Sunday Evening Chess/Open Thread 06-26-2016 [OregonMuse]

Good afternoon morons and moronettes, and welcome to the Sunday Evening Chess/Open Thread, the only AoSHQ thread with content specifically for all of us chess nerds who pay homage in the temple of Caïssa, goddess of bughouse and blitz chess. And, for those of you who aren't nerdly enough for chess, you can use this thread to talk about checkers, or politics, or whatever you wish, only please try to keep it civil. Nobody wants to get into a pie fight on a peaceful Sunday afternoon.

And sorry I'm a day late with this, I was out of town all day yesterday.

~~White Mates In 1~~
Oops, I Meant Black Mates In 1

FEN: [6rk/1bp2Q1p/p2p4/1p2p3/5N1N/1P1P3P/1PP2p1K/8 b - - 0 1]

And for those who might be stuck on this, I've provided a hint that you can see if you swipe the blank space past the word 'Hint:' on the line below.

Hint: Underpromote

White Mates In 2

FEN: [4rr2/1ppb4/2q3pB/p3k3/3n3Q/1BP5/PP3PP1/2K5 w - - 0 1]

Nothing too fancy.

Chess Resources On Teh Internetz

If you're interested, you should check out the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St. Louis channel on YouTube. The CCSC is trying to establish itself as a major player in United Stares chess, and they've got some really awesome videos of lectures on various chess topics from international grandmasters, mostly for intermediate and advanced players, not for absolute beginners. They typically last 40-50 minutes each.

If any of you chess-playing morons know of other great sites I missed, preferably free ones, by all means, let me know in the comments.

How Does Black Win?

In this position, White's queen looks poised for an attack. But it's Black move and he can use a simple forcing tactic to eliminate the threat. How does he do it?

FEN: [6k1/1q4p1/4p1P1/4Pn1Q/8/5RB1/7K/2r5 b - - 0 1]

A Manly Chess Set

John McNamara is one of the chess thread's readers who has talent working with wood. He sent me a pic of his hand-carved chess set:

He tells me:

Board and pieces are from black walnut and red oak cut on my property

So before he could work with the wood, he had to *get* the wood, and not from a store. There's an old joke about a recipe for baking bread that starts out "Step 1: Harvest wheat." John's instructions for carving your own chess set start out similarly: "Step 1: Cut down some trees." Of course, Mr. McNamara could cut down one tree and use a dark stain to get the different colors, but he probably thinks that's a limp-wristed, pansy way to do it.

The bases are brass. To give you a size perspective, the squares are 2.5" on a side and the kings are 5" high. I think it turned out better than I expected.

The brass bases are a nice touch. And they probably add a good, solid heft to the pieces. But I'd be afraid of the metal-on-wood contact that might scratch a nice board, so I'd want to put on a felt or leather pad on the bottom of each piece. As it looks like there is.

Nice work, John.

So, if any of you morons have a hand-caved chess set, or really, any set you own that you're proud of, send me a pic. The AoSHQ pet thread has pet pics, so why can't we have chess set pics?

Are You Man Enough To Avoid Stalemate?

Yes, it is extremely unlikely that this position will ever occur in an actual game. But many a "won" game has been blown when the player who is about to lose is able to finagle a stalemate because his opponent gets overconfident and careless. So stalemate is something you always have to watch out for in the endgame.

Therefore, with all of that in mind, how does White win this game, bristling as it is with stalemate threats?

FEN: [R3R2N/4PP1k/4PB2/7K/6PP/8/2P5/Q7 w - - 0 1]

I pulled off one of these el cheapo stalemate traps in my very first tournament and my opponent was this close -><- to putting his fist through the wall. I could tell I was a little bit better player than he was and if truth be told, I should've won. But then, guess what, I got overconfident and careless and derped away the win. I wanted to tell him, look, you actually should've *lost* the game, but by then, he didn't look like he was in the mood for any post-mortem analysis, so I quietly tiptoed away with my half point.

Endgame Of The Week

FEN: [3K4/8/1k6/Rp6/8/8/8/8 w - - 0 1]

It's White to play and win. He needs to figure out how he can snatch that pawn.

___________

Solutions Update:

1.White Mates In 1

There was a bit of a trick to this. Congrats to those who remembered that a pawn advanced to the 8th rank does not necessarily have to promote to a queen. In this case,

1...f1N#

...will do nicely.

("f1N#" is algebraic notation at its most dense, and it unpacks to: Black advances his pawn to f1 and promotes it to a knight, which results in a checkmate)

2.White Mates In 2

This is pretty straightforward:

1.Qxd4+ Kf5
2.g4# 1-0

3.How Does Black Win?

The key to this is noticing that if White's king were on h1, Black could play Nxg3 and voila, knight fork. So, can Black make this happen? As a matter of fact, yes:

1...Rh1+
2.Kxh1 Nxg3+
3.Kg1 Nxh5

...and White is pretty much schlonged.

4. Are You Man Enough To Avoid Stalemate?

There's hardly any moves White can make that doesn't produce a stalemate. Let's take a look:

1.f8=Q? (oops, that's a stalemate)

1.f8=R? (so's that)

1. f8=N+? (not a stalemate, but it doesn't really get you anywhere. A possible continuation:

1...Kg8
2. Nfg6+ Kh7
3. Nf8+ Kg8
4. Nd7+ Kh7
5. c3 etc.

So the answer is ( *drum roll* ):

1. f8=B ( *cymbals clash* )

Now you can put together the mate in pretty short order:

1...Kg8
2. Bg5 Kh7
3. Qg7# 1-0

Endgame of the week:

In chess, the rule of thumb when you're trying to stop a pawn from getting to the 8th rank is that you need to use your rook to get in front of it to block it. This position, however, is an exception. If White tries to bring his rook down to keep the black pawn out of b1, he'll come up short. It might look like this:

1.Ra1 b4
2.Rb1 Kb5
3.Kc7 Kc5
4.Rc1+ Kd4
5.Kb6 b3
6.Kb5 b2
7.Rb1 Kc3
8.Ka4 Kc2

...and White can't get his King down there fast enough to keep Black from seizing control of the queening square.

Instead, White needs to come at the pawn from behind and then use harassing moves by his rook to buy time to bring his king into position. Like this:

1.Ra8 b4
2.Rb8+ Kc5
3.Kc7 Kc4
4.Kb6 b3
5.Ka5 Kc3
6.Ka4 b2
7.Ka3

...and now White can safely snatch up the pawn, with a won endgame.

___________

Note: that cryptic line of letters and numbers you see underneath each board diagram is a representation of the position in what is known as "Forsyth-Edwards Notation", or F.E.N. It's actually readable by humans. Most computer applications nowadays can read FEN, so those of you who may want to study the position, you can copy the line of FEN and paste into your chess app and it should automatically recreate the position on its display board.

___________

So that about wraps it up for this week. Chess thread tips, suggestions, bribes, rumors, threats, and insults may be sent to my yahoo address: OregonMuse little-a-in-a-circle yahoo dott com.

Posted by: Open Blogger at 06:00 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 I'll get the others.

Posted by: Y-not (@moxiemom) at June 26, 2016 05:58 PM (t5zYU)

2 I'm here, before I get to problems I had a bad week against my tablet. I'm getting up on material but loosing anyway. But have been getting better, I think.

Posted by: Skip at June 26, 2016 06:01 PM (d9qXV)

3 The White Mates in 1 hint does nothing for me, even after looking up what it means.

Posted by: chris not rock at June 26, 2016 06:03 PM (WO0/g)

4 For the first problem, I think you mean Black mates in 1.

Posted by: HTL at June 26, 2016 06:03 PM (2dzsA)

5 Ah, my weekly lesson in humility.

Posted by: Insomniac at June 26, 2016 06:06 PM (0mRoj)

6 That table and chess set is beautiful. And I understand black walnut is damn hard to work.

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at June 26, 2016 06:06 PM (mpXpK)

7 4 For the first problem, I think you mean Black mates in 1.
Posted by: HTL at June 26, 2016 06:03 PM (2dzsA)

I think you're right. The hint only makes sense for black mating in one.

Posted by: Insomniac at June 26, 2016 06:09 PM (0mRoj)

8 I think you're right. The hint only makes sense for black mating in one.

Posted by: Insomniac at June 26, 2016 06:09 PM (0mRoj)

In addition, the FEN notation tells us that it's black's move.

Posted by: HTL at June 26, 2016 06:11 PM (2dzsA)

9 8 I think you're right. The hint only makes sense for black mating in one.

Posted by: Insomniac at June 26, 2016 06:09 PM (0mRoj)

In addition, the FEN notation tells us that it's black's move.
Posted by: HTL at June 26, 2016 06:11 PM (2dzsA)

Ah. Well, I know dick about FEN notation so... :p

Posted by: Insomniac at June 26, 2016 06:12 PM (0mRoj)

10 Only 2 comments as this posting.
That is a quality chess set John.

Not getting 1st problem. Q can check but not mate and can't figure what else to do.

Posted by: Skip at June 26, 2016 06:14 PM (d9qXV)

11 Black in 1, pawn promotion as knight

Posted by: Skip at June 26, 2016 06:15 PM (d9qXV)

12 It doesn't pay to get here first, or second

Posted by: Skip at June 26, 2016 06:15 PM (d9qXV)

13 Oops. I don't know why I wrote FEN notation. That's like saying ATM machine. FEN stands for Forsythe-Edwards notation.

Posted by: HTL at June 26, 2016 06:16 PM (2dzsA)

14 White mates in one by being black

Posted by: AE at June 26, 2016 06:21 PM (4qojg)

15 In this position, White's queen looks poised for an attack. But it's Black move and he can use a simple forcing tactic to eliminate the threat. How does he do it?

Qe7?

Posted by: Insomniac at June 26, 2016 06:23 PM (0mRoj)

16 Qe4 I meant. Crap.

Posted by: Insomniac at June 26, 2016 06:25 PM (0mRoj)

17
This #trumpgirlsbreaktheinternet thing isnt bad. Some nice looking women. Will this be the secret weapon to crushing the donks???

Posted by: Bruce With a Wang! at June 26, 2016 06:27 PM (iQIUe)

18 @14 Word.

Posted by: Rachel Dolezal at June 26, 2016 06:29 PM (qVItN)

19 14
White mates in one by being black

Posted by: AE at June 26, 2016 06:21 PM (4qojg)

Cultural Appropriation.

Posted by: davidt at June 26, 2016 06:31 PM (XVTvT)

20 Heh, Foxtrot. I used to love that cartoon.

That really is beautiful work, John. I bet that gave you a great sense of satisfaction. I'm envious.

As to the "baking bread" joke, next time you see cthulhu, ask him what time it is...

(He'll go into a dissertation on how to build a clock)

Posted by: Chi at June 26, 2016 06:32 PM (O/85K)

21 The avoid stalemate solution is a close cousin to the first problem

Posted by: AE at June 26, 2016 06:33 PM (4qojg)

22 Problem 1. Qe6#

Posted by: JTB at June 26, 2016 06:45 PM (V+03K)

23 John McNamara is one of the chess thread's readers who has talent working with wood.
---------------

Wow. That's an understatement. That chess set is beautiful!

Posted by: bluebell at June 26, 2016 06:46 PM (805dc)

24 I'm too dumb to understand chess, but I want John's chess set anyway.

Posted by: stace...TEXIT at June 26, 2016 06:48 PM (ozZau)

25 2nd problem I've been looking at awhile but not seeing a clear cut check, force move, mate sort of thing.

Posted by: Skip at June 26, 2016 06:50 PM (d9qXV)

26 Damn! That chess set is beautiful. I am officially envious. My wood working skills are limited. Wonder what I can do with Play Doh.

Posted by: JTB at June 26, 2016 06:50 PM (V+03K)

27 4 For the first problem, I think you mean Black mates in 1.

Posted by: HTL at June 26, 2016 06:03 PM (2dzsA)

Aargh. Talk about derping it up.

Now fixed.

Posted by: OregonMuse at June 26, 2016 06:50 PM (XrN31)

28 25 2nd problem I've been looking at awhile but not seeing a clear cut check, force move, mate sort of thing.
Posted by: Skip at June 26, 2016 06:50 PM (d9qXV)

Driving me nuts too.

Posted by: Insomniac at June 26, 2016 06:52 PM (0mRoj)

29 26 --- My wood working skills are limited. Wonder what I can do with Play Doh.
Posted by: JTB at June 26, 2016 06:50 PM (V+03K)
---------------------
I dunno --- but I think I could play better with a Play Doh set. You could stretch and squish a pawn into a bishop when your opponent isn't looking.

Posted by: Margarita DeVille at June 26, 2016 06:55 PM (T/5A0)

30 is this where the white women are at?

Posted by: Achmen from Pakistan who gropes boobs in Cologne at June 26, 2016 06:57 PM (QIaAd)

31 28 25 2nd problem I've been looking at awhile but not seeing a clear cut check, force move, mate sort of thing.

Posted by: Skip at June 26, 2016 06:50 PM (d9qXV)

Driving me nuts too.

Posted by: Insomniac at June 26, 2016 06:52 PM (0mRoj)

Just to be on the safe side, I reconstructed the problem from the FEN string.

Turns out I did NOT make a mistake.

The solution is:

1. Real
2. Forced.
3. Straightforward. No trick moves, obscure rules, invisible pieces, etc.

Posted by: OregonMuse at June 26, 2016 06:59 PM (XrN31)

32 Watching Breakfast at Tiffany (1961) as well on TMC, didn't know it was about a apartment load of drunken sloshes

Posted by: Skip at June 26, 2016 06:59 PM (d9qXV)

33 "Oops, I Meant Black Mates In 1"

D'oh!

Posted by: Kid Tyrone at June 26, 2016 06:59 PM (2uO+M)

34 What is the etiquette behind revealing the answer to a problem here. Because I do see question 2. (assuming I haven't screwed it up)

Posted by: chris not rock at June 26, 2016 07:01 PM (WO0/g)

35 32 Watching Breakfast at Tiffany (1961) as well on TMC, didn't know it was about a apartment load of drunken sloshes

Posted by: Skip at June 26, 2016 06:59 PM (d9qXV)

You think that's bad, try watching any of the "Thin Man" movies. Holy crap, talk about lushes. Even the dog is an alcoholic.

Posted by: OregonMuse at June 26, 2016 07:02 PM (XrN31)

36 OM, Thanks for the CCSC on YouTube mention. I'll check it out. I'm finding studying chess and watching games is therapeutic. Keeps me from thinking about news stories and related BS. No kidding.

Posted by: JTB at June 26, 2016 07:03 PM (V+03K)

37 I dunno --- but I think I could play better with a Play Doh set. You could stretch and squish a pawn into a bishop when your opponent isn't looking.
Posted by: Margarita DeVille
------------------
Shape-shifting into a Bishop?
What will to see eeeevil joos think of next?!?

Posted by: Chi at June 26, 2016 07:03 PM (O/85K)

38 What is the etiquette behind revealing the answer to a problem here. Because I do see question 2. (assuming I haven't screwed it up)
Posted by: chris not rock at June 26, 2016 07:01 PM (WO0/g)

If you've got it let's see it.

First correct answer gets a lifetime platinum membership to this here blog.

Posted by: weirdflunkyonatablet at June 26, 2016 07:04 PM (oFiat)

39 To be in two without blocking moves by other pieces that's how I figured it

Posted by: Skip at June 26, 2016 07:04 PM (d9qXV)

40 34 What is the etiquette behind revealing the answer to a problem here. Because I do see question 2. (assuming I haven't screwed it up)

Posted by: chris not rock at June 26, 2016 07:01 PM (WO0/g)

Oh, I don't really know how to answer that, but it's been over an hour, so go ahead. If you're wrong, I'll point it out.

Posted by: OregonMuse at June 26, 2016 07:05 PM (XrN31)

41 26 Damn! That chess set is beautiful. I am officially envious. My wood working skills are limited. Wonder what I can do with Play Doh.
Posted by: JTB at June 26, 2016 06:50 PM (V+03K)

It's a beautiful set. I don't play.

I can glue Popsicle sticks together is my skill level

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at June 26, 2016 07:05 PM (voOPb)

42 I've seen some of the Thin Man movies very recently, last weekend I think

Posted by: Skip at June 26, 2016 07:05 PM (d9qXV)

43 Chess Resources On Teh Internetz

...

If any of you chess-playing morons know of other great sites I missed, preferably free ones, by all means, let me know in the comments.

OreganMuse and EVERYONE:

There are two ESSENTIAL sites you should have bookmarked:

1. Chessbase: http://en.chessbase.com/

The latest chess news, all day, every day. Reports from tournaments around the world, opening analysis, investigations into scandals, problems, looking at grandmaster games in detail, breaking chess news -- basically everything you'd want.

It's based in Germany but all their articles are translated into English in this "en/" version.

Most of the stuff there is for the fairly advanced user, but anyone who looks at it will feel smarter, better, and infinitely more informed.

It's basically at the same pace as AoS: usually between 4 and 8 new posts every day. Always the latest news from the top tournaments happening at any given moment -- like ESPN for chess.

Bookmark it! Do it!

2. Chessgames: http://www.chessgames.com/

Easy-to-navigate database of all historical chess games ever played, plus lots of new ones added every day. Any device, any browser, any platform, even old computers. Very handy. Also, a new problem every day, with increasing difficulty: A super easy one on Monday, then a medium easy one on Tuesday, all the way up to a super-difficult one on Sunday -- which is the one visible at the moment. at 9pm PST it will change to Monday's easy puzzle!

Plus, a game of the day every day.

Plus, in the left column, interactive playable games from current tournaments around the world, added on an hourly basis.

PLUS, best of all, there are active comment threads on many games going at all times -- snark, analysis, etc. etc.

Bookmark it! Do it!

Every chess player needs both these sites!

Posted by: zombie at June 26, 2016 07:06 PM (jBuUi)

44 if you see it call it out so we can move on.

Posted by: Skip at June 26, 2016 07:07 PM (d9qXV)

45 I can see the force moves on the second problem but I can't seem to figure out the follow up that gives checkmate.

Posted by: Insomniac at June 26, 2016 07:07 PM (0mRoj)

46 Ahem.

First correct answer gets a ~~lifetime~~ 6 month platinum membership to this here blog.

Posted by: weirdflunkyonatablet at June 26, 2016 07:04 PM (oFiat)

Now, now. Let's not be giving away the store here.

Posted by: OregonMuse at June 26, 2016 07:07 PM (XrN31)

47 I spent nearly 2 hrs on a thread in previous weeks looking for solutions

Posted by: Skip at June 26, 2016 07:09 PM (d9qXV)

48 Now, now. Let's not be giving away the store here.

Posted by: OregonMuse at June 26, 2016 07:07 PM (XrN31)

Heh. It's not a problem OM, as soon as he starts trying to use his lifetime membership just ban him.

Posted by: weirdflunkyonatablet at June 26, 2016 07:09 PM (oFiat)

49 I'm finding studying chess and watching games is therapeutic. Keeps me from thinking about news stories and related BS. No kidding.

Posted by: JTB at June 26, 2016 07:03 PM (V+03K)

Tell me about it. I've got a number of chess videos I can route via the Roku box to the big TV in the family room. Mrs. Muse thinks I'm nuts.

But I watch them for the same reason you do.

Posted by: OregonMuse at June 26, 2016 07:12 PM (XrN31)

50 I see 4 pieces checking 6 ways to start the 2nd. Anything else the black rooks or queen can start a lot of mischief.

Posted by: Skip at June 26, 2016 07:14 PM (d9qXV)

51 re: comment 43 "Chessbase":

One final detail: the folks who run the news site "Chessbase" also run a chess software company that sells the world's most popular chess analysis "engine" (chess program), so you'll see a lot of links and references on Chessbase to their other products. Feel free to ignore all of that -- and you DON'T need an account just to read the news and play through all the games, etc. The account is only to buy their stuff, which you don't need. In other words: Just ignore the ads.

Posted by: zombie at June 26, 2016 07:15 PM (jBuUi)

52 I've been painting, playing chess, and reading historical books to get away from the present crazy world.

Posted by: Skip at June 26, 2016 07:17 PM (d9qXV)

53 re: comment 43 "Chessgames":

One final detail: Although it is not necessary to have an account there either, if you DO open one -- which is free, and they never send spam, so it's safe -- you can permanently set the default "chess set" on your playable board to the much superior "Chess Viewer Deluxe II" option, instead of the default option, which is uglier.

Why they don't make "Chess Viewer Deluxe II" the default is beyond me.

Posted by: zombie at June 26, 2016 07:19 PM (jBuUi)

54 Although I've been doing better with the chess.com daily puzzle and playing against the computer, the puzzles in today's thread are stumping me. I keep seeing things I missed the first time through. Ah well, it's a learning opportunity. When the solutions are posted I'll see if I was on the right track.

OM, Thanks for the chess thread. I was out on errands for the book thread but I always read through it a couple of times.

Posted by: JTB at June 26, 2016 07:23 PM (V+03K)

55 Why they don't make "Chess Viewer Deluxe II" the default is beyond me.

Posted by: zombie at June 26, 2016 07:19 PM (jBuUi)

Probably because they didn't assume that every visitor to their site is using a Java-enabled browser.

Example: the new Microsoft 'Edge' browser in Windows 10 cannot and does not run Java. In fact, it doesn't allow *any* add-ons. So Edge users are forced to use 'Chess Web Viewer' or whatever the default is called.

Posted by: OregonMuse at June 26, 2016 07:26 PM (XrN31)

56 >>> Chessgames.com

Daily visit for me.

'Sup, chess geeks.

Posted by: fluffy at June 26, 2016 07:33 PM (eiFlk)

57 26 Damn! That chess set is beautiful. I am officially envious. My wood working skills are limited. Wonder what I can do with Play Doh.

Posted by: JTB at June 26, 2016 06:50 PM (V+03K)

I usually eat it!

Posted by: Joe Biden at June 26, 2016 07:34 PM (4A5fG)

58 Second problem: Qd4 check, Kf5, pg4 mate?

Posted by: Insomniac at June 26, 2016 07:37 PM (0mRoj)

59 To start 2
P x Kn #, (K - Q3, K-B4)
B - Kn7#, (K- Q3, K -B4)
P - B4#, (K- Q3, K- B4, K- K5)
B- B4#, (gets wacked by rook)
Q- KN3#, (K - Kn3, K -Kn 4,Kn - K5)
I give up

Posted by: Skip at June 26, 2016 07:38 PM (d9qXV)

60 Yeah, my notation sucks.

Posted by: Insomniac at June 26, 2016 07:38 PM (0mRoj)

61 Posted by: Insomniac at June 26, 2016 07:37 PM (0mRoj)

Good catch.

Posted by: OregonMuse at June 26, 2016 07:39 PM (XrN31)

62 Insomniac that's it.
See so simple, could have finished a chapter had I not came back here.

Posted by: Skip at June 26, 2016 07:41 PM (d9qXV)

63 At least the Thin Man movies had an excuse. I don't think they take place too long after Prohibition was repealed.

Posted by: Barb the Evil Genius at June 26, 2016 07:43 PM (FQKBL)

64 61 Posted by: Insomniac at June 26, 2016 07:37 PM (0mRoj)

Good catch.
Posted by: OregonMuse at June 26, 2016 07:39 PM (XrN31)

Yes! *celebratory fistpump*

Feeling slightly less retarded now!

Posted by: Insomniac at June 26, 2016 07:45 PM (0mRoj)

65 2nd problem is QxKnight and then double move the G pawn

Posted by: bensdad00 at June 26, 2016 07:47 PM (zd3um)

66
Watching Breakfast at Tiffany (1961) as well on TMC

TCM

Posted by: Bertram Cabot Jr. at June 26, 2016 07:47 PM (IqV8l)

67 Cat got dumped into the city in the rain

Posted by: Skip at June 26, 2016 07:47 PM (d9qXV)

68 But the Cat came back. He couldn't stay away.

Posted by: Barb the Evil Genius at June 26, 2016 07:48 PM (FQKBL)

69 3rd problem is sacrifice the Rook - check on H1

Posted by: bensdad00 at June 26, 2016 07:48 PM (zd3um)

70 >>>Are You Man Enough To Avoid Stalemate?

Ummm ... uh

*shart*

Posted by: Gersh Kuntzman at June 26, 2016 07:48 PM (qVItN)

71 Shark week starts in five minutes.

Posted by: Duke Lowell at June 26, 2016 07:49 PM (kTF2Z)

72 Oh boy. Looks like I missed some threads today.

Anywho, I got the first problem right away.

Posted by: rickl at June 26, 2016 07:49 PM (sdi6R)

73 Looking at end problem as have lots of these, pawn marches on, I have 1 piece.

Posted by: Skip at June 26, 2016 07:50 PM (d9qXV)

74
How Does Black Win?

In this position, White's queen looks poised for an attack. But it's Black move and he can use a simple forcing tactic to eliminate the threat. How does he do it?

Rc2 check?

Posted by: Insomniac at June 26, 2016 07:50 PM (0mRoj)

75
Shark week starts in five minutes.

Great White moves first.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot Jr. at June 26, 2016 07:51 PM (IqV8l)

76 Man enough = Is this the second problem today to require under-promotion to a Knight?

Posted by: bensdad00 at June 26, 2016 07:51 PM (zd3um)

77
I saw that when I was little and thought guys really gave girls $50 every time they had to pee.

Posted by: Bruce With a Wang! at June 26, 2016 07:52 PM (iQIUe)

78 I should call it a night, I get up at 4am, could push it to 4:30.

Posted by: Skip at June 26, 2016 07:54 PM (d9qXV)

79 74 - c2 check can be blocked by either rook or bishop with no improvement in Blacks position

Posted by: bensdad00 at June 26, 2016 07:55 PM (zd3um)

80 71 Shark week starts in five minutes.

Posted by: Duke Lowell at June 26, 2016 07:49 PM (kTF2Z)

Whew. For a second, there, I thought you said "Shart week."

I definitely do not want to watch "shart week."

Posted by: OregonMuse at June 26, 2016 07:56 PM (XrN31)

81 I've had HBO for couple of months, haven't seen a episode of GoT yet. In fact saw only about 5 minutes once, what a bloodbath.

Posted by: Skip at June 26, 2016 07:56 PM (d9qXV)

82 Watching Breakfast at Tiffany (1961) as well on TMC

TCM

Posted by: Bertram Cabot Jr. at June 26, 2016 07:47 PM (IqV8l)
=============================================

As a young teen, I had two goals. One was to marry Paul McCartney. The other was to magically turn into Audrey Hepburn. I accomplished neither. I carry the disappointment to this day.

Posted by: grammie winger, 2 Chronicles 7:14 at June 26, 2016 07:56 PM (dFi94)

83 76 Man enough = Is this the second problem today to require under-promotion to a Knight?

Posted by: bensdad00 at June 26, 2016 07:51 PM (zd3um)

Not a knight.

Posted by: OregonMuse at June 26, 2016 07:56 PM (XrN31)

84 Solutions now posted.

Posted by: OregonMuse at June 26, 2016 07:58 PM (XrN31)

85 Now I've got that chess set on my mind. Wonder if I can come up with a simplified design suitable for knives, rifflers and sandpaper. Sort of a tramp whittling style. It would make an interesting winter project. I have different woods that are suitable: bass wood, mahogany, walnut, white oak and some others. Something to think about.

Posted by: JTB at June 26, 2016 07:59 PM (V+03K)

86 Be back in about 45 minutes.

Posted by: OregonMuse at June 26, 2016 07:59 PM (XrN31)

87 I could maybe make a chess set using Legos. I'm pretty good with Legos.

Posted by: grammie winger, 2 Chronicles 7:14 at June 26, 2016 08:00 PM (dFi94)

88 Tricky 1st problem....who would've thought.

Thanks for the Chess Thread each week, it is much appreciated!

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at June 26, 2016 08:01 PM (ej1L0)

89 >>>Are You Man Enough To Avoid Stalemate?

f7-f8 promote to bishop. a1-a5-f5+-g5+-g7 mate.

Posted by: Caitlyn Jenner - PENIXIT at June 26, 2016 08:02 PM (qVItN)

90 79 74 - c2 check can be blocked by either rook or bishop with no improvement in Blacks position
Posted by: bensdad00 at June 26, 2016 07:55 PM (zd3um)

It can, but buys time to rescue the knight, which I thought was the point.

Posted by: Insomniac at June 26, 2016 08:03 PM (0mRoj)

91 I saw the guys answer above on #3 but it took me a bit to see why that works, I'm guessing your looking for letting him take the rook then you fork his queen with the knight which he can't capture with his took because that would be a revealed check. But maybe white has a better response than to move to H1 and take that rook.

Posted by: Cjw at June 26, 2016 08:04 PM (7T5tR)

92 Guess I should wait but think the endgame requires using rook to get a separation between king and pawn so to wack the pawn and not loose king.

Posted by: Skip at June 26, 2016 08:05 PM (d9qXV)

93
4. Are You Man Enough To Avoid Stalemate?

Doesn't promoting the pawn to a bishop leave the game in stalemate? I guess I'm missing something. I thought promotion to knight would be the checkmate.

Posted by: Insomniac at June 26, 2016 08:07 PM (0mRoj)

94 I have problems using the a- h, 1- 8 as I have to count it out. Guess could get labels to temporarily mark.

Posted by: Skip at June 26, 2016 08:11 PM (d9qXV)

95 Put on White House Down (2013), Maggie Gyllenhaal is in it, behind a desk. I think I should turn it off now,

Posted by: Skip at June 26, 2016 08:13 PM (d9qXV)

96 Shark Week? I've got a few movies right up that alley.

Posted by: Ian Zeiring at June 26, 2016 08:14 PM (JO9+V)

97 Ok I think I see it now.

Posted by: Insomniac at June 26, 2016 08:15 PM (0mRoj)

98 grammie winger, this is a chess set in LEGO that Mr. BTEG came up with:

http://brikwarrior.com/images/Chess1.jpg

Posted by: Barb the Evil Genius at June 26, 2016 08:15 PM (FQKBL)

99 As a young teen, I had two goals. One was to marry Paul McCartney. The other was to magically turn into Audrey Hepburn. I accomplished neither. I carry the disappointment to this day.
Posted by: grammie winger, 2 Chronicles 7:14 at June 26, 2016 07:56 PM (dFi94)

At one point I wanted to be one of Gladys Knight's Pips. Being white, female, and unable to sing or dance unfairly held me back.
Nowadays I could just identify as black, male and talented, and be good to go. Sucks to have missed that boat.

Posted by: stace...TEXIT at June 26, 2016 08:15 PM (ozZau)

100 It's easier when you set up a physical chessboard and work through it, at least for me.

Posted by: Insomniac at June 26, 2016 08:23 PM (0mRoj)

101 Nood.

Posted by: Duncanthrax at June 26, 2016 08:24 PM (OF/aZ)

102 Posted by: stace...TEXIT at June 26, 2016 08:15 PM (ozZau)
============================================

I think you would have made an awesome Pip.

I would have made an awesome Mrs. McCartney.

Posted by: grammie winger, 2 Chronicles 7:14 at June 26, 2016 08:24 PM (dFi94)

103 You think that's bad, try watching any of the "Thin Man" movies. Holy crap, talk about lushes. Even the dog is an alcoholic.

Posted by: OregonMuse at June 26, 2016 07:02 PM (XrN31)

Reporter: Well, can't you tell us anything about the case?

Nick Charles: Yes, it's putting me way behind in my drinking.

Posted by: TheQuietMan at June 26, 2016 08:25 PM (GILMl)

104 I would have made an awesome Mrs. McCartney.

Posted by: grammie winger, 2 Chronicles 7:14 at June 26, 2016 08:24 PM (dFi94)

Would you have been in Wings?

Posted by: TheQuietMan at June 26, 2016 08:26 PM (GILMl)

105 Would you have been in Wings?

Posted by: TheQuietMan at June 26, 2016 08:26 PM (GILMl)
=============================================

I never quite made the leap to Wings. I was more in the "Happy Beatles" camp. Pre-Yoko.

Posted by: grammie winger, 2 Chronicles 7:14 at June 26, 2016 08:30 PM (dFi94)

106 Don't sell yourself short, grammie. I'll bet you could have played a mean tambourine.

Posted by: bluebell at June 26, 2016 08:38 PM (805dc)

107 I'm having problems and that's with a physical chess board that I can set up problems and move pieces. But at least I have a chance doing it that way.

Posted by: Skip at June 26, 2016 08:43 PM (d9qXV)

108 100 It's easier when you set up a physical chessboard and work through it, at least for me.

Posted by: Insomniac at June 26, 2016 08:23 PM (0mRoj)

I encourage everyone to set up an actual chessboard with the problem(s) you are going to solve. I think seeing it in 3-D gives you stuff you don't see in a drawn diagram, and handling the pieces yourself and moving them around on a board also adds to your knowledge.

Posted by: OregonMuse at June 26, 2016 08:52 PM (XrN31)

109 94 I have problems using the a- h, 1- 8 as I have to count it out. Guess could get labels to temporarily mark.
Posted by: Skip at June 26, 2016 08:11 PM (d9qXV)

I originally learned descriptive notation and resisted switching to algebraic for a long time. But once I did I never looked back. It really is better.

Posted by: rickl at June 26, 2016 08:59 PM (sdi6R)

110 104 I would have made an awesome Mrs. McCartney.

Posted by: grammie winger, 2 Chronicles 7:14 at June 26, 2016 08:24 PM (dFi94)

You could show up during their recording sessions and deliver a little push-back to Yoko Ono. Tell her she was ruining the band. Swung on her with a microphone stand. I'd have paid money to have seen that.

Posted by: OregonMuse at June 26, 2016 09:00 PM (XrN31)

111 Whoa! I just figured out the third one. Nice.

Posted by: rickl at June 26, 2016 09:08 PM (sdi6R)

112 111 Whoa! I just figured out the third one. Nice.

Posted by: rickl at June 26, 2016 09:08 PM (sdi6R)

Good work.

Posted by: OregonMuse at June 26, 2016 09:55 PM (XrN31)

113 I would have made an awesome Mrs. McCartney.

Posted by: grammie winger, 2 Chronicles 7:14 at June 26, 2016 08:24 PM (dFi94)
You would have been the best by far of all of them, and Im not kidding.

Posted by: stace...TEXIT at June 26, 2016 09:56 PM (ozZau)

114 On problem 2, unless the black pawn at c7 is supposed to be a black bishop, I don't see why white's second move can't be Qf4#

What I was missing in problem 3 until you highlighted the solution was that white king's capturing the black rook at H1 pins his own rook that is protecting the white bishop, allowing black to capture the white bishop with impunity to create the K-Q knight fork.

Posted by: civil truth at June 26, 2016 10:34 PM (t3LBb)

115 Damn. I have to learn chess notation. My solution for number 2 was wrong.

Posted by: chris not rock at June 26, 2016 11:02 PM (WO0/g)

116 114 On problem 2, unless the black pawn at c7 is supposed to be a black bishop, I don't see why white's second move can't be Qf4#

Posted by: civil truth at June 26, 2016 10:34 PM (t3LBb)

Very nice. You just found a second solution to the problem. 2.Qf4 is, in fact, checkmate. Congrats.

Posted by: OregonMuse at June 26, 2016 11:04 PM (XrN31)

117 115 Damn. I have to learn chess notation. My solution for number 2 was wrong.
Posted by: chris not rock at June 26, 2016 11:02 PM (WO0/g)

A good primer for the algebraic notation I use on the chess thread is here:

https://www.chess.com/article/view/chess-notation---the-language-of-chess

I encourage everyone to learn and use it.

Posted by: OregonMuse at June 26, 2016 11:07 PM (XrN31)

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