Winning starts with what you know
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We start with three wonderful little puzzles for you to solve. You probably know that you can move the pieces on the diagrams below. For the first two we have switched on an engine to defend for Black. You must find the correct strategy to achieve your goal. You can take back moves with the cursor keys of your computer, and try different lines. The notation button below the diagram will show you the lines you have entered so far. Clicking on a move will jump to the corresponding position.
This is the second part of a famous study. Your task is to find the only moves that White must play in order to win. Every incorrect move will be firmly refuted by the live diagram. Can you find the solution – maybe even just looking at the position, before moving the pieces? Hint: you will want to go for mate and use zugzwang.
This is an amazing position, with even engines having serious problems finding the first move – the only one to secure a win. This is because in the course of the solution there are a number of strategic considerations which are required. Can you find the moves that lead to a forced win – actually a mate – for White? The diagram will defend resolutely...
This is a truly mind-bending problem, composed by one of the greatest, almost a century ago. The problem for White are the double black pawns which he is unable to stop. We will probably want to start with a bishop check, after which we must force the black king on the e-file, in order to play Re4+, which allows us to capture both pawns. Looks easy enough, except for the stalemate traps Black will spring.
For this puzzle we have switched off the diagram engine completely. You must work out everything all by yourself, moving the pieces for both sides, with no Elo 3000+ assistant telling you what to do or where you have gone wrong. Chapeau if you succeed!
The source of the problems and their solutions, with full video explanations, will be given in next week's instalment of our Puzzle Challenge. Naturally we ask you, very earnestly, not to post any solutions in the feedback section below. That would spoil the fun for readers who are still searching for the right strategies. Instead, tell us, generally, if you enjoyed the challenge the puzzles presented, if you were able to solve them, how long it took you, and whether you want more of the same.
You can write directly to the editors of the Puzzle Challenge series, describing your solving process and thoughts on the solutions. We reserve the right to quote from your message.
