After we posed the tricky Nabokov puzzle to you, it was hard not to think of other classics. This one is by Sam Loyd, who probably had more fun than most in composing his problems. It’s a mate in three.

Solution:

Usually in a tricky problem, the trickiest move is the first one and then everything follows. In this Loyd problem the tricky move comes later: 1.Rf4 Kxh1 [ Usually, when you show people this problem they immediately object to your playing Kxh1 and say, “Yeah, I saw that, but what happens if the king takes the pawn?” Then you show them the killer move of castling, which they never thought of: 1...Kxg3 2.0–0 Kh3 3.R1f3#]2.Kf2 Kh2 3.Rh4#

Send questions and comments to PTamburro@aol.com.