Gauri chess puzzles

by ChessBase
8/8/2023 – There are chess positions, puzzles, which are not just clever. They can be very entertaining. An expert in such positions is Gauri Shankar, a chess trainer from Chicago, who has a great talent for finding such positions, and for explaining the results in instructive style. Today we how you three positions, which you can try to solve, and let Gauri show you how, if you fail to work out how.
Winning starts with what you know
The new version 18 offers completely new possibilities for chess training and analysis: playing style analysis, search for strategic themes, access to 6 billion Lichess games, player preparation by matching Lichess games, download Chess.com games with built-in API, built-in cloud engine and much more.

In the following positions you can make moves with the white pieces on the diagram boards and try to achieve the goals stated (White to play and win). The diagram will defend and only succumb if you find the right line that leads to victory. If you cannot find the solution there are links below the diagram to show you how. And there is a replay board at the end of the article on which you can analyse all the lines of the three positions.

So let's get started:

Position one
White to play and win

It may come as a surprise to you that White can actually win this position. Can you find the surprise key? And the clever follow-up moves? They involving pins and skewers. Go ahead, try to execute a forced win with the white pieces. I contains a number of exclam moves!

Position two
White to play and win

Here it is all about sacrifice – and some very spectacular kinds. If you are wondering about the defensive back moves of the diagram, you can analyse alternate defenses in the replay board at the end of this article.

Position three
White to play and win

Black is threatening ...Rg1+ and ...b1Q. White has play some clever moves to put Black into zugzwang, and keep him that way. Can you find the remarkable win?

Here are the solutions, very nicely explained by Gauri:

And here is a PGN replayer where you can analyse all aspects of the position:

New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.Bg6! Qg8 1...Qxg6 2.Ra6+ 1...Qh8 2.Ra8 Qxa8 3.Be4+ 2.Ra8! Qa2 3.Rxa4! Qg8 4.Ra8! Qxa8 5.Be4+ 1–0
  • Start an analysis engine:
  • Try maximizing the board:
  • Use the four cursor keys to replay the game. Make moves to analyse yourself.
  • Press Ctrl-B to rotate the board.
  • Drag the split bars between window panes.
  • Download&Clip PGN/GIF/FEN/QR Codes. Share the game.
  • Games viewed here will automatically be stored in your cloud clipboard (if you are logged in). Use the cloud clipboard also in ChessBase.
  • Create an account to access the games cloud.
WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Position 1 - Henri Rinck (?)-White to play and win-1–0 Gaurichess
Position 2 - Stamma-White to play and win-1–01737Gaurichess
Position 3 - Kralin-White to play and win-1–01973Gaurichess

You can click on the fan symbol below the board to get engine support.

About the author

Gauri Shankar is a FIDE Master, originally from India, who moved to the United States when he was ten years old. He has eight International Master norms, and is seeking to cross the 2400 Elo mark to get his title. He works as a chess trainer in Chicago, where he currently resides.

Gauri's decade long experience teaching chess to thousands of children has helped him become a popular online chess content creator, making entertaining and educational videos on Twitch, Youtube, Instagram and Tiktok.

Reports about chess: tournaments, championships, portraits, interviews, World Championships, product launches and more.

Discuss

Rules for reader comments

 
 

Not registered yet? Register

We use cookies and comparable technologies to provide certain functions, to improve the user experience and to offer interest-oriented content. Depending on their intended use, analysis cookies and marketing cookies may be used in addition to technically required cookies. Here you can make detailed settings or revoke your consent (if necessary partially) with effect for the future. Further information can be found in our data protection declaration.