg8 3.Rf3 Qf8 4. Qxh7+! and mates. King and Pawn endings are good at showing the perils of lazy analysis....
View ArticleWhich Check?
Last Monday’s problem reminds us that lazy analysis can cost points. If White carelessly plays 1.b7 , Black draws with 1…c5 2. Kb5 Kb7 3. Kxc5 Kc7 4. Kd5 f4! and after 5. gxf4 Kd7 Black has the...
View ArticleThink Ten Times, Play Once
The solution to last Monday’s problem is that White wins with 1.Nb8+ Kc8 2. Re8+ Kb7 3. Bc6+ Kb6 4 Qe3+ ! Ka5 5. b4+ The saying ‘Think ten times, play once’ is attributed to Franz Liszt. The idea is...
View ArticleOver The Edge
The solution to last Monday’s problem is that Kramnik as White played 1. Ng5 h6 2. Ne4 and the White knight finds a very good square on d6. This week’s problem illustrates the importance of driving...
View ArticleWinning By Playing It Safe
The solution to last Monday’s problem is that White can push Black over the edge by playing 1. Ra8. Then Black just has too many pins, pieces en prise and threats to cope with. This week’s problem...
View ArticleDefense Wins Games
The solution to last Monday’s problem is that White does best to play 1. Qf3! If Black swaps queens, the ending is easier for White to win. In the game, White won after 1… Qc1+ 2. Qf1 Qe3+ 3. Bf2 Qxa3...
View ArticleConsolidating a won game
The solution to last Monday’s problem is that White wins most cleanly with 1. Nc2!. The idea is that Rxa2 is met by 2. Qd8+ Qxd8 3. Rxd8+ Kg7 4. Na3 In this week’s problem, White has to find the...
View ArticleThe Two Bishops Again
The solution to last Monday’s problem is that White plays 1. c5! to get a large advantage. The Black Knight on a4 then has few squares, and the White Bishop on f1 can move to a6, helping White to take...
View ArticleWinning Pieces Without Taking Them
This week’s problem is about how to be a piece up without taking more of your opponents pieces than he has taken of yours. The solution is that you bury one of your opponent’s pieces alive so that it...
View ArticleWeak Squares Around The King
The solution to last Monday’s problem is that Black plays 1…d5!. After that , the White bishop on b3 is caged in, and can never take part in the game. Black is effectively a pieces up after he plays...
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