ArcaMax

Grandmaster Alex Baburin posted this endgame by M. Platov in 1925. I just had to post it. Very ingenious!

If you have been following the column for any time in the last 14 years, then you know what I mean by “follow rule number one.”

This position actually occurred in a game.

Since the kids are out of school, I thought I would post some tactical alertness positions I use in my teaching for the next couple of weeks. Have fun! Are you as smart as your grammar school chess playing kid? In this position Black is trying to save himself from loss.

Won by Kopayev in Moscow in 1935.

Won by Liebermann in 1935.

There’s a bit of fun in today’s puzzle. A composition by Dr. F. Mendes de Moraes. What must White do to mate in one?

A hint: This position is crying out for a back rank mate!

A hint: That bishop gets to be a key part of the mating attack!

Black’s queen is attacked, but not to worry. Black finishes off White in great style.

This game, won by Janowski years ago, ended with a pretty quick mate because his opponent’s reply to his first move was not the best defensive move. If he had played the best defensive move, it would have taken Janowski a lot longer. I worked that out, too, and it led to mate by virtue of a very extended and instructive kingside attack. It’s...

Freaky Friday here! Believe it or not, it’s a mate in 6! Why so long? The catch is that White can only move the king.

GM Nick Rossolimo was famous for his imaginative attacks. This one, from 1944, has got to be one of his best.

A fantastic finish by Paul Schmidt in 1946. How many times have you wondered whether a queen sacrifice works? Well, it works here, but can you figure it all out with all the variations?

Won by Hans Muller in a simul many years ago.

Won by Wiessinger in 1944

A finale from Botvinnik-Yudovich, 1933.

A game won by Ahues in Berlin in 1932.

In similar positions, I always ask my private students, how many times the knight on f3 is attacked?

A chess version of gymnastics to perform a checkmate.