This week, we’re looking at some of the fun they used to have in the 19th century with unusual problems. One type of puzzle that was popular is presented today. It’s a really simple mate in two. The catch is that the White king isn’t in the diagram! Your task is to put the White king on the right square where his army will then be able to mate Black in two.

Solution:

This was a “Merry Christmas” problem composed by Adolph Dassenbach in 1898/99. The composer tells us to place the king on b5 whereupon White can mate in two with 1.Bxf5 Bxc6+ 2.Nxc6#; or 1...Bxf5 2.Nxf5#; 1...c4 2.Rxc4#; 1...Ne3 2.fxe3#; 1...Nb2 2.Qe3#; 1...Bd5 2.Qd3#; 1...Bf4 2.Qxe4#; 1...Ng4 2.Qxe4#; 1...Bxf3 2.Nxf3# 1...Nxf2 2.Qf2#]

Send questions and comments to PTamburro@aol.com.