Cumnor Chess Club
“Strategy requires thought, tactics require observation”(Max Euwe)
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Christmas Chess Puzzles
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A Merry Christmas with our 2008 chess puzzles
25.12.2008
? Once again, for all our loyal readers, no matter what shape, colour, creed
or language,
it is a time for reflection and spirituality, for family reunions, presents,
snow and sleighs, food and intemperance ? and for some mental gymnastics. This year our
traditional Christmas puzzle week is brought to you by world-class chess problemist
John Nunn. It will keep your mind alert during the festive season. Enjoy.
The problem with stalemate
White to play and mate in eight
First up this year is a straightforward mate in eight. White has an enormous material advantage and Black can’t move his king, so any check will be mate. But that’s actually the problem, as Black is currently stalemated. You have to find the right way to lift the stalemate without letting the king escape completely.
Categories: Chess Puzzles
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3 Comments
After setting this up on a real board and slowly eliminating all but one possible Knight move I manage to solve it in about 2.5 hrs. It was driving me mad until I remembered they nearly always give you a clue in the write up.
READ it carefully :-)
Steve says...
I will need to look at this again. I thought I had it solved after 15 mins, but once I checked my solution on a board I discovered that I was wrong. After studying for a further 20 mins or so, I started to go mad. This is a great problem, which should be relatively easy to solve, as the Black King has nowhere to go, and so all you need to do is to make sure Black can make a move, i.e. forced, and therefore the game will eventually play into the palm of your hand. Easier said than done?
Hi Steve,
I have spent 30 mins on this without a board and I have tried 5 different lines but still can not find the correct solution. I will have to try it on a actual board
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Forthcoming Tournaments
We would like to encourage all the juniors at the club to enter the Oxon Junior Congress 2009, which is a two day event held over Wed 8th & Thu 9th April 2009. The tournament is being held at Abingdon School. Click Here for the entry form.
Infinity Chess
For all who like to play ‘human’ Blitz chess we will have regular Blitz Nights. 1st money prize: 1’500,- Fini (= €150); this is also a Grand Prix Prix series. The next Blitz Night will be on 28.03.2009 (Sat). Further details
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