In the following diagrams, you are able to move the pieces, retract moves and try alternate lines. There is a completely new feature: when you play a move the embedded engine in the diagram will reply for the other side, after around three seconds. So you can play through the line you think will lead to success — and see it refuted if you have started with the wrong move. Note that there are twice as many puzzles in the printed CHESS Magazine — 24 as opposed to our selection of 12.
These puzzles should be solvable by most club players.
This set will require a bit more effort.
The last four positions are fairly difficult to solve, so we give you an opportunity to work things out with a stronger engine to support you. On our JavaScript board you can move pieces around, and start an engine by clicking the fan button. You can maximize the replayer, auto-play, flip the board, etc. Hovering the mouse over any button will show you its function. The little tab to the bottom right of the board tells you which side to move.
The above article is reproduced from Chess Magazine June/2018, with kind permission. The solutions to the puzzles are given at the bottom of this page. Don't peek if you can resist.
CHESS Magazine was established in 1935 by B.H. Wood who ran it for over fifty years. It is published each month by the London Chess Centre and is edited by IM Richard Palliser and Matt Read. The Executive Editor is Malcolm Pein, who organises the London Chess Classic.
CHESS is mailed to subscribers in over 50 countries. You can subscribe from Europe and Asia at a specially discounted rate for first timers here, or from North America here.
Opening Encyclopaedia 2018
ChessBase PC-DVD
RRP £89.95 SUBSCRIBERS £80.95
Six times a year ChessBase Magazine presents a number of theoretical surveys, and these can all be found on the Opening Encyclopaedia. There are now some 6,500 surveys in total on this DVD and apparently at least one for each of the 500 ECO codes, with the theoreticians contributing including the likes of Avrukh, Moskalenko and Rogozenko.
Owners of the Opening Encyclopaedia 2017 can upgrade for £54.95 (Subscribers – £49.95) by quoting the serial number or returning their current DVD to Chess & Bridge.
Order online from
The London Chess Centre or Chess4Less (USA)
Power Play 26: Checkmate Challenge –
Essential Knowledge (PC-DVD)
Daniel King; running time: 5 hrs, 51 mins
RRP £26.95 SUBSCRIBERS £24.25
Something slightly different from our columnist in his acclaimed Power Play series. Viewers have to solve 100 positions culminating in mate, which are presented in 10 groups, ranging from ones suitable for beginners to “brain- busters”. In each case, the viewer has to play out their solution on a board, after which a video pops up offering feedback from Daniel.
Order online from
The London Chess Centre or Chess4Less (USA)
You can also find these products in the ChessBase Shop
Note: in our solutions replay board you can switch on an engine (the fan icon) to analyse with machine assistance. Hovering with the mouse over individual buttons below the board and notation will indicate their function.
