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Chess
4 Life!
By Candidate
Master Collin Madhavan
About Chess Problems
and Puzzles!
Fancy doing Chess puzzles or Chess Problems? Well
firstly, what is the difference between them? Are they the same? Well,
not really, though, in practice many of us use one for the other and
vice-versa.
A Chess puzzle is based on a position from actual play
or it is derived from some endgame, middle-game or opening study.
Puzzles usually illustrate a tactical theme, for example, overload, deflection,
pinning, etc, etc, etc. As such, most players believe that solving puzzles is a good way to improve the ability to calculate variations and to recognize the many tactical opportunities that can occur in a chess game.
It is also commonly used by coaches as a teaching technique. An
example of a puzzle, is the following endgame study.
White to checkmate in 3 moves.
(Solution:
1. Nb4+ Ka1 2. Kc1 a2 3. Nc2 mate. )
Chess problems on the other hand, are unlikely to
arise from actual play as they are all composed positions. You'll find
that in a chess problem, one side has a big advantage in material or
that the pieces appear to be arranged rather than being moved to their
respective squares. Sam Loyd (1841-1911) was one of the greatest
composers of chess problems. He's compositions were original and many
a time, a delight to play through. I remember playing through his
'organ pipes' (see below) and was amazed at how controlled the 'open'
position was.
White to checkmate in 2 moves.
(Solution:
1. Qa5
....
(a)1. ..... Bg7 2. Qb6 mate:
(b) 1...... Bh6 2. Qb6 mate:
(c) 1.... Bd6 2. Qd5 mate:
(d) 1..... Bc5 2. Qa1 mate.)
Yes, two terms need to be introduced to the reader.
The first move to the solution is known as the key and the problem can
only have one key. If there is a another move (not intended by the
composer) which solves the problem, then that move is known as a
'cook' (a second key move). This cook invalidates the problem.
Nowadays however, computers are used to assist composers check for
cooks.
We'll continue this topic next week and leave
you with an interesting chess problem to solve. It was composed this
year and you need to force checkmate in 13 (!!) moves.
Checkmate
in 13 moves.
Have
fun and remember Chess for Life!!
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