ArcaMax

This week is “Attack Like a Master” week. The key word again to remember in attacking a castled king is ACCESS. You must get access to the king.

This week will be “Attack Like a Master” week. The key word to remember in attacking a castled king is ACCESS. You must get access to the king.

This position could almost be considered one of the standard opening positions to avoid as Black and to know as White. Black’s jumbled up pieces allow White to win quickly.

Here’s a mate in four by Coombs of New Zealand—with a hint! The hint is that the bishop on f2 is in on every move.

I just couldn’t resist sharing this two-mover. Have fun!

This position, composed by R.K. Guy in 1943, is really quite something. The first move is only understood 9 (!) moves later. It’s a challenge. And if you don’t get it, play through the lines. The instruction is invaluable, and the appreciation of the artistry is gratifying.

This position, from a real game—Parr-Wheatcroft, London, 1938—has a truly unique mating attack. Good luck!

Here’s a very challenging mate in three for your Labor Day enjoyment. Composed by Kurt Richter and J. Koers.

Kurt Richter was a famous attacking master. In this position, though, he is the exchange down and must find a way to save the game and win. How did he do it?

We’re continuing with a selection from the Neumann book published by McFarland (McFarlandBooks.com. In this position, Neumann finds himself a piece down (he had given odds) with a mate threatened on g2. He comes up with a great perpetual check to save the game.

If you are a chess history fan or just a fan of 19th century romantic attacking chess, McFarland has put out one of its usual magnificent clothbound gems—this time about 19th century Berlin Chess: “Neumann, Herschfeld and Suhle.” It contains 711 games with notes and authors Hans Renette and Fabrizio Zavatarelli have done a remarkable ...

You have no doubt been told, if you’ve played a while, that bishops of opposite colors endgames are drawn. A cursory look at this position would only seem to reinforce that idea; however, White has a win here!

Rook and Pawn endings are always good to review. This one requires White to take advantage of the Black king’s awkward position.

Black’s queen is being attacked by White’s, but J. Purdy as Black figured out a way to beat Vaughan in 1945.

A very instructive position in how to tear apart a castled position that has its pawns move forward. Noteboom-Promer, Prague, 1931, and make sure you include the bishop in the fun!

We have a whole game today. It is one of the best examples of what happens when you don’t develop your pieces. In this case, Black only moved his king! What should you do as White to punish Black, and can you see it all the way through to the end?

Here’s a mate in 4 that is unusual in that the final mating position is actually on the board! You just have to figure out how to make that bishop sitting on h1 the mating piece from that square.

A composition by Heyeker in 1925. Called a tough nut to crack by Maizelis. A mate in 3.

This is a composition by Prokes. It’s unusual in that the first move is really easy to find. White doesn’t have much choice but to play 1.Rg5, but then what does White do after 1…h2? SOMEBODY is going to become a promoted pawn!

Be careful! It’s not as easy as it looks.