This is a position I just made up because of a contest in the March Chess Life. It’s not for the contest, though. It’s for you. What would you play here?

Solution:

First of all, if you promoted to queen or rook, it would be a stalemate. You don’t want that. If you promoted to a knight to avoid the stalemate, you would find that you can’t force mate with just two knights. However, those patting themselves on the back for seeing that promoting to a bishop would enable you to force a mate with bishop and knight (although it would take a while even if you knew the method)have to take a back seat as well. Those deserving of congratulations are those who realized you shouldn’t promote at all! There’s a mate in three with 1.Kg5 Kg8 2.Kg6 Kf8 3.a8=Q#. What’s the lesson here? While working on a complicated solution always be aware there may be a simpler one. As the late world champ Emanuel Lasker said, when you find a good move, look for a better one.

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