Black to play. This position is from Jacobsen-Nimzowitsch, Copenhagen 1922. How did Nimzo terminate the game? Answers to me at The Spectator by Tuesday 20 November or via email to victoria@spectator.co.uk or by fax on 020 7681 3773. The winner will be the first correct answer out of a hat, and each week I shall be offering a prize of £20. Please include a postal address and allow six weeks for prize delivery.
White to play. This position is a variation from David Xu–Michael Basman, Simultaneous 2012. White has a quite remarkable winning move here. Can you see it? Answers to me at The Spectator by Tuesday 13 November or via email to victoria@spectator.co.uk or by fax on 020 7681 3773. The winner will be the first correct answer out of a hat, and each week I shall be offering a prize of £20. Please include a postal address and allow six weeks for prize delivery. Last week’s solution 1 ... f4 (planning ...
Black to play. This is from Velimirovic-Basman, Student Olympiad 1967. Black has just given up a piece. The justification for this sacrifice is revealed with his next move, which leads to a large advantage. What is it? Answers to me at The Spectator by Tuesday 6 November or via email to victoria@spectator.co.uk or by fax on 020 7681 3773. The winner will be the first correct answer out of a hat, and each week I shall be offering a prize of £20. Please include a postal address and allow six weeks for prize delivery. Last week’s solution Amanda March, Halesowen, West Midlands Last week’s winner 1 ...
Black to play. This position is from Belstizman-Rubinstein, Warsaw 1926. Although a great endgame master, Rubinstein could turn his hand to tactical play when the occasion required. How did he finish off here? Answers to me at The Spectator by Tuesday 30 October or via email to victoria@spectator.co.uk or by fax on 020 7681 3773. The winner will be the first correct answer out of a hat, and each week I shall be offering a prize of £20. Please include a postal address and allow six weeks for prize delivery.
White to play. This position is a variation from Vallejo Pons-Aronian, Sao Paulo/Bilbao 2012. White needs an accurate move to continue the attack. What is it? Answers to me at The Spectator by Tuesday 23 October or via email to victoria@spectator.co.uk or by fax on 020 7681 3773. The winner will be the first correct answer out of a hat, and each week I shall be offering a prize of £20. Please include a postal address and allow six weeks for prize delivery.
White to play. This is a variation from Grischuk-Gelfand, Fidé Grand Prix, London 2012. White has a number of tempting continuations but only one leads directly to mate. What is it? Answers to me at The Spectator by Tuesday 16 October or via email to victoria@spectator.co.uk or by fax on 020 7681 3773. The winner will be the first correct answer out of a hat, and each week I shall be offering a prize of £20. Please include a postal address and allow six weeks for prize delivery. Last week’s solution 1 ...
Black to play. This position is from Carlsen-Aronian, Bilbao 2012. Here Black missed a clear win. I only require the first move but look a little further and a beautiful checkmate emerges. Answers to me at The Spectator by Tuesday 9 October or via email to victoria@spectator.co.uk or by fax on 020 7681 3773. The winner will be the first correct answer out of a hat, and each week I shall be offering a prize of £20. Please include a postal address and allow six weeks for prize delivery.
This week’s puzzle is an amazing win by an eight-year-old against a Grandmaster. White to play. This position is from Josh Altman-McShane, AGON opening party , London 2012. How did White conclude? Answers to me at The Spectator by Tuesday 2 October or via email to victoria@spectator.co.uk or by fax on 020 7681 3773. The winner will be the first correct answer out of a hat, and each week I shall be offering a prize of £20. Please include a postal address and allow six weeks for prize delivery.
White to play. This is from Alekhine-Feldt, Odessa 1916. Some great masters have taken on numerous opponents simultaneously without sight of the board. Here is a blindfold finish by Alexander Alekhine. Answers to me at The Spectator by Tuesday 25 September or via email to victoria@spectator.co.uk or by fax on 020 7681 3773. The winner will be the first correct answer out of a hat, and each week I shall be offering a prize of £20. Please include a postal address and allow six weeks for prize delivery.
White to play. This position is from Akshaya Kalaiyalahan-Callum Brewer, UK Schools Challenge 2012. White concluded this game with an extraordinary tactic. What did she play? Answers to me at The Spectator by Tuesday 18 September or via email to victoria@spectator.co.uk or by fax on 020 7681 3773. The winner will be the first correct answer out of a hat, and each week I shall be offering a prize of £20. Please include a postal address and allow six weeks for prize delivery. Last week’s solution 1 ...
Black to play. This position is from Khudaya-Hou Yifan, Cheliabinsk 2007. Black has already sacrificed a piece here. What is her idea? Answers to me at The Spectator by Tuesday 11 September or via email to victoria@spectator.co.uk or by fax on 020 7681 3773. The winner will be the first correct answer out of a hat, and each week I shall be offering a prize of £20. Please include a postal address and allow six weeks for prize delivery.
White to play. This position is from Leko-Ivanchuk, Nice 2009. All three white pieces are on the kingside while the black forces are all on the queenside. The black king is somewhat vulnerable. How did Leko proceed? Answers to me at The Spectator by Tuesday 28 August or via email to victoria@spectator.co.uk or by fax on 020 7681 3773. The winner will be the first correct answer out of a hat, and each week I shall be offering a prize of £20. Please include a postal address and allow six weeks for prize delivery.
White to play. This position is from Duchamp-Smith, London 1928. Can you spot White’s artful conclusion? Answers to me at The Spectator by Tuesday 21 August or via email to victoria@spectator.co.uk or by fax on 020 7681 3773. The winner will be the first correct answer out of a hat, and each week I shall be offering a prize of £20. Please include a postal address and allow six weeks for prize delivery. Last week’s solution 1 ...
Black to play. This position is from Ledger-Jones, British Championship 2012. How did Gawain Jones smash open the white position? Answers to me at The Spectator by Tuesday 14 August or via email to victoria@spectator.co.uk or by fax on 020 7681 3773. The winner will be the first correct answer out of a hat, and each week I shall be offering a prize of £20. Please include a postal address and allow six weeks for prize delivery.
White to play. This position is from Keene-Anon, Simultaneous Display, Brighton College, 1995. What is White’s best chance to play for a win in this endgame? Answers to me at The Spectator by Tuesday 7 August or via email to victoria@spectator.co.uk or by fax on 020 7681 3773. The winner will be the first correct answer out of a hat, and each week I shall be offering a prize of £20. Please include a postal address and allow six weeks for prize delivery. Last week’s solution 1 Bc8+ Last week’s winner R.F.
White to play. This position is from Arkell-Wall, Hastings 1995. What is the most effective way for White to use the discovered check that is at his disposal? Answers to me at The Spectator by Tuesday 31 July or via email to victoria@spectator.co.uk or by fax on 020 7681 3773. The winner will be the first correct answer out of a hat, and each week I shall be offering a prize of £20. Please include a postal address and allow six weeks for prize delivery. Last week’s solution 1 ...
Black to play. This position is a variation from Commons-Gheorghiu, Lone Pine 1975. Black is two pawns down but has the chance for a tactical coup. Can you see it? Answers to me at The Spectator by Tuesday 24 July or via email to victoria@spectator.co.uk or by fax on 020 7681 3773. The winner will be the first correct answer out of a hat, and each week I shall be offering a prize of £20. Please include a postal address and allow six weeks for prize delivery. Last week’s solution 1 f6 (1 ...
