PUZZLES FOR GENIUSES
CHALLENGE YOUR LIMITS! CREATIVE PUZZLES FOR DARING CHESS PLAYERS.
Strategy and Creativity Outside the Box!
Chess is much more than a simple game of pieces and boards. It's a battle of minds that requires strategy, concentration, and, above all, creativity.
In each game, we face a board full of opportunities where each move is a constant dance between the predictable and the unpredictable, between the logical and the imaginative.
This blog is dedicated to exploring how strategy can be applied in the world of creative puzzles, inviting you to discover that, in the end, it's all a matter of perspective.
1 minute before you start!
The blog begins with four exercises based on chess tactics in unusual positions.
Afterwards, you'll find some out-of-the-box exercises that require a lot of creativity to solve!
There's a link to a summary study with all the positions and solutions at the end.
I recommend going through them one by one and then checking them again so you don't see the solutions in advance!
Have fun!
Let's look at some crazy examples of completely winning positions!
(Winning positions 1) ... White moves!
It can be seen that Black has no possible moves but White can opt for the strategy: Open the a8-h1 diagonal
But how do you make the e4-pawn disappear and checkmate the queen on that diagonal? Sacrifice the rook!
(Solutions at the end!)
(Winning positions 2) ... White moves
We will now look at a difficult position where White is in the lead due to a typical combination theme:
- Placing a sixth-ranked pawn on the enemy king often compensates for a huge material disadvantage and, in this case, poses a decisive threat.
An intermediate move is necessary to achieve advantage. Forced moves!
Through checks, the pawn will be advanced, and the advantage will be definitive.
(Solutions at the end!)
Ways to draw in unclear positions
(Draw positions 1) ... White moves
In this position of equal material, White draws the game quickly and forcibly.
Is related to the stalemate. While White sacrifices the queen, his other two pieces remain motionless, so stalemate occurs in less than 3 moves!
(Solutions at the end!)
(Draw positions 2) ... White moves
This one can be more confusing. You have to know that:
- It is not possible 1. Rc1 thinking that he will promote the queen because he can do 1... bxc1=N (and you are losing).
- Nor can it be assumed that at every coronation a queen will be made.
- Finally, remember some basic endgame rules: A pawn ending (a or h) where the king is on its promotion square is a draw. It's also a draw in that case even if you have a bishop of a different color from pawn's promotion square.
(Solutions at the end!)
Beyond the Board... Out-of-the-Box Challenges
Chess trains our minds to think logically and strategically, but sometimes it's time to put the pieces aside and explore other paths.
This is where the unique challenges begin: puzzles that break the mold, spark the imagination, and invite you to think outside the box. Ready for the next move?
(Riddle 1) ... Black moves
It consists of the following:
- White will only make those moves on blue. Whatever Black does, White will only move the king toward h4.
- White must be able to make that route. If the king passes through a square where it's in check, it's wrong. Checks can occur as long as the king's next move is the next blue arrow.
- Obviously, the game follows the rules of chess, except for the white king's move, which won't move other pieces. Black can do whatever he wants for 4 moves (until the king reaches h4)
- You must be able to checkmate just as the king reaches h4. If it occurs before or a turn later, it's wrong.
(I recently discovered another way to do it, there may be more)
This must make sense...
1... (your move) 2. Kf2 (your move) 3. Kg3 (your move) 4. Kh4 (your move & ++)
(Solutions at the end!)
(Riddle 2) ... White moves from the starting position!!
It consists of the following:
- You must reach that position in 5 moves, starting as if it were a normal chess game, with all your pieces.
- After the 5 moves have been completed, the knights marked in red must have disappeared.
- Any check must be avoided; therefore, the rules of chess must be followed. Any move by any piece is permitted.
- You must decide both White's and Black's 5 moves.
This must make sense...
1. (White move) (Black move)
2. (White move) (Black move)
3. (White move) (Black move)
4. (White move) (Black move)
5. (White move) (Black move) and the position is reached!
SOLUTIONS!! (https://lichess.org/study/by/girl_loving_chess)
Thanks for watching!!