Chess can be such fun!

by Anirudh Daga
7/16/2024 – Here are some chess puzzles of a different kind. Some of you might find them very easy, some quite hard. They are at least most entertaining and should bring smiles to your face. Tell us which ones you could master. Next week we will give you the solutions – and show you a video of a strong chess player solving the problems live.

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Puzzle 1

Place the two kings and two white rooks on the board so that White to play can checkmate in one move – in four different ways.

This seemingly easy yet deceptive puzzle requires you to think in a creative way. How can the pieces be placed to maximise the threats to the king, and at the same time have four different mates in one? There is only one solution – surely you can find it!

Puzzle 2

H. August, O.Brennert, T.R. Dawson, N. Hoeg, V. Onitiu, Skakbladet 1924

This position is perfectly legal, but your task is to find out what was the last move played. We will not mention whether it was played by White or Black, but there is a unique last move, which would have resulted in this position.

Puzzle 3

Niels Hoeg, Skakbladet 1924

A similar question to the one above: this is a legal position, so what was the last move played? In both positions, you must use your analytical skills and retro analytical thinking (in simple words - think both backwards and forwards!)

Here's a final chess problem, one that is bound to bring a smile to your face:

Here we want you to think about how White can win the game. Actually, he can force a mate! Guess in how many moves. Once you have thought of the strategy that White should employ, you can test it in the above diagram – which will defend for Black. Count the number of moves you need to deliver mate. Clicking on the notation button below the board will show you the moves you have entered. Cross your heart: isn't this the longest forced mate you have ever solved?

Please do not post any solutions in the feedback section below. We will give them to you next week, in a special live solving video with a strong chess player.


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Anirudh was born in Delhi, India, and now lives in Singapore. He is one of the world's most promising young problem composers, specializing in positions that are fascinating and unconventional. He became interested in chess composition after winning the Christmastide Solving Contest, at the age of twelve. Anirudh grew from strength to strength, competed at the World Chess Solving Championships, and composed numerous problems that have all found their due place in reputable problem magazines. It is his goal to spread the joy of chess composition and solving!