24 Jun 05
Originally posted by orfeoIt is easy to understand the solution if you just replay the moves at http://www.chessbase.com/puzzle/games/puz7.htm
OMG, the day I actually attempt to understand a puzzle like this, I will know my chess addiction has reached a whole new level.
Which is not to be nasty to those of you who DO understand it, I'm just saying that anything that expects me to see more than a few moves ahead is so beyond the realms of understanding, it might as well be written in Swahili.
24 Jun 05
1 edit
Originally posted by orfeoThe length of a problem does not have much influence on its difficulty. In this case, although the solution is 272 moves, the concept (repeating zugzwang) is straightforward. I could probably post some #4 or #5 that would be harder to solve than this problem.
OMG, the day I actually attempt to understand a puzzle like this, I will know my chess addiction has reached a whole new level.
Which is not to be nasty to those of you who DO understand it, I'm just saying that anything that expects me t ...[text shortened]... e realms of understanding, it might as well be written in Swahili.
24 Jun 05
Originally posted by BigDoggProblemWell go ahead 😉
The length of a problem does not have much influence on its difficulty. In this case, although the solution is 272 moves, the concept (repeating zugzwang) is straightforward. I could probably post some #4 or #5 that would be harder to solve than this problem.
25 Jun 05
Originally posted by BigDoggProblemI am not sure what I am missing:
You're missing a black defense or two.
1...Bb2 2.Ne3#; 1...Be3 2.Nxe3# are not worth mentioning.
1...Nf8 2.exfQ+ or 1...Nf6 2.Bxf6 and 3.Rf4++# also; so we are left with
1...Bd7 and 1...Bf7 to which 2.e8Q Bxe8 3.Ne7# mates easlily; and I cannot see another sound defence.
25 Jun 05
Originally posted by ilywrin1.Bd4 h1N 2.Nxe8 Bf4! is one example.
I am not sure what I am missing:
1...Bb2 2.Ne3#; 1...Be3 2.Nxe3# are not worth mentioning.
1...Nf8 2.exfQ+ or 1...Nf6 2.Bxf6 and 3.Rf4++# also; so we are left with
1...Bd7 and 1...Bf7 to which 2.e8Q Bxe8 3.Ne7# mates easlily; and I cannot see another sound defence.
26 Jun 05
Originally posted by orfeoBigDogg was right the problem was actually not very difficult once the basic principle is understood. After some playing around it becomes clear that black is zugzwang and that must be capitalized on. Then the method to do so just jumps at you. The fact that it is a composed problem helps immensely as the unusual setup must have a purpose.
OMG, the day I actually attempt to understand a puzzle like this, I will know my chess addiction has reached a whole new level.
Which is not to be nasty to those of you who DO understand it, I'm just saying that anything that expects me to see more than a few moves ahead is so beyond the realms of understanding, it might as well be written in Swahili.
In fact having another quick look at the final position I posted the hard bit was the bit I left. Getting to where I left the problem is simple solving the remainder actually requires a lot of calculation.
27 Jun 05
Originally posted by ilywrinThe difficulty in this problem is not so much the key as it is getting a complete solution.
I see now 🙁
Okay so that variant should go
1...h1N!? 2.Kxc1 (threatens 3.Ne3🙄 2...Nc4 3.Nxe8 (4.Ng7🙄 3...Ke6 4.Ng7+ and now 4...Kf7(d7) 5.e8Q#; 4...Kxd5 5.Bg2#
Instead of 2...Nc4, Black could try 2...Nb3+.
27 Jun 05
Originally posted by BigDoggProblemDid I miss that? 🙁
The difficulty in this problem is not so much the key as it is getting a complete solution.
Instead of 2...Nc4, Black could try 2...Nb3+.
2...Nb3+ 3.Kb2 Nxd4 4.Rg3+ Ke5 5.Re3 #
Actually yes the first move is pretty obvious: it is the only that mates in 5 after 1...h1Q, so it must be the solution. I should have looked more closely in the other variant but somehow a problem always loses its charm for me after the first move has been found.
27 Jun 05
Originally posted by ilywrinI agree with you about the key to this problem. Ideally, a difficult problem should have a difficult key.
Did I miss that? 🙁
2...Nb3+ 3.Kb2 Nxd4 4.Rg3+ Ke5 5.Re3 #
Actually yes the first move is pretty obvious: it is the only that mates in 5 after 1...h1Q, so it must be the solution. I should have looked more closely in the other variant but somehow a problem always loses its charm for me after the first move has been found.