29 Jul 04
As an aside to Ravello, I'm happy you started this thread. Even though they drive me nuts sometimes, I love trying to plot endgame solutions. Most of what I see on the puzzle forum tend to be unrealistic "trick" solutions that aren't practical for learning.
Trying to solve endgame scenarios from Mephisto and SirLose are, I feel, a great way to expand my creativity in the game. I have to admit that I'm still very proud of myself for figuring out the pawn mate that SirLose set up. It was an interesting combination.
Anyway, thanks! 🙂
29 Jul 04
Originally posted by DecanterIt was not a matter of our respective skills, the accuracy of formulation is important in puzzles. But enough of that. It was a very nice combination in any case. By the way, was Sirlosalot right in guessing that this was from a Morphy game?
Fair enough... your skill and knowledge level are dramatically over mine so I'm happy to defer... but I tend to ignore throwaway moves, as do the book series I use. I should have clarified that. My bad.
Either way, you plotted the mate accurately so I guess you're up.
Bring it on!
Here is another one. A combination from Nimzowitch (again).
White: Kb3 Rc7 pd5 pd6
Black: Kd8 Rh8 pe6 pf7 ph6
White plays and wins.
29 Jul 04
Originally posted by Mephisto2Hmmm, there's so much wide open that I can't figure out a likely endgame... most of what I do ends up with White Kc6, pd6 and the white rook mating Black's King at d8... but otherwise I don't think I'll be beating this one.
Here is another one. A combination from Nimzowitch (again).
White: Kb3 Rc7 pd5 pd6
Black: Kd8 Rh8 pe6 pf7 ph6
White plays and wins.
Nice puzzle, though.
29 Jul 04
Originally posted by DecanterIt is an endgame situation, not a 'mate-in-x' type of puzzle. That means you are looking for 'best play' type of moves for both sides. There are basically two good starting moves (although Nimzowich had only one in mind, probably the other one that you have come up with).
Hmmm, there's so much wide open that I can't figure out a likely endgame... most of what I do ends up with White Kc6, pd6 and the white rook mating Black's King at d8... but otherwise I don't think I'll be beating this one.
Nice puzzle, though.
29 Jul 04
Originally posted by Mephisto2I give up. Once I had in mind HOW white achieves mate, I can always find a way to force (at least) a draw. I can't beat it. Anyone else?
It is an endgame situation, not a 'mate-in-x' type of puzzle. That means you are looking for 'best play' type of moves for both sides. There are basically two good starting moves (although Nimzowich had only one in mind, probably the other one that you have come up with).
29 Jul 04
3 edits
Originally posted by Mephisto2Edit: My original post had 1.Ra7 as the answer, with the only possible attempt for Black to wriggle out of the skewer as 1...Rh7, which does no good after 2.dxe6. Then I realised I was an idiot (that was a long time coming), and saw Re8.
Here is another one. A combination from Nimzowitch (again).
White: Kb3 Rc7 pd5 pd6
Black: Kd8 Rh8 pe6 pf7 ph6
White plays and wins.
Is the solution:
1.Ra7 Re8 2.d7 Re7 d6 by any chance, or an I missing something silly again?
29 Jul 04
Originally posted by RavelloHint for the original solution by Nimzowitch: try Ra7 and how black would try to avoid losing his rook on h8.
Since an hour I'm trying,this shows how poor my chess is.........
I'll give the other solution, perhaps more effective but less attractive:
1.dxe6 fxe6 (other moves then e7+ Ke8 and Rc8+) 2.Ra7 Re8 (otherwise the rook is lost after Ra8+) 3.Kc4 h5 (or e5) 4.Kc5 h4 (or e5) Kc6 and next move checkmate, all except when black gives up his rook. That is more or less how decanter had indicated before.
But it is worth trying to find the original solution after 1.Ra7.
29 Jul 04
1 edit
Thought of that...
1. Rc7-a7, Rh8-e8
2. d6-d7, Re8-e7
or
2. Ra7-a8+, Kd8-d7
3. Ra8xe8, Kd7-e8
I can't see it working... any other suggestions?
EDIT:
Ok, never mind, Mephisto solved...
Perpetual problem with me. When I achieve a pin like you set up, I always try and play it out right away instead of bringing up other pieces in support... I TOTALLY blanked on pinning the rook and then taking the opportunity to advance the King. That's the element I was missing.
Good puzzle, Mephisto!
29 Jul 04
1 edit
Originally posted by DecanterRead my (heavily edited) post above. You had the right combination, but missed the last move, d6. If the rook takes on d7, White has mate with Ra8. Of course, as a disclaimer, I must say I could be missing something obvious.
Thought of that...
1. Rc7-a7, Rh8-e8
2. d6-d7, Re8-e7
or
2. Ra7-a8+, Kd8-d7
3. Ra8xe8, Kd7-e8
I can't see it working... any other suggestions?
EDIT:
Ok, never mind, Mephisto solved...
Perpetual problem with me. When ...[text shortened]... ing. That's the element I was missing.
Good puzzle, Mephisto!
Edit (another one): Thanks for the puzzle, Mephisto. 😉
29 Jul 04
Originally posted by dylWow. Another great solution. I like that one better because I'm WAYYY too lazy to advance the King as in Mephisto's scenario. I think that's an amazing solution....
1.Ra7 Re8 2.d7 Re7 d6 by any chance, or an I missing something silly again?
Mephisto, a ruling? 🙂
29 Jul 04
Originally posted by DecanterThat is the solution Nimzowitch described! Just to complete the line for estethical reasons: 1.Ra7 Re8 2.d7 Re7 3.d6 rxd6 Ra8#
Wow. Another great solution. I like that one better because I'm WAYYY too lazy to advance the King as in Mephisto's scenario. I think that's an amazing solution....
Mephisto, a ruling? 🙂
Much nicer than the boring 1.dxe6 line.
Any one another puzzle?
29 Jul 04
Originally posted by RavelloNo,Ravello,it shows your eager to improve.Good work,keep it up.
Since an hour I'm trying,this shows how poor my chess is.........
I agree with decanter,thanks for creating this thread.Best thread I've seen since I joined 😵
Seems like I'm too late to join the fun today :'(
29 Jul 04
Originally posted by RavelloI think I have it, but I don't want to spoil the fun for everybody. It requires a clever trick to avoid all the drawing (or even losing) lines.
Since i'm no good in solving puzzles,I'll give you one of 1924:
White:Ka6,Rb8,a5,c6
Black:Kd6,Ra8,Nb6,a7
White to play and win,looks easier than it really is.........